All About Laser Treatment for Stretch Marks and Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty and laser treatment for stretch marks are two of the most sought after methods to eliminate stretch marks. If you're trying to choose between the two procedures, you should first compare them with each other for you to come up with a more informed decision.

What They Are For

Laser treatment for stretch marks is a relatively new area in cosmetic surgery. Some critics feel that there is a need to study laser treatment for stretch marks further before it can be considered a valid procedure for stretch mark elimination.

Although it is not a procedure for stretch mark removal, abdominoplasty has been around longer than laser treatment and is also used as method for cosmetic surgery. People who want to get a tummy tuck simply want to get rid of a few extra stubborn fats on the tummy that do not respond well to dieting and exercise. The removal of stretch marks is simply an added bonus.

Before the Procedure

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a more risky procedure and it is even considered as a major operation. Your surgeon may require you to undergo some extensive preparation. Your doctor will first spend some sessions with you discussing the procedure, risks and more importantly, assessing your validity as a candidate. You may also have to spend some time being medically counseled about your decision to undergo abdominoplasty.

Compared to tummy tuck, laser treatment is less invasive as a procedure and may even be done by your dermatologist.

Who Are Candidates

For abdominoplasty, candidates should be close to their ideal weight and must only have a certain minimal fat to be removed. They should also be physically and emotionally stable and should have realistic expectations. Sometimes a tummy tuck may not be able to remove all the visible stretch marks. It is also understood that the procedure will leave you with a big external scar.

The best candidate for laser treatment for stretch marks is someone who has fresh stretch marks that are still colored pink or purple. Mature stretch marks may not respond to laser treatment for stretch marks. Some experts also say that there will still be visible streaks but will be less obvious.

Recovery

Compared to abdominiplasty, laser treatment will require less time for recovery. The procedure involves little pain and no external scars at all. Abdominiplasty on the other hand is a procedure that may require weeks of recuperation. You may also experience some swelling and pain on the treated area.

What Are the Side Effects and Risks?

Compared to abdominaplasty, laser treatment has only very little known side effects. A little temporary reddening of the area may be the only thing you have to endure. In the hands of an incompetent practitioner however, you might suffer from minor tissue injury.

Abdominoplasty may open you up to more side effects and risks. Aside from the swelling and pain, you are also at risk of infections and irritations. A slip from your surgeon may also result in organ damage.

Cost

Laser treatment for stretch marks is considerably less expensive than abdominoplasty. Costs for laser treatment for stretch marks may range anywhere from $400-$1500 while abdominoplasty costs may range from $5,000-$9,000.

By: Maia Pells

Five Myths About How to Eliminate Stretch Marks

With the many ineffective methods to eliminate stretch marks, its easy to understand why people can lose hope. Before you pick a method however, it is well worth your time to first check what works and what doesn't.

Myth #1: There are many medical procedures for stretch marks elimination

Currently, only abdominoplasty is the only known surgical method that works on the condition. This method however will only remove marks in the tummy area and is very risky and expensive. It is not even originally intended for such purpose but for extra fat removal. Only those who are close to their ideal body weights and have only a little fat to remove are considered good candidates for abdominoplasty.

Other medical procedures include dermabrasion and laser treatment. As most people would know however, dermabrasion is simply a more complicated form of exfoliation which is only a marginally effective method. Laser treatment on the other hand is a new method that does not have a long and proven track record in removing it.

Myth #2: Getting a tan can get rid of the marks.

Because of silvery color, most people have the misconception that they can cover up stretch marks with a tan. This however, will only serve to worsen the whitish appearance of stretch marks as the surrounding healthy skin darkens in color. This is because stretch marks are scars and if you've ever tried to tan a scar, you would know that they are particularly resistant to color changes. Most of us also know that tanning is not always very safe.

Myth #3: Using make-up to cover stretch marks.

Make ups are not treatments. These products do not remove the scars but just mask them. This may be a good technique but only for a limited time. Even the most water resistant make-up will eventually lose its grip at the beach or in the water.

Myth #4: Weight loss can solve stretch marks.

There are some people who believe that since gaining weight caused the condition, losing weight can remove it. As scars, they will stay put even if you manage to agreed thin. You may however, be able to reduce your chances of getting it if you have never been overweight to begin with. A healthy diet and exercise can keep you from rapidly expanding in body size.

Myth #5: Stretch mark product is the answer to the problem.

The reason why creams have received a lot of criticism is because there are really a lot of products out there that cannot effectively solve the problem. These products put a bad name on reputable brands.

Make sure to read product specifications, ingredient content and instructions for use to get the best out of your lotion or cream. If you have very sensitive skin, you would do better with an all natural product that will not expose you to dangerous side effects.