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Improve the Appearance of Stretch Marks and Scar Tissue for Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, Philadelphia, and the Main Line
Although skin irregularities are very common, many people are self-conscious about having unsightly scars and stretch marks. With scar and stretch mark therapies from our Bryn Mawr and Newtown Square-based Cirillo Cosmetic team, you can enjoy smoother skin with a more even and refined texture. Each patient is carefully evaluated to determine the right scar and stretch mark treatment regimen.
Contact Cirillo Cosmetic Dermatology Spa to request a consultation for scar and stretch mark therapy for Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, and the Philadelphia area. Call 610.525.5029, or visit our Contact Us page.
Scar and Stretch Mark Therapy: What Causes Scarring and Stretch Marks?
After physical trauma, cystic acne, or surgery, the body begins to repair the injury. New collagen fibers are produced in the deeper layer of the skin, called the dermis, in an attempt to repair the damage. The texture and color of the skin where a scar develops typically looks different from the surrounding normal skin.
Scars often have a red or purple color that fades with time, but there are several different types of scars that have a unique undesired appearance that persists. These include:
Acne Scars
Cystic acne often causes damage to deeper layers in the skin, resulting in ice pick scars, rolling scars, and boxcar scars.
Keloid Scars
These are raised scars caused by excessive tissue growth, which extends beyond the original scar during the repair process.
Contracture Scars
Tightened skin after a burn can restrict movement once it heals.
Hypertrophic Scars
These scars are thickened, reddened, and raised and are caused by tension around a repaired wound.
Stretch Marks
A stretch mark is a type of depressed scar that develops when the skin is suddenly stretched too rapidly, whether due to significant weight gain, a growth spurt, gaining muscle mass, or pregnancy. The collagen fibers that make up the underlying structure of the skin are damaged by the stretching, and long, thin depressed lines or bands appear.
Scars and stretch marks are often itchy, sore, and uncomfortable, but there are several effective scar and stretch mark therapy options that can improve them.
Meet Dr. Cirillo & Our
Licensed Aesthetic Providers
Led by board-certified dermatologist Victoria A. Cirillo-Hyland, M.D., our certified PA-Cs, licensed registered nurses, and skin care therapists provide comprehensive aesthetic skin rejuvenation to help our clients look and feel 10 years younger.
Which Scar and Stretch Mark Therapy Options Are Available?
The most suitable scar and stretch mark therapy treatment for you depends on which types of scars you have.
Soft Tissue Fillers for Scar and Stretch Mark Therapy
Dermal fillers are often used to decrease the depth of depressed or pitted scars by adding volume below the skin’s surface to give it a fuller, more lifted appearance. These work temporarily and require maintenance treatment sessions to maintain the desired results.
Microneedling with or without Radiofrequency
During microneedling, tiny needles are rolled onto the surface of the skin, creating tiny puncture wounds. This controlled injury stimulates collagen synthesis as the skin heals. Microneedling therapy improves the appearance of depressed acne scars, burn scars, and surgical scars, as well as stretch marks. When radiofrequency energy is delivered at the tips of the needles, more dramatic results are achieved as the heat generated induces more collagen production.
Microdermabrasion
A gentle, abrasive surface is used to buff the damaged superficial layer of skin in this exfoliation technique. Loosened skin cells are suctioned away, which promotes cell turnover. This scar and stretch mark therapy option can be used almost anywhere on the body to make both depressed and raised scars look more even while also helping stretch marks fade. Microdermabrasion can also be used on less severe acne scars.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a particularly helpful option for acne scars, as they not only lighten the dark marks from old acne lesions, but also trigger collagen production to improve minor superficial acne scars. Peels additionally remove blockages from the pores to prevent future acne breakouts.
Laser Scar and Stretch Mark Therapy
Fractionated ablative laser resurfacing is another more aggressive method that can remove the damaged skin and induce the body’s wound healing processes. Non-ablative laser skin resurfacing stimulates the generation of new collagen and reduces excessive pigment to reveal a more uniform skin tone.
Surgical Scar and Stretch Mark Therapy
More severe scarring may require surgical scar and stretch mark revision surgery. Some scars can be completely removed surgically, while others may only be able to be improved in appearance. Plastic surgery can also address stretch marks, which can be excised along with redundant tissue during a tummy tuck.
Get to know more about our options for scar and stretch mark therapy at our Bryn Mawr and Newtown Square-based Cirillo Cosmetic Dermatology Spa. Request your consultation in the Philadelphia area by calling 610.525.5029, or visit our Contact Us page.