Stretch marks do not discriminate. They can form on any skin type, tone, age or gender, which means we are all in it together. Fine lines spreading across the surface of the skin, stretch marks, (also known as striae) appear as multiple streaks and are most commonly found over the bottom, thighs and abdomen areas.

Loosely linked to genetics, striae or stretch marks happen as a result of skin physically overstretching. Skin is, of course, aptly designed to stretch but when it’s pushed past its natural elasticity, collagen production is disrupted and it fails to reshape. The resulting appearance is small fine lines of scar tissue. Most often, stretch marks develop during times of rapid growth, weight gain or sudden hormonal shifts.

Admittedly, stretch marks are one of the most difficult skin concerns to treat due to their being a type of scar tissue and to date, stretch mark removal treatments have been largely ineffectual. At-home solutions for stretch marks like targeted stretch mark creams may improve the surface appearance and epidermal quality of the skin, yet are entirely unproven in their ability to fade out stretch marks themselves.

Professional treatments for stretch mark removal include:

• Chemical peels

• Laser therapy

• Microdermabrasion

• Microneedling

• Radiofrequency

• Ultrasound

All of these in-clinic treatments including the most popular, laser stretch mark removal and microneedling for stretch marks carry varying levels of success. These invasive treatments are painful, expensive and require multiple sessions with associated downtime. There is also a high likelihood of stretch marks returning and more treatment being required. Moreover, the American Association of Dermatology reports that though dermatologists regularly perform these invasive procedures to make stretch marks less noticeable, none of these treatments can get rid of stretch marks.

It is possible to remove stretch marks permanently but for this to happen, we need to change both existing surface tissue and the new tissue cells being generated deep down in the skin’s lower layers. Near infrared low-level laser therapy is thought by some to be the best way to get rid of stretch marks permanently. The beneficial effects of low-level laser therapy on wound healing and scarring was first observed in the late 1960’s and has been used in medical settings all over the world, ever since.

The LYMA Laser PRO contains three polarized, coherent, monochromatic, 1450mW class 3R laser beams operating at 808nm. A cutting edge form of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), The Laser PRO is not hot or damaging to skin in any way, instead it sits exactly at the power level that allows near-infrared laser light to penetrate deeply into the regenerative base layers of the skin. This breakthrough technology penetrates to a depth of up to 10cm without losing power to have a biological effect from the muscle tissue upwards.

The LYMA Laser PRO was engineered to treat the untreatable, including scar tissue and stretch marks. The three clinic-grade, near-infrared Low-level laser beams in the Laser PRO have the exact power density required to cause bio-stimulation, whereby light interacts with human skin cells to cause a shift in their behavior.

Upon entering the body, the focused laser light energy from the Laser PRO transfers into chemical energy and working on mature and immature scars alike, increases the production of collagen in and around the scar to soften and improve the quality of scar tissue. It's completely painless, emits zero heat and the expansive lens creates a treatment area of 33cm2, meaning even large areas of stretch marks can be treated quickly and effectively. A device for use both by clinical professionals and safe enough to use yourself at home, results show that just three minutes per treatment area, sees impressive results within 30 days.

Stretch marks can re-emerge but it’s possible to limit the likelihood with these methods

• Aid skin elasticity with body oils and creams

• Eat a healthy diet with a good supply of oily fish and natural fats

• Use the LYMA Laser PRO to improve the skin’s architecture and resilience