If you're noticing stretch marks on your body, you're not alone. Most girls and women have stretch marks, which tend to show up on the breasts, thighs, hips, and butt.

Board Certified Chicago Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Sam Speron is widely recognized as an expert on Chicago laser stretch mark reduction.Lasers are the newest technology to attack the unsightly look of stretch marks. Lasers can help improve stretch marks, however, no treatment can yet make a stretch mark go all the way back to looking like totally normal skin. They can reduce red stretch marks, diminish white marks, improve the texture and make them look better, even in some cases so that you can't see them very easily, but stretch marks are still an area where we improve the problem but don't remove it. There are no 'perfect' treatments for stretch marks. A series of treatment sessions are usually needed to obtain the best results.

What are Strecth Marks?

Stretch Marks are a common term used to describe a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. Stretch marks are caused by tearing of the dermis. With time, the color can fade from red & can diminish but not disappear completely.

Stretch marks are usually caused by rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth (common in puberty) or weight gain (e.g. pregnancy, muscle building or fat). Stretch marks may also be influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, muscle building, steroids or hormone replacement therapy.

Permanent Stretch Mark Removal

If other therapies don't work, you can try cosmetic surgery. White stretch marks on your body can be permanently removed with this premium but effective option. Stretch marks may be removed from your abdomen with a cosmetic treatment called a tummy tuck, sometimes referred to as an abdominoplasty. The skin and belly seem flatter and firmer after this surgery. It's crucial to realize, however, that surgery itself may create scars. Some of the scars are in well hidden areas such as for a tummy tuck or butt, thigh, arm or breast lift but not every scar can be placed in a hidden area.

Do Strecth Mark Creams really work?

While the current crop of products claiming to reduce or eliminate stretch marks is rapidly increasing, research regarding their efficacy remains at a bare minimum.  These products can be rubbed into the skin to improve your skin tone.  There are no studies to prove that any of these truly get rid of stretch marks. Others have tried using Retinols or AHAs to improve the "texture" of the skin to lessen the appearance of stretch marks. 

Concentrating on Exercise and a diet rich in Fiber, Fruits and Vegetables will help reduce the appearance of stretch marks .  Exercise increases blood circulation and helps you sweat out toxins your body produces.  Exercise helps build muscle tone and reduces your body fat and gives you endurance and energy.  Drinking lots of water flushes your body of toxins and cleans out your system.  Eating a diet high in fiber helps clean out your arteries.  Fiber can be found in Fruits and vegetables which also contain amounts of water to help flush your system.  Diets high in fat not only block the arteries, but allows fat to get stuck in the connective tissues.  Diets high in salt increase water retention and cause your body to feel bloated.  In short, be careful of thinking there is a magic cream that will eliminate stretch marks.  Minimal improvement at best is all you should expect.  Any improvement you get usually goes away once you stop using the product.

What is the newest in Laser Stretch Mark Reduction?

Syneron laser stretch mark reduction is a simple non-surgical procedure used to stimulate the tightening of stretch marks.  This is an on-going treatment that may never give the results you desire.  Usually 4-8 treatments are recommended. If you are not maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercise and healthy diet, you will see little improvement.  While Laser stretch marks reduction has no downtime, it is an on-going treatment that usually requires “maintenance” treatments.  A more dramatic difference can be achieved with surgically removing the stretch mark, like in a tummy tuck or body lifting surgery depending on exactly where the stretch marks are at.

Dr. Sam Speron is a Chicago Laser Stretch Marks Reduction and is widely recognized by the media as a leading expert on Chicago plastic surgery and Chicago cosmetic surgery. Dr. Speron is a Chicago Plastic Surgeon and proud member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Dr. Speron is Board-Certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.