Red Light Therapy for Stretch Marks: Before and After

Stretch marks! They are more common than you think. 

It affects:

• 90% of pregnant females
• 70% of adolescent females
• 40% of adolescent males

You’ll get all this data from a recent paper by Medscape. 

A tiger might be proud of its stripes but they can upset you. It’s okay if it does. 

Multiple treatments can help you reduce and sometimes remove stretch marks. Reduction techniques can be reasonable but temporary whereas removal ones can be permanent but pricy. 

If you want something in the middle, there’s Red light therapy! 

It uses powerful LED and laser lights to fix factors causing stretch marks. You’ll find many studies and words from personal experiences that highlighted RLT’s efficacy showing Before and After pictures. 

• So, are you a sufferer? Then get the best Red light therapy for stretch marks. 

All About Stretch Marks 

Indented scars but harmless. Stretch marks show up on different areas of your skin. 

Let’s explore some common areas here:

• Abdomen
• Breasts
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Upper arms
• Legs
• Hips 
• Back

These scars come in streaks, stripes, or lines. They look long and rippled. Moreover, some particular areas of the skin turn discolored. 

It can be— brownish tone, pink, purple, red, black, or silver. 

There’s a medical term for such a skin condition. It’s Striae Distensae. 

Causes Of Stretch Marks 

Stretch marks typically develop when your skin stretches or shrinks too quickly because of certain conditions. 

Such abrupt changes disrupt and tear up the collagen and elastin in the dermis layer. As a result, it leaves stretch marks. 

Some common causes of stretch marks include:

• Hormonal changes
• Pregnancy
• Rapid weight gain or loss
• Growth spurts
• Family genes
• Lack of proper skincare
• Dehydration
• Nutrition deficiencies

Types Of Stretch Marks

You’ll find 2 kinds of stretch marks depending on— age (mainly) and color (secondarily). 

1. Striae Rubrae

They are new stretch marks. 

Striae Rubrae appears in the earliest stage of stretch mark development. 

They look red or purple. Such color appears because the skin stretches abruptly making it thinner and the blood vessels underneath more visible. 

2. Striae Albae

This means old stretch marks. 

Striae Albae are white or silver stretch marks that develop over time. They appear after your skin has had enough time to heal. 

Because the skin heals, stretch marks lose their deep colors and become less visible. 

Let’s give you a short comparison–

Red Light Therapy For Stretch Marks

How Does RLT Target Stretch Marks?

1. Boosts ATP Production 

That’s the first task. 

The therapy boosts ATP production (energy provider) as the light penetrates. This way, it— treats inflammation, promotes tissue repair and reproduction, and speeds up the healing process of stretch marks. 

Eventually, it reduces the scarring.

2. Stimulates Collagen

Red light therapy works with special cells that give strength to your skin. 

It tells fibroblasts to increase the density and organization of collagen [Source: NCBI]. This helps fight affected tissue and help it heal. 

Besides, the boosted collagen keeps creating healthy and thick skin. It makes your skin stretchier enough to alleviate existing and prevent future stretch marks. 

3. Reduces Redness

Blood circulation plays a key role. 

RLT stimulates the production of endothelial cells. This means the wavelengths help your body make more cells that make blood vessels bigger. 

This works to amp up blood circulation inside your body. Moreover, it brings more oxygen and nutrients to the affected tissue caused by stretching. 

Eventually, it causes the redness to be less visible and makes your skin tone and texture even. 

Scientific Evidence And Studies

A few studies have been done on stretch marks using red light therapy. 

One particular study in 2015 focused on Skin Scars and Striae Distensae with photodynamic therapy. The experts found PDT to be a suitable treatment for abnormal skin scarring. This includes both skin scars and stretch marks. 

Another 2012 study highlighted the potential benefits and efficacy of LED phototherapy on stretch marks. [Resource: Researchgate]

Before and After Results

Real-Life Case Studies

Several case studies and personal experiences have indicated that RLT can effectively treat stretch marks. The therapy has benefited them with reduced appearance of such scarring. 

