Stretch Marks and Scars

Life leaves a mark, and those marks aren’t always what we want to show off. For some, stretch marks and scars are unwanted reminders of injuries and weight fluctuations. For others, the appearance prevents them from feeling comfortable wearing shorts or bathing suits. We feel that there’s no shame in scars or stretch marks; however, if yours are making you feel uncomfortable in your own skin, we’re here to help with proven treatments to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and other blemishes.

What Causes Stretch Marks and Scars?

Stretch marks are caused by rapid stretching of the skin, leaving behind a thin, discolored scar. Stretch marks are thinner areas of skin, which also makes them more prone to irritation, itching, and rashes. They can be brown, red, or white in appearance and often appear in the belly area, flanks, thighs, and backside. Stretch marks are caused by rapid weight gain, including pregnancy, although teenagers can get them during growth spurts. Stretch marks are harmless and pose no health risk to patients.

Scars are primarily caused by injuries, surgeries, and chronic skin irritation like acne or rashes. These different causes for scarring create varied scars in size, color, and texture. They can take the appearance of:

• Darkened patches of skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Raised or rough, elevated skin
• Pockmarks, icepick scars

The type of scars you have will determine which procedures are best for you to see results.

Do You Have Stretch Marks or Scars?

If you have stretch marks or scars and you’re tired of living with their appearance on your skin, there is help available at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana (LASSI), located in Indianapolis. Our board-certified dermatologic surgeon and a team of dermatology and skin care experts offer non-surgical and surgical solutions to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.

Your Consultation

During your first appointment at the LASSI, we will evaluate the skin imperfections that you want to have treated. Understanding the cause of the scars or stretch marks, where they are on your body, and what they look like will help us offer you the best treatments to reduce their appearance.

The consultation process will also involve full health and medical history, looking at medications and supplements you take, skin care products and topical medications you are using, and other relevant personal or family history. This process helps us determine which procedures we can safely administer to provide you with your desired results.

We will also discuss expectations for your treatment, providing you with information about what your results will look like and how many treatments you’ll need to reach your goals. If you have questions about how much you can expect in scar and stretch mark reduction, please speak with our team for more information.

Why Choose the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana for Stretch Mark or Scar Removal?

Unlike many skin care clinics that offer procedures to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks in Indianapolis, the LASSI is led by board-certified dermatologic surgeon Dr. C. William Hanke. This provides you with advanced care under the supervision of a physician who specializes in skin conditions and surgery. You’ll know that all of your treatments will be proven solutions to resolve your greatest skin complaints. Furthermore, our Indianapolis dermatology practice is a licensed clinical trials facility, testing the latest procedures for skin conditions, facial rejuvenation, and more.

Proven Solutions for Scars and Stretch Marks in Indianapolis at the LASSI

At the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, we offer surgical and non-surgical solutions for scars and stretch marks. These include:

• Laser treatments
• Microneedling
• Injectable dermal fillers
• Minimally invasive surgical options

Laser Treatments: Laser Skin Resurfacing & Pulsed Dye Lasers

CO2 laser skin resurfacing procedures, performed by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hanke, will be customized to your needs, treating an area as small or as large as necessary. We can spot treat scars anywhere on the body or perform full-face ablative laser skin resurfacing for a larger area of scarring. Discuss your options during your personalized consultation with Dr. Hanke and our dermatology team.

For stretch marks, the VBeam pulsed dye laser is the procedure of choice, especially for reddened stretch marks.

Microneedling

Microneedling creates micro-injuries to the skin using very fine needles. This breaks up scar tissue while speeding up cellular regeneration and turnover. Microneedling is also called Collagen Induction Therapy because it stimulates collagen and elastin production. These youthful building blocks also produce smoother skin texture and tone.

For scars and stretch marks, we may also recommend adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to your microneedling treatment, as this speeds up and improves healing and rejuvenation. If PRP isn’t right for you, we will use other topical skin care products. The micro-injuries created by the microneedling treatment allow for deeper penetration of nourishing, skin healing ingredients.

A treatment series of three or more microneedling treatments will be recommended; this can also be combined with other treatments, such as lasers.

Injectable Dermal Fillers

For pockmark or icepick scars, such as those caused by chronic, inflammatory acne, another option is injectable dermal fillers. The injections using fine gauge needles help break up scar tissue while the filler itself plumps up and smooths the skin’s appearance. For scar reduction, we will likely recommend a hyaluronic acid filler like Restylane or Juvederm, which will also increase youthful plumpness and moisture to the area. Over time and through a series of treatments, your skin’s appearance will improve.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Solutions

By coming to a dermatology clinic, you will also have the opportunity to explore minimally invasive surgical options for scar reduction. These include dermabrasion, subcision, and
punch replacement grafts; these are offered for some of our acne scar patients but can be used for other scars as well.

Schedule Your Consultation for Cosmetic Treatment of Scars and Stretch Marks in Indianapolis at the LASSI

Are you ready to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks? Schedule a consultation at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana today. Dr. Hanke and our team of expert dermatology providers in Indianapolis look forward to helping you feel great about how you look at every stage of life.