Stretch marks (striae distensae) are imperfections derived from the fracture of the dermis which is replaced by inelastic fibrocicatricial tissue. They are therefore to be considered as scars and therefore it is possible to treat them with a fractional CO2 laser, to erase the scar and induce the surrounding skin to react by constituting a new elastic connective tissue in the context of the dermis.
The treatment is outpatient and painless, after a couple of days a scab forms which, once fallen, will show new skin.
It is a repeatable treatment because often the depth of the stretch mark is such that in order not to burn the skin it is preferable to proceed gradually.
Red stretch marks (striae rubrae) represent the inflamed phase of a stretch mark and an alternative should be discussed with the doctor before laser treatment.