Home › Procedures › Laser Treatments › Scar & Stretch Mark Removal

Scar & Stretch Mark Removal

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Alhambra and Santa Ana

Receiving scar and stretch mark removal treatments is one of the most effective ways to achieve smoother, more radiant skin. Stretch marks and scars can alter your appearance or draw attention away from your beautiful features.

Rarely does anyone get through life without at least one scar or stretch mark, but with Dr. Hannah Vu’s powerful skin resurfacing treatments, they no longer need to be part of your everyday existence. She specializes in customizable cosmetic treatments that can quickly help you improve your appearance.

At SkinZone Medical, Dr. Vu has decades of experience helping patients renew their skin. With today’s advanced laser technology, she can fade away scars and stretch marks quickly for a natural look.

Contact our office to learn more about how we can help you improve your appearance with long-lasting results:

View More Photos

About Scar & Stretch Mark Removal

Patients often deal with scars from injuries, surgeries, and medical conditions. If you are struggling with scars and stretch marks, you are not alone. Specialists performed more than 3.5 million skin resurfacing treatments to help patients improve their appearance in 2023. ⁽¹⁾ Dr. Vu can resurface your skin with laser therapies that stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of scar tissue for smoother, brighter skin.

Dr. Vu can refresh your appearance with lasers specifically designed to target your scar tissue or stretch marks while preserving your surrounding skin for a faster recovery period. ⁽²⁾ Some laser treatments, like CO2 lasers, are considered to be ablative because they can vaporize scar tissue while increasing collagen production with heat and laser energy to improve cell turnover.

Dr. Vu can also perform a fractional erbium laser treatment to penetrate the skin with laser energy and heat that stimulates collagen production. The type of laser treatment you need to achieve your aesthetic goals will depend on the severity of your scars or stretch marks.

Laser Treatments For Different Types of Scars

Well-tolerated laser treatments are safe for most skin types, and Dr. Vu can use them to improve the appearance of scars on your face and other areas of your body. With laser treatments, Dr. Vu can treat several different types of scars, including:

Hypertrophic scars: Excess collagen in your skin can cause hard, thick, raised scars that affect your skin tone and texture. With laser treatments, Dr. Vu can reduce the thickness of your scar and its color for a more natural appearance. ⁽³⁾
Atrophic scars: If you have scars that appear as tiny divots or sunken indentations, laser therapy can improve them by stimulating collagen production. Atrophic scars are especially common in patients who suffer from acne.
Stretch marks: Stretch marks can develop from pregnancy, growth spurts, and weight fluctuations that rapidly pull on the collagen (protein) fibers in the skin. Targeted laser treatments can reduce their appearance.

Scar & Stretch Mark Removal Benefits

After scar and stretch mark removal, you can enjoy several benefits including:

Reduced scar visibility: Patients often see significant reductions in the prominence of their scars.
Smoother skin: Laser treatment smooths out rough patches and improves overall skin texture.
Increased collagen production: The treatment encourages new collagen production which helps restore your skin and results in a smoother appearance.
More even skin tone: Dr. Vu can improve hyperpigmentation and sun damage for a more even skin tone.
Versatile treatment options: Various lasers can be tailored to specific types of scars.
Long-lasting results: Results from CO2 laser treatments can last for several years if you take good care of your skin and avoid sun exposure.

Candidates

Ideal candidates should be in good overall health, with realistic expectations. Individuals with certain medical conditions such as active infections or skin disorders may not qualify for laser treatments. A personalized consultation with Dr.Vu to assess your scars or stretch marks will help determine suitability.

Depending on the condition of your skin, you may need a series of treatments to achieve the most effective results.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Vu will ask about any skin conditions you have, current medications, and your medical history to determine the best treatment plan. She will also examine the treatment area to determine whether or not laser treatment can help you achieve your desired results.

To learn more about how we can improve your appearance with additional skin rejuvenation treatments, see our blog.

Preparation

To prepare for a laser treatment, you will need to:

Avoid sun exposure before your treatment, as tanned skin can affect the outcome.
Discontinue certain medications and supplements that may increase bleeding.
Steer clear of nicotine and tobacco products, as they can impair healing.
Discuss any skin-care regimen adjustments with Dr. Vu to optimize your skin condition before the procedure.

