Hello!!!

First to say i am German so maybe my English is not perfect.

I Have read a lot about the different types of laser, Co2, Fraxel...
And when i look at the indications there often striae is written. But there is also a lot of negative stuff about laser(especially Fraxel) and striae. So my questions to the professionals in this Forum are:"Does it work? Is there a significant improvement? What do you think is the best Treatment?" Maybe someone can explain how it works. Sounds like Fraxel re:pair is the newest(best?) Device on the Market. It still isn't available in germany. Thanks for every Answer

All the lasers would help striae, but don't promise that it will get rid of them. I tell clients that it will help striae. In order of improvement, IPL, nonablative lasers, like 1320 wavelength up to fractionated CO2. They all will tightening the skin. The IPL will fade the red if the striae haven't turned to white, yet.

If they are fresh ( red) then the best option is pulsed dye laser (595 nm) , like Vbeam from Candela .

When they are red (young) you can do something using ktp 523 nm or dye laser 590 nm. (Nd-yag 1064 will not work because they are too superficial).
I'm using KTP in red young striae (Fluence 14 J/cm2 , pulse with less than 30 ms, 1 mm spot, with a 25 hz scanner. 1 to 3 sessions depending on the result). I have never found any article saying it prevents striae from becoming white anyway.
I've tried almost all the wavelenght on white old striae (1064 nm, 1450 nm, ... 308 nm). Nothing really works. The 308 is a temporarly cosmetic effect on the skin color. Laser is expensive and patients do not feel much effect.
Personnaly I switched to Carboxytherapy which is cheaper for the patient, a bit better. 3 to 6 sessions of 5 minutes. 90 cc/min of CO2 in the dermis. No anesthesia.

Philippe Cadic
Could you please tell me where I can buy the anti-viral/anti-bacterial
filters for the Carboxytherapy needles?
Thanks
Gloria Lopez MD

Philippe Cadic

The Fraxel re:store works. Realistic expectations are 50-75% clearance after 3-5 treatments. The new Fraxel before/after books even show an example, and state not FDA approved for striae. I agree KTP will reduce erythema quickly in newer striae, but fraxel will also help over a period of months as new collagen forms.

To Florida PA.
My feeling is each technique does a walk into a better apearance. I think there is much to do in studying combined procedures with carbon Dioxide therapy, Fraxel which has an effect on collagen of course and maybe mesotherapy or else.
I've seen the Affirm laser (3 sessions) to have a moderate effect on strestch marks also
I've used the Smoothbeam very often on stretchmarks small test area (while I was making hair removal sessions). I tipically use a fluence of 12 to 13 J/cm2, spot 4 mm, frost 35 msec. 1 session each 3 or 4 weeks. 30 to 40% effect maximum and most of the patient disapointed because of too minor changes. This is the reason why I switched to something less expensive than laser. I was unconfortable taking money from patient with so little results.

Do you have beforer after photos of fraxel treatments. I would be interested to know ? What are your frax'l parameters ?
Some results you may expect with carboxymesotherapy: http://www.carboxyworld.com/index.php/beforeafter-pub-photos/36-strect-marks-photos/147-african-skin-black-skin for dark skin types
and http://www.carboxyworld.com/index.php/beforeafter-pub-photos/36-strect-marks-photos/148-stretch-marks-on-european-white-skin for phototype 3.

Hope we can all find the proper protocol to have the best results soon.

To Gloria: Send me a private email using the web site you registered with (contact us link). I will send you the company for filters.