Lasers Prove Effective
Laser technology may well be the final frontier on many epidermal fronts, providing safe and effective treatment for wrinkles and fine lines, stubborn stretch marks and tattoo removal (see related story on page 14).

Stretch marks, the scourge of many modern-day mommies and fluctuating dieters, are most commonly left alone to mature and fade, said Larry Bishop, M.D., a dermatologist with MIMA Dermatology in Suntree.

Stretch Marks
Stretch marks occur as a result of too much tension on the skin. This causes the skin to stretch and tear underneath the top layer, resulting in a thin, scarred and purplish appearance due to the blood vessels under the surface of the skin.

The most common cause of stretch marks is rapid weight gain associated with pregnancy and adolescent growth spurts, with marks commonly appearing on the belly, lower back, shoulders, buttocks and breasts.

Treatment Options
When stretch marks don't fade over time and remain red, shiny and unsightly, Bishop first recommends a non-invasive treatment – rubbing a topical retinoid onto the stretch marks daily. A retinoid is a Vitamin A-like compound that promotes collagen synthesis and improves overall function of the fibroblasts (cell-producing connective tissue) which direct collagen synthesis.

“Retinoids help rebuild thickness in the stretch marks, reduce redness by shrinking blood vessels and sometimes even reduce the white appearance,” he said. These topical applications may not be prescribed, however, if a patient is or plans to become pregnant or if she's nursing.

“If retinoid therapy is inappropriate or fails, then laser therapy is indicated,” Bishop said.

“The newest generation Fraxel® laser (known as the Fraxel 1500) is the best way to achieve thickening of the stretch marks, improvement of color and reduction of the white, scarred appearance,” he said.

Super Scar Treatments?
In addition to treating stubborn stretch marks, lasers also are proving effective against simple and more complex scars.

Prior to scarring, a wound should be properly treated to avoid infection and promote healing.

“Once a scar occurs, however, that is the time to put all the wound healing factors into play,” said Bishop, who recommends using oral Vitamin C and zinc – both essential in collagen production and necessary to the healing process.

“It makes a certain amount of sense to take supplements with appropriate doses of these two nutrients after an injury,” he said.

Avoid smoking, which slows circulation around a wound and prevents optimum healing.

After the wound has healed completely, there are a variety of consumer products that improve the appearance of scars, though none will erase them completely.

Mederma®, for example, is a good product that helps speed the recovery of the scarred area. Other products include Vitamin E, petroleum jelly, silicone gel and proprietary treatments such as Curad Scar Therapy™.

New Technology Diminishes Scar Appearance
While for many, scars heal with only a small, thin reminder of the original wound, in others, that process goes awry.

“Instead of a thin, white scar, some people develop thick, pink scars or depressed, discolored scars,” he said.

Until recently, those scars stayed with the patient for life.

“But new technology has given us an arsenal of tools to fight against these disfiguring healing processes,” Bishop said.

For depressed scars, a new generation of products called dermal fillers has been developed to help fill depressions in the skin.

The new line of treatment for thick, red scars – which until very recently were treated with steroid injections with varied success – is the new generation of lasers which have turned scar therapy on its head.

These new lasers soften and help shrink scars, commonly reduce or eliminate redness and help blend the scar into surrounding tissue.

“It is not uncommon to see 80 to 90 percent improvement in a treated scar, but in some cases near-complete reduction of the unsightly nature of the scar can be seen,” he said.

Information compiled with assistance from Larry Bishop, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at MIMA Dermatology in Viera. For more information, call (321) 751-9097 or visit online at www.mima.com/dermatology.asp.