If you have a viral skin condition and experience an outbreak before your appointment, we may need to delay your treatment. Taking good care of your skin can help you achieve the best results.

Procedure

Dr. Vu will cleanse your skin and may apply a topical anesthetic for your comfort. The laser energy and heat can greatly improve the appearance of your skin with just one treatment. Dr. Vu will use the selected laser device and pass it over the scarred area. For ablative lasers, the outer layer of skin is carefully removed, while non-ablative lasers deliver energy below the surface. Each session usually lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.

For stretch mark treatment, the laser also causes the skin beneath the stretch marks to thicken until it closely resembles the surrounding skin. Dr. Vu will administer the laser with a handpiece carefully to ensure an even treatment.

The length of your treatment will depend on your individual needs. You can return home immediately after the procedure, and we can provide specific instructions to help you recover.

Recovery

You will need to take 1-2 weeks of social downtime to allow your skin to heal. If you receive the treatment on your face, you will need to avoid wearing makeup for approximately 10 days. You must also avoid sun exposure for 7 days while you recover to prevent bruising or hyperpigmentation that could affect your results.

During your recovery, you will need to take good care of your skin by:

Keeping the treated area clean
Applying prescribed ointments or creams
Staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen

In some cases, full results may take some weeks to become evident as the collagen builds up and the skin continues to heal.

Scar & Stretch Mark Removal Results

After a laser scar treatment, you can enjoy long-lasting results. The treatment permanently reduced the appearance of scars and stretch marks for a more even appearance. However, your specific results will vary depending on your specific needs. It is important to know that the results of laser stretch mark treatments are progressive and may require multiple sessions depending on the severity of your stretch marks or scar.

Additional Treatments at SkinZone

We offer several additional treatments to help you look and feel your best.

Acne Treatments

Acne treatments can improve the appearance of your skin if you have breakouts that affect your complexion. Genetics, stress, hormones, and medication can all result in acne which is not only painful but difficult to treat without professional help. Dr. Vu can prescribe a combination of laser and light therapy, injectables, antibiotics, and oral medications to help you achieve clearer skin depending on your skin type.

Birthmark Treatment

Birthmarks can be pigmented lesions like moles or vascular lesions, which are caused by collections of blood vessels. Laser birthmark removal is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes concentrated beams of light to break down the pigments in pigmented lesions or the enlarged blood vessels in vascular lesions. Many people seek laser birthmark removal for various reasons, including cosmetic preferences, discomfort, or concerns about skin health.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a treatment that reduces hair growth in unwanted areas. Repetitive shaving can affect your skin quality and the way you feel about your body. With laser hair removal, we can effectively alter the structure of the hair follicle to prevent new hair growth. You can enjoy smoother skin without having to consistently shave or wax which is not only more convenient but also cost-effective.

Cost of Scar & Stretch Mark Removal in Santa Ana

The cost of your laser scar removal treatment will depend on the size of the treatment area, the severity of your scar, and your aesthetic goals. We also offer financing to help make your treatment more accessible. Do not wait to achieve smooth, beautiful, radiant skin. Why live with scars and stretchmarks if you do not have to?

Contact our office to learn more:

FAQ

How many laser scar removal sessions will I need?

The number of sessions required depends on the type and severity of the scars. Some patients see satisfactory results in one session, while others may require multiple treatments.

Are there any risks associated with scar and stretch mark removal?

Your personal risk factors will depend on your medical history, and we can discuss whether or not the procedure is a good fit for you during your consultation.

How soon can I return to my normal routine after scar and stretch mark removal?

The length of your recovery will depend on your specific treatment. We can discuss a recovery time during your consultation after your physical exam.

When can I wear makeup after scar and stretch mark removal treatments?

Most patients can resume wearing makeup after approximately 10 days. It is important to follow your recovery guidelines to help your skin heal properly.

References

American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
Omi T, Numano K. The Role of the CO2 Laser and Fractional CO2 Laser in Dermatology. Laser Therapy. 2014;23(1):49-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.5978/islsm.14-RE-01
Grigoryan KV, Fusco I, Ronconi L, Tiziano Zingoni. Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy for Effective Treatment of Facial Traumatic Hypertrophic Scar: A Case Report. The American journal of case reports. 2024;25. doi:https://doi.org/10.12659/ajcr.942706

Before and After Photos