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Has your body weight or size fluctuated? Maybe you’ve noticed stretch marks around your thighs, hips, stomach, or breasts.  These could be permanent, but thanks to medical advances there are treatment options available to significantly reduce their appearance.

As the warmer weather is upon us and we wear less clothing, it’s time to reveal the skin that has been hidden under our clothes all winter and spring.  Is that a frightening thought? Don’t despair: we’re with you on this – you don’t need stretch marks to ruin your summer. 

Here are some simple solutions to get your skin in warm weather shape, so you too can be comfortable enough to enjoy all the warm weather activities.

Laser Resurfacing has become more precise in recent years and can reduce the appearance of stretch marks after a series of treatments.  The laser zaps the top layer of skin and stimulates collagen production deep within the skin’s layers. This helps remove uneven skin tone, scars and other skin problems on the skin’s surface and restores your skin to a much healthier state.

Fractional Non-ablative Laser Most doctors agree that once stretch marks are white, a fractional non-ablative laser is a very effective treatment. It feels like rubber band snaps on the skin, your doctor will either recommend prescription-strength ibuprofen, acetaminophen and/or topical anesthetic. Most patients will need 4 or 5 treatments, every six to eight weeks. You can expect to improve the texture of stretch marks by nearly 50% after completing a series of treatments. 

Microdermabrasion Treatments are another effective method for treating stretch marks. This procedure buffs away the top layer of skin and also stimulates collagen production. Most patients need between 3-6 treatments to see a noticeable difference, but it is still cost effective and the results are pretty stellar.

Prescription Retinoids are the only topical products that have been demonstrated to be effective for treating and improving stretch marks in the early stages. For red stretch marks, a retinoid cream applied daily for six months has been shown to improve the appearance by about 14%. For white stretch marks, color will not be restored but a prescription strength retinoic cream can help even out texture. As always, talk directly to your doctor about the benefits, the method of use and any risks. For example, you shouldn’t be using retinoids while either pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Other non-invasive skin treatments, such as chemical peels and/or prescription topicals used in combination with microdermabrasion treatments, can help improve the texture and tone of your skin. Consult with us further about skin care and stretch mark removal treatments, so you can get that body ready for this summer’s season.

Last week, the Food & Drug Administration granted clearance to Medicis Pharmaceutical for their new wrinkle reducer, Dysport. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists may have the drug available for cosmetic use in just 30 – 60 days.

Dysport will compete with Botox, as both drugs perform the same basic function – neuromuscular blocking to relax and prevent wrinkles. Dysport however, is said to be more diluted than Botox and thus more cost effective for providers. The recent FDA approval of dysport also came with a unique warning label describing the risks associated with the botulinum toxin.

Rather than rebranding the drug ‘Reloxin’ as planned, Medicis decided to retain its original European name, Dysport

The April 30th announcement coincided with a 3 percent drop in Allergan’s (maker of Botox) shares, and a 14 percent increase of Medicis’ shares. Analysts and industry professionals expect Dysport to carry a slightly lower price tag than Botox, and say it could capture as much as 30 percent of the current market.

For more information on wrinkle treatments in Chicago and Munster, Indiana see our homepage.

Japanese physicians using Cutera Lasers have been having significant success with patients who suffer from Melasma and Keloid scarring.

Laser Genesis is a non-contact laser treatment which targets and treats multiple layers of the dermis while promoting hyperplasia of collagen. Laser Genesis is effective at reducing pore size, improving skin texture and improving elasticity. Genesis also heats and shrinks the micro-blood vessels of the papillary dermis which reduces and improves erythema.

The following are patient profiles from an expert physician in Japan.  These are cases in which the physician experienced successful treatment of melasma through use of the Laser Genesis therapy.

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The first patient was an Asian female with a long history of Melasma, which was first treated with 4 percent Hydroquinone and 0.1 percent Tretinoin.  An allergic reaction prompted a withdrawal of that treatment.  Tranexamic acid was then tried, which saw positive results, but they couldn’t be sustained – the symptoms “rebounded after therapy was suspended.”  So therapy with the Tranexamic acid was continued for 6 months, then Laser Genesis was introduced in between treatments.  Treatment with laser genesis allowed suspension of the tranexamic acid therapy and it prevented the reoccurrence of Melasma.

The second patient was also an Asian female who was receiving treatment with 0.1 percent Tretinoin, 4 percent Hydroquinone, and Laser Genesis therapy.  Over the course of 3 months, the patient saw significant improvements in her melasma symptoms – improved pigmentation, reduced redness and reduced inflammation.  The combination of topical treatment and Laser Genesis proved successful.

We offer Laser Genesis at our Frankfort office, along with the entire suite of Cutera laser treatments: Titan, LimeLight, Pearl, Laser Genesis, and XEO for laser hair removal. Contact us for more information or a consultation in either Frankfort or Munster, Indiana.

Plastic Surgery Experts now introduce the very latest in laser body hair removal. Now men and women alike are making unwanted facial and body hair a thing of the past thanks to the Cutera ProWave hair removal system. No more painful waxing, electrolysis or razors! The ProWave delivers 21st century technology for treatment of this distressing problem. Cleared for permanent hair reduction, the Cutera ProWave can treat a wide range of skin types and tones safely and effectively.