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Skin tightening and scar revision with lasers have come a long way. Much can be done with a broad array of techniques and technologies. Skin laxity on the abdomen, however, is often in a league of its own. When it comes to scar revision, stretch marks are the most challenging. Sadly, sometimes little can be done. This can be heartbreaking for many women who would like to wear a two-piece suit with confidence.
If the skin on your abdomen is flaccid, wrinkled or scarred with stretch marks, I have exciting news. A new laser treatment has been introduced that can effectively tighten skin and improve stretch marks at the same time. To explain why this treatment is a breakthrough, I’ll have to talk a bit of laser physics. I’ll try to explain this in laymen’s terms.
There are many classifications of lasers and each delivers energy at different depths and speeds. They can deliver the energy either ablatively or non-ablatively. Ablative treatments cut; non-ablative treatments do not. A laser known as an Erbium Yag is usually used cosmetically to cause superficial ablation of the skin. Essentially, it pokes microscopic holes into the skin which causes the skin to slough layers for a smoothing effect. The injury is the goal because it triggers a healing response which causes the body to produce collagen and tighten skin. Non-ablative treatments injure non-invasively but with reduced efficacy. Are you following me? This will make sense shortly.
Erbium Yag lasers are fantastic for resurfacing skin and are very versatile, capable of causing ablation deep enough to produce a wonderful resurfacing effect on deep wrinkles such as lip lines and crow’s feet. They are also capable of superficial ablation for a mild micro-laser peel. By adjusting various settings, we determine the degree of ablation required to achieve the desired response from the skin. Until now, Erbium Yag’s could only deliver energy in microseconds. Thus, they could only deliver ablative treatments.
Now, there is a new Erbium Yag laser that has been introduced to the North American market. This European laser, known as Fotona, has the ability to deliver energy in pulses that are so slow the treatment becomes non-ablative. It no longer cuts but still has the power and versatility of an Erbium Yag! Fotona’s Super Long Pulse Smooth Mode delivers the energy over a period of 2 ½ seconds. This is the breakthrough that allows us to achieve outcomes that previously were not possible.
Skinpossible uses Fotona’s Smooth Mode for an impressive menu of other treatments as well. Our laser treatments for Stress Urinary Incontinence, Vaginal Tightening, Snoring and Intra-oral Lower Face Tightening are all done with Smooth Mode. This new development in laser technology also makes our abdominal tightening and stretch mark reduction treatments possible.
Step 1: We begin with four passes over the area of skin laxity using Fotona’s Smooth Mode to deliver a controlled thermal injury deeply into the skin. This non-invasive treatment triggers a healing response and induces collagen remodeling and tightening from the inside out.
Step 2: Next we target the stretch marks themselves by delivering deep fractionated columns into the dermal layer of skin. We use the laser to run along the entire length of each stretch mark.
Step 3: Lastly, we treat the skin superficially across the entire area covered by laxity and scarring to even out textural irregularities and smooth the skin.
Skinpossible uses Fotona’s Smooth Mode for an impressive menu of other treatments as well. Our laser treatments for Stress Urinary Incontinence, Vaginal Tightening, Snoring and Intra-oral Lower Face Tightening are all done with Smooth Mode. This new development in laser technology also makes our abdominal tightening and stretch mark reduction protocol possible.
Over the years we have continually worked at improving efficacy in tightening skin on the abdomen and improving stretch marks. We have introduced a variety of increasingly advanced methods but nothing we have ever offered previously has come close to delivering the results we are seeing from this new combination treatment. Tightening the skin on the abdomen and improving stretch marks can be life-changing for women of all ages. It warms our hearts to see the joy on the faces of women as their treatment plan progresses and the results gradually improve. We are thrilled to be the first clinic in Western Canada to offer this exciting new treatment!
The tightening portion of the treatment feels like a sensation of mild heat. The stretch mark reduction treatment stings slightly. A numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area to assure your comfort. After the treatment, the skin will feel like you have a sunburn for a day or two.
Skinpossible offers treatments for abdominal skin tightening and stretch mark reduction independently or in combination. In most case, a series of six treatments will be required. Treatment will be repeated 1-2 weeks apart for skin tightening only and 2-4 weeks apart for stretch marks. For a few days post-treatment, the skin will feel crusty and an exfoliation will occur that might seem a bit like dandruff. Collagen remodeling takes time so results will appear gradually with the full benefit evident three months after the last treatment is completed.
There is a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This potential risk will usually be temporary and resolve on its own in 8 to 10 months. This possible complication could become permanent if the treatment area is exposed to sunlight too soon after the treatment. We strongly encourage the use of medical-grade SPF protection if you plan to expose the treatment area to the sun for the first two months post-treatment.
