When choosing a method of removing stretch marks, you might consider laser surgery stretch mark removal as an option.

Stretch marks are formed when a persons body grows at a rate that is faster than the persons skin can stretch. The lower level of skin called the dermis actually tears. When it tears, scars are formed and the result is that you can see the unsightly, off colored stretch marks.

The most well known causes of stretch marks is pregnancy. Other reasons that a person might develop stretch marks are.

• Puberty - Many adolescents grow at a very rapid rate during puberty. The skin is naturally more elastic during adolescence but some kids really grow too fast for their skin to adapt and this can cause stretch marks.
• Body Building - Some people who participate in body building grow at a very rapid rate too. If muscle mass grows too quickly, the dermis will tear and cause stretch marks.
• Rapid weight gain. Obesity is one of the leading causes of stretch marks. The skin can be stretched way beyond what it is capable of handling.

Laser surgery stretch mark removal is a way of reducing the appearance of stretch marks.

Lasers for use in stretch mark removal were approved by the FDA in the year of 2002. The lasers used for stretch mark removal are similar to those used in laser eye surgery. The procedure is safe and effective for most patients.

Lasers can remove stretch marks by removing the layer of scared skin and promoting new, healthy skin growth. The laser used for stretch mark removal is called an eximer laser. This unique laser doesn't cut or burn the skin like other lasers. Instead it employees a method of skin disintegration known as albation. The laser is actually a high energy ultra violet beam of light that breaks down the skin cells.

After the treatment, new healthy skin grows in to replace the unhealthy stretch marks.

After the treatment, the skin is going to be a little sensitive. The skin may appear red and blisters may form.  The skin will often resemble a burn.   The damaged skin has been removed by the laser treatments and it will take a little time to heal.  Most patients report that the skin is healing nicely within a weeks time.

Some stretch marks that are old and more severe may require more intensive therapy.  Due to the fact that there is more disruption of the skin, it makes sense that the healing process will be lengthened.

Best results are achieved when stretch marks are slowly treated over a period of several sessions.  Some patients may require as many as ten or more sessions.  Some factors that determine the length of time that the process takes are: age of the patient, age of the stretch marks, and severity of the stretch marks.

Some people heal faster than others.  The healing time between sessions may vary from patient to patient thereby affecting the total time that the treatment process will take.

Just like any other medical procedure, there are certain risks involved.  The doctor that you choose should be very experienced in laser stretch mark removal.  The laser used has the ability to disintegrate the stretch marks.  In inexperienced hands, it is also capable of causing more extensive tissue damage that may result in more scaring. 

Choose your dermatologist carefully.  A doctor in a one horse town is not likely to have near as much experience or expertise as a doctor in a larger city. 

There are risks of blistering after the procedure.  Blistering is a result of the body reacting to prevent infection on burned areas of skin.  Precautions should be taken to avoid infection while undergoing the treatments.

The procedure is considered safe and risks are minimal for laser stretch mark removal.

Laser stretch mark removal is generally very safe and effective.  The eximer laser is very precisely controlled which makes it effective and gentle on the tissue.

Most patients are very satisfied with the results.  It is a safe method of stretch mark removal.  It is also less expensive than other forms of cosmetic surgery.  The recovery time is also much shorter.

If you are considering your options on having stretch marks removed, Laser stretch mark removal may be a great way to go.

Here's a great little video on laser stretch mark removal.  Hopefully it's helpful to you.