Stretch marks treated
We treat stretch marks with microneedling and laser, which get collagen production going in the torn connective tissue. That way they become flatter and less visible.
The stage decides what is achievable. Red and purple stretch marks respond best; with white ones we work on the texture. At the intake the therapist establishes where you stand.
What we look at
Colour, age and relief together decide what there is to gain. The therapist goes through those three before a plan is made.
The colour
Red or purple means there is still blood flow in it and the tissue is young. White means it has matured.
How long they have been there
The therapist asks since when you have had them. With stretch marks after a pregnancy or a growth spurt that is usually easy to date.
The relief
Do they lie level with the skin or are they sunken? That decides whether we work on colour or on texture.
Red or white
Stretch marks go through two phases. Which of the two you have decides what a treatment gives and how quickly you need to act.
- Still red or purple, usually recent
Red or purple stretch marks
striae rubrae
The skin has been stretched and the connective tissue beneath has torn. The red colour comes from the blood vessels still running through it.
Microneedling and laser get collagen production going in tissue that still responds. This is the stage where the most gain sits.
With red stretch marks there is room to improve colour and texture. How much, you hear after the assessment.
- White or silvery, often present for years
White stretch marks
striae albae
The tissue has matured. No active blood vessels run through it any more and it holds fewer pigment cells than the skin around it.
Microneedling improves the texture and makes the stretch marks less noticeable to the touch. Bringing the colour back is not possible.
With white stretch marks we work on texture and not on colour. You hear that beforehand, so you know what you are starting.
What helps and what we advise against
With stretch marks the moment counts for more than the technique. Start while they are still red and you keep the most room.
This works
- Starting while they are still red or purple, because then there is something to gain
- With stretch marks in pregnancy, waiting until after breastfeeding, and then having them assessed
- Keeping the skin supple with care you can keep up
- Agreeing a series with a moment at which we look again
- Sun protection on the spot, because fresh tissue discolours faster
We advise against this
- Waiting until they are white. That is the point where the least is left
- Creams that promise white stretch marks will disappear. That does not happen, whatever the price
- A sunbed or sun on fresh stretch marks. It only makes the difference in colour larger
- Comparing in the mirror every week. Stretch marks change over months, not weeks
What we use for this
Microneedling with the SkinPen
€ 180Medically certified microneedling. It works on the layer where the structure of your skin sits.
Dermapen 4
€ 180Microneedling with vibrating needles that pass through the skin evenly.
Fotona Scar Repair
€ 195Laser on scars: acne scars, surgical scars and stretch marks.
Frequently asked questions
Do stretch marks ever go away completely?
No. What can happen is that they stand out less: less red, flatter and less noticeable to the touch. With red stretch marks there is more to gain than with white.
Why do I have them and my sister does not?
Predisposition plays the largest part. How quickly your skin stretches and how much elastin it holds differs per person. Stretch marks also occur in people who have never gained weight.
Can I have treatment during pregnancy?
No. We wait until after the birth and breastfeeding, and then assess again. By that point they have often already become lighter.
How many appointments do I need?
That depends on the stage and on how large the area is. At the intake you hear what is needed in your case and what it costs.
Does a cream help?
Good care keeps the skin supple and that is useful. The stretch marks themselves sit in the layer beneath, and a cream does not reach there.
Book a consultation at Diba Clinics
The therapist assesses which stage your stretch marks are in and what a series can give in your case. You hear straight away what to expect from it and what it costs.
Book a consultationNot sure yet? Ask your question