SkinCare Physicians Doctors

Stretch marks – What are they and what can lasers do?

Published on Mar 1st, 2018 by Laurel Morton, MD

Many individuals are self-conscious about their stretch marks, including teenagers, adults, men and women. While not harmful to the health, nobody enjoys seeing them in the mirror.  Unfortunately, once stretchmarks appear they don’t go away. The good news is that cosmetic dermatology practices, such as SkinCare Physicians in Brookline Mass, have effective laser treatments that can significantly improve their appearance.  But first, let’s understand what causes stretch marks.

Why do stretch marks appear?

Stretch marks are distinct lines on the skin that can occur after any relatively quick stretching of the skin. Causes include teenage growth spurts, weight gain, pregnancy and rapid muscle gain in weight lifters.  Several medical conditions and medications can also contribute to the formation of stretch marks.

What do stretch marks look like?

Stretch marks are noticeable because their color and texture can differ from normal, adjacent skin. Their color can vary from pink to white and sometimes the stretched skin is thinner.

What can you do about stretch marks?

Fortunately, the appearance of stretch marks can be improved with simple, in-office laser procedures. Cosmetic laser surgeons can customize a laser treatment protocol based on what bothers a patient most about their stretch marks. Some patients care most about the pink color of stretch marks and others are bothered by their texture. We have specific lasers best for each of these concerns. Areas that are frequently treated include the upper arms, chest, abdomen, love handles and thighs.

Improve the color of stretch marks:

Stretch marks vary in color, generally related to how long they have been present. In light skin tones, new stretch marks tend to be pink, often appearing inflamed or irritated. As stretch marks age, they sometimes become lighter and more similar to normal skin tone. The pink color can be due to the increased number or appearance of blood vessels. This is often the most visible and distressing characteristic of stretch marks. Lasers that target red color and blood vessels are most helpful in improving or eliminating the pink color of stretch marks. There are several lasers in this category including Pulsed Dye Lasers and KTP lasers. Results can be seen with 3 to 6 treatments done at monthly intervals.

Improving the texture of stretch marks:

The skin of stretch marks is often thin or atrophic. This change is similar to what occurs in some scars. By utilizing the same types of lasers used to improve scars (such as acne scars), our cosmetic dermatologists can greatly improve the appearance of stretch marks. The most frequently used laser for this purpose is the Fraxel Restore. This device works by delivering columns of energy to the skin to promote collagen remodeling and regrowth. During this process, the skin of stretch marks begins to look more and more like normal skin. While it can be difficult to eliminate stretch marks altogether, after a series of 4-6 Fraxel treatments, stretch marks become much more difficult to see.

If you are bothered by the color or the texture of your stretch marks know that our cosmetic dermatology practice has effective laser devices to treat them. Book a consultation with one of Skincare Physicians’ dermatologists in Brookline MA to discuss your options.

You may also like:

Those stubborn stretch marks: Don’t despair, non-invasive laser treatments work!

Leave a Reply

Fields marked with * are required.

Back to top

Our Promise

Our team of renowned physicians and experienced support staff is committed to excellence in medical skin care and cosmetic procedures with a patient-centered focus for women and men in the greater Boston area and beyond.

Request a Consultation

Contact Us

The form below should not be used by patients to communicate clinical questions to SkinCare Physicians. It is not a patient portal. If your message is of an urgent, clinical or confidential nature, please call us instead at 1-617-383-8201.

Fields marked * are required


Terms of Use*
By checking the box on the contact form, you agree to the Terms of Use listed here: Communications through our website or via email are not encrypted and are not necessarily secure. Use of the internet or email is for your convenience only, and by using them, you assume the risk of unauthorized use. By checking this box you hereby agree to hold SkinCare Physicians, its doctors and affiliates, harmless from any hacking or any other unauthorized use of your personal information by outside parties.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Physician society logos

SkinCare Physicians®

1244 Boylston Street (Route 9)
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467

Learn more about your rights and protections related to the No Surprises Act (HR133).

The dermatologists and other medical professionals at SkinCare Physicians specialize in a wide range of dermatology treatments and services, including laser hair removal, laser skin treatment, hair transplant, eyelid surgery, body contouring, psoriasis, skin cancer, BOTOX® Cosmetic, fillers, and Thermage®. From their offices in Chestnut Hill, they serve Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton and Wellesley.

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.



SkinCare Physicians®
1244 Boylston Street (Route 9)
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467

Phone: (617) 731-1600 Fax: (617) 731-1601

Learn more about your rights and protections related to the No Surprises Act (HR133).

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

The dermatologists and other medical professionals at SkinCare Physicians specialize in a wide range of dermatology treatments and services, including laser hair removal, laser skin treatment, hair transplant, eyelid surgery, body contouring, psoriasis, skin cancer, BOTOX® Cosmetic, fillers, and Thermage®. From their offices in Chestnut Hill, they serve Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton and Wellesley.