• Facial aesthetics
• Body aesthetics
• Dermatology

Striae Repair^IML: an exclusive IML stretch mark treatment

WHAT ARE STRETCH MARKS?

Stretch marks are atrophic scars that appear on the skin in body areas exposed to stretching or tension and present different textures and colours to the skin of surrounding tissue. Skin flexibility is finite and after an abrupt distension and alteration is produced in the collagen and elastin fibres that form the connective tissue of the dermis, giving way to a stretch mark, a line with different colour and texture to the surrounding skin and with the following characteristics:

• Altered elastic and collagen fibres
• Fibrillin alterations
• Low fibroblast activity, responsible for collagen generation
• Increase in proteolysis or dissolution of proteins
• Lipolysis (breakdown)
• Dermoepidermal junction atrophy
• Fine and rigid epidermis

WHY DO STRETCH MARKS FORM?

Factors that can influence the appearance of stretch marks are:

• Major changes in weight or volume
• Hormonal alterations, such as Cushing's syndrome
• Systemic alterations, such as Diabetes
• Pregnancy, due to the skin’s distension and the influence of estrogens and relaxin. Stretch marks are suffered by 75-90% women after childbirth.

TYPES OF STRETCH MARKS

Depending on the degree of development of the stretch marks, they can be classified as follows:

• Recent stretch marks: They appear in linear areas of fine skin with a red or violet tone and slightly elevated on occasion. This appearance is maintain for 6 to 10 months and can be accompanied by local itching or stinging. In this initial stage, there is major inflammation around the vessels, as well as dilation of the venules and oedema. This is the stage that best responds to anti stretch mark treatment.
• Mature stretch marks: As time passes, the stretch marks turn white or pearly, flat or slightly indented. The histologic changes consist in the loss of collagen in the dermis and then, a reduction in elastic fibres. In the final stages, the epidermis thins out and the dermal papillae flatten, with an external appearance of fine or slightly indented skin.
  
  

Striae Repair^IML, EXCLUSIVE IML TREATMENT

Stretch marks is a serious aesthetic problem which is usually and up to now, very difficult to correct. Traditionally, stretch marks have been treated with retinoids, tretinoins or glycolic acid with mild results. Dermabrasion with aluminium oxide crystals has a high risk of hyper pigmenting the stretch mark, which would make it more evident and also requires a longer recovery time.

Instituto Medico Laser has designed Striae Repair^IML, a protocol developed from IML’s experience and research in the application of Non Ablative Fractional Infrared Laser 1540, the only laser tool approved by the FDA for the treatment of stretch marks, with acknowledged efficiency of 75% that IML strategically combines with Bio stimulation and Deep IR treatment, according to each patient’s needs.

• Striae Repair^IML I: 1540 Laser. Non Ablative Fractional Infrared Laser 1540 delivers energy in the shape of 100 vertical heat micro columns per cm2 in each pulse, penetrating up to 1.1 mm and reaching the subcutaneous layer where the altered collagen fibres are denaturalised to stimulate the formation of new, well structured collagen. It causes no damage to the skin surface and does not require long recovery periods.
• Striae Repair^IML II: 1540 Laser + Bio stimulation. Bio stimulation with vitamins and trace elements such as organic silicon, the nutritious substances are infiltrated and restructure the collagen and elastin fibres and reinforce the repair of striated skin.
• Striae Repair^IML III: 1540 Laser + Bio stimulation + Deep IR.
  Deep IR is a broadband Fractional Infrared Light system whose energy penetrates in the dermis and re-tenses the skin, due to the immediate coagulation of the existing collagen and activating microcirculation in the treated area, reducing the flaccidity that accompanies the stretch marks in certain areas, such as the back of arms and inside thigh region.

Four sessions are generally required, applied every 3 weeks. After each session, there is mild redness in the treated area which disappears within 3 days. The treated area should be protected with sunscreen.

RESULTS

Striae Repair^IML achieves up to 75% improvement and can be applied in any type of stretch mark, whether recent or advanced. It requires no down-time since the surface skin is not affected, allowing the patient to immediately return to their daily routine.
Given that the fibroblasts take up to 6 months to produce new collagen, results are visible as treatment is carried out and continues after concluding treatment. Although the improvement is visible from the first session, regeneration and remodelling of the collagen and elastin are not immediate processes. The final assessment should be made once this period is concluded.