Stretch Marks

WHAT IS STRETCH MARKS?

Stretch marks are coloured streaks that appear on the skin. It can be pink, red, black, brown, purple or grey. They typically occur when your skin is stretched beyond its natural limit, leaving noticeable lines upon the surface of the skin. They can appear anywhere on your body if the skin has been stretched. The most common places are the upper arms, thighs, abdomen, breast and buttock.

WHAT CAUSES STRETCH MARKS?

Stretch marks appear gradually. This can happen during puberty, a period of rapid weight gain or loss, pregnancy, or during a growth spurt. The lighter the colour of the skin, the higher the chances of getting visible stretch marks. When there is a disruption to the collagen production under your skin or when your body is producing extra cortisone, stretch marks will begin to become noticeable. Stretch marks can also be hereditary. If your parents or older relatives have had stretch marks, you are unfortunately more likely to experience them as well.

In Celevenus, we are using Fractional Co2 Laser, Intracel and Agnes RF to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

THERMAGE CPT – STRETCH MARKS

Aging doesn’t just affect the skin on our faces, our bodies see the effects too, with crepey, sagging skin and unwanted bulges, cellulite and stretch marks. Thermage skin tightening is a non-invasive way to smooth uneven, dimpled skin on the body and reduces appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.

Thermage is a facial and body treatment to tighten and lift the skin by stimulating the formation of collagen. Collagen takes several months to produce, Thermage Radio Frequency bulk heating mechanism stimulates new collagen, which gradually forms over 3 to 6 months and over this period, the patient can expect to see a fuller, more toned and lifted appearance. At the same time, the Radio Frequency also travels along the fibrous septea causing them to contract and give a contouring effect.

REDUCTION OF STRETCH MARKS

Results of Thermage CPT for stretch marks will vary from patient to patient and may not be immediate. Dr Chau may also recommend using Thermage in conjunction with Fractional Co2 Laser.

The appearance of stretch marks will reduce over time, so initially there won’t be a noticeable change. Some patients need 4 treatments, others a few more. Combining the two treatments, normally means that results are seen over a 3 – 6 months period, even on older stretch marks. Studies have shown that even the most stubborn stretch marks fade by as much as 50% after 6 months of treatment.

No longer are women forced to endure their stretch marks or hide their post pregnancy bodies. These revolutionary treatments will improve the skin appearance in no time.

WHAT KIND OF RESULTS SHOULD I EXPECT?

• Everyone can expect some collagen tightening.
• Flatter, smoother skin on the tummy, legs, knees, buttocks or arms
• Tightening, firming and lifting
• Softened wrinkles above the knees
• Reduction of crepey skin
• Smoothed dimples for temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite

IS THERE ANY DOWNTIME AFTER THE TREATMENT?

There is no downtime with Thermage. Treatment area will only appear a little flushed for the first hour after treatment.

HOW LONG / HOW MANY TREATMENTS BEFORE WE SEE RESULTS?

Thermage is a once only standalone treatment. However, most of our Thermage patients return yearly or every 2 years to maintain their results.

FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER – STRETCH MARKS

FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER

Fractional Co2 Laser is a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure that can improve the appearance of stretch marks on your skin in just a few easy treatments.

The treatment works through resurfacing the skin by stimulating the growth of new healthy skin cells. The time frame and treatment structure allow for healing to occur. The production of new collagen and elastin to replace damaged tissues also ensues.

During the procedure, short pulses of laser energy are sent into the scar tissue, caused by stretched skin, thus breaking down this scar tissue while simultaneously stimulating your cells to produce new collagen. Together this smoothens the appearance of the skin and reduces discolouration. As you have each treatment the stretch mark will gradually fade away as newer healthier skin replaces it.

HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE NEEDED TO SEE RESULTS?

Dr Chau will personalize a plan based on your skin and severity of stretch marks. He might need to combine with other procedures to further customize your treatment. You may require 4 to 5 treatments interval of 2 – 3 months apart. After each session, your skin progressively feels firmer and refreshed which leads to a faster recovery time for subsequent visits.

WILL IT BE UNCOMFORTABLE?

One of the primary advantages is that it causes little pain because it does not penetrate very deep into the skin. For most patients, a topical numbing solution is all that is needed.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY SKIN AFTER THE TREATMENT?

Patients will be advised to moisturise liberally to hydrate the skin and encourage the healing process. They can use a product they already own, or, if they do not have a suitable moisturiser, we can also recommend them a specific product for post treatment from the range we carry.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECOVER?

Healing takes just 4 to 5 days. The procedure can be performed on a Thursday or Friday so you can return to work the following Monday. Immediately following the procedure, you will notice that the skin resembles a sunburn. You will have minor sloughing on the second day. Redness will begin to fade by the 3rd day and can be easily covered by makeup on the 4th day.

WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT RESULTS?

Within 4 to 5 days, your treated skin will feel smoother and stretch marks will be less noticeable. Results depend on your condition and the number of treatments. Dr Chau will provide you with complete information about the post treatment care and results.

FRACTIONAL LASER THERAPY CAN BE USED TO TREAT:

• Acne scarring
• Surgical scars
• Stretch marks
• Age spots, patchy pigmentation
• Fine lines and wrinkles (including around the eyes)
• Skin tone and texture on the face, neck, chest and hands
• ‘Open pores’
• Sunspots or solar keratoses
• Eyelid laxity
• Under eye dark circles

INTRACEL™ RADIOFREQUENCY MICRO-NEEDLING – STRETCH MARKS

At Celevenus, we offer INTRAcel™, a skin tightening and rejuvenating system which combines micro needling with radio frequency heat to encourage the growth of new collagen which helps on the appearance for stretch marks.

INTRAcel™ helps to rejuvenate the upper layers of the skin and helps the growth of fresh skin cells which eventually form new layers of tissue.

INTRAcel™ helps reducing the problem of stretch marks depending on three Techniques of micro needling, fraction, and radiofrequency in stimulating collagen and elastin in the matrix of the dermis make the stretch marks less deep, less red, and less prominent.

INTRAcel™ is one of our most popular skin treatments at CeleVenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic. In Singapore, we are labelled as Number One for doing the most INTRAcel™ treatments for patients.

EFFECTIVE SKIN TIGHTENING TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF STRETCH MARKS

INTRAcel™ delivers radio frequency heat energy directly into the damaged dermis using hair fine micro needles. This process stimulates new collagen growth and tightens the skin resulting in a smoother complexion. Differing from laser treatments, INTRAcel™ does not rely on electro energy for heat; the insulated micro-needles only penetrate at 0.3mm and the radio frequency energy is emitted only in the dermis and not at a superficial level.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

Generally, the skin will begin to feel smoother and tighter even after the 3rd treatment, but the results from the treatment will continue to improve for up to six months. The results are variable, depending on the original quality of the skin and degree of damage to be treated.

HOW MANY INTRACEL™ TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

The number of treatments required will depend on the area being treated and the quality of the skin. Dr Chau will discuss this in your consultation, but generally at least 6 treatments are recommended. Each treatment is ideally spaced between 4-6 weeks apart, but treatment plans can be flexible.

WHAT IS THE DOWNTIME?

Using tiny insulated micro-needles, INTRAcel™ treatment, unlike laser procedures or surgery, protects the surface of the skin from damage -significantly reducing downtime. Patients have been known to go out on the evening of the treatment and return to normal daily life the next day.

*All individual results are a full treatment of 6 sessions over a 4-week period and results may vary