FDA Approves Laser Treatment For Stretch Marks

CBS BOSTON -- If you are one of the many people who have tried all kinds of creams to get rid of stretch marks with no luck, there's finally some help. The FDA has approved the first treatment shown to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Marsha Klaus is blessed to have two wonderful children, but with that blessing came stretch marks. Sixteen years later, the marks are still around her hips and they bother her.

"I tried old wives tale of cocoa butter, rub on every day and night. I think sometimes you think just doing it, sooner or later; it's going to make a difference. But quite honesty, it never did," Klaus said.

Then Klaus heard of a laser treatment being used by Dr. Paul Leong, a plastic surgeon.

Dr. Leong has been using the Palomar Lux 1540 laser handpiece to treat acne scars for years, but he said it took strict testing and evidence for the FDA to approve it for stretch marks.

This device was created by Palomor Medical Technologies of Burlington.

"This team gathered together some incredibly compelling data. The FDA doesn't just give out these indications. You have to produce compelling objective data and that's what they did," Dr. Leong said.

Klaus recently received the second of what will be five treatments, a month apart.

"The key is it's not burning the skin, it's heating the tissue. It's heating the tissue and allowing the body's own restorative and healing properties to shrink down acne scars or stretch marks," Dr. Leong said.

The treatment takes about six months to see the maximum results. Klaus knows her stretch marks won't completely go away, but she is looking forward to diminishing their appearance.

Another big advantage to laser treatment is that there is no downtime. You can go about your day right after each treatment. Currently, the only major side effect known is a slight redness around the treated area that lasts just a few days.