Let’s take a look at them–

Case Study 1

A trial involved the use of infrared therapy delivered by pulsed lasers. The number of sessions were carried out 3 to 6 weeks apart and found improvement in the healing of stretch marks. 

Case Study 2

A YouTuber used Red light therapy for 1 year and shared his experience in his video. He mentioned– “I gotta be real, it does look like there’s some improvement, even though I didn’t flash the light directly on the stretch marks.” 

Case Study 3

Another user tried RLT for over a month. He posted before and after results on Reddit and asked others if they could see any difference. Almost all users mentioned it did. 

How To Use Red Light Therapy At Home?

Step 1: Choose High-quality Device

Opt for the right RLT device. 

You can expect the best results and efficacy from one that’s high-powered. 

Make sure to check the measurement mW/cm2. Higher numbers mean more power output and higher efficiency. 

You might consider:

• Biomax 450 for the stretch marks on specific areas.
• Biomax 900 for stretch marks all over your body. 

Step 2: Cleanse Your Skin

RLT works better on fresh, bare skin. Don’t use any products except for cleansers. 

So, wash your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser at first. 

Step 3: Position the RLT Device At A Distance 

RLT is very safe. 

However, staying too close to the device can overheat your skin and cause damage to the area. 

Sit 6 to 12 inches away from the device. Next, expose the affected areas to the light.

Step 4: Start The Session Based On The Stretch Marks

If you’re new, start the session with 5-10 minutes. 

Then after 2-3 weeks, increase it up to 15-20 minutes. Continue it four times a week for 5 to 10 weeks. 

Expert Tips For Stretch Marks 

Visible results for stretch marks can take— a few weeks to months to years. So, you have to be very patient and consistent about it. 

It can vary based on–

• Skin type
• Age of stretch marks
• Frequency of treatment
• Device quality
• The severity of the case
• Causes of such scars
• Person

Use the device following manual instructions. All the products come with a manual. 

You’ll get key details like recommended treatment times, frequency, and positioning of the RLT device on the stretch marks over there. 

The session period, frequency, treatment duration, and results vary based on the type and severity of stretch marks.

Safety Precautions

• Use eye-protective goggles since RLT can be uncomfortable for your eyes.
• Do a photo patch test to check for any negative reaction. Talk to an expert if you experience one. 
• It’s better to consult an expert and learn more about the treatment in detail. 
• Skipping the session, doing it carelessly or overexposure can cause damage to your skin. 

Professional vs. At-Home Red Light Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red Light Therapy Safe?

Yes. It uses non-invasive and natural techniques. This makes Red light therapy safe. 

How Often Should I Use Red Light Therapy for Stretch Marks?

• Use Red light therapy for 10-20 minutes 4 times a week. 
• Continue it for 2-6 weeks. 
• You can get visible results within 4-12 weeks

Can Red Light Therapy Prevent New Stretch Marks?

To some extent, Yes. The wavelengths of RLT improve skin elasticity which may help prevent new stretch marks. 

How long does it take to see results from red light therapy on stretch marks?

You have to be very patient. The result timeline can vary. Visible results may appear after 4-12 weeks.

Is red light therapy safe for all skin types?

Yes. RLT is safe for all skin types.

Can red light therapy completely remove stretch marks?

No. RLT can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. However, it may not remove them completely.

Are there any side effects of red light therapy?

RLT side effects are minimal. There might be occasional redness or mild irritation although the cases are rare. 

Get Red Light Therapy For Stretch Marks 

One good thing about Red light therapy is that it focuses on the underlying factors. It boosts–

• Collagen production
• Cellular energy
• Blood flow
• Nutrient delivery
• Oxygen delivery

All these work together and fight affected tissue, then heal stretch marks.  

So, if you’re suffering from one, get a good device like BIOMAX 900. 

editor

Contributing author to Weird Italy, a platform dedicated to the exploration of unique and unusual aspects of Italian culture, history, and contemporary phenomena.