Stretch marks are a common skin concern on the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, upper arms, chest and other areas where the skin stretches quickly. Many people try creams or skincare products to make stretch marks disappear, but once they form, the change is not just in skin color. The collagen and elastin structure beneath the skin changes as well.
So before choosing a “stretch mark laser,” the most important step is to assess whether you have red (early) stretch marks or white (mature) stretch marks, because these two stages have different underlying problems and require different treatment approaches.
Early stretch marks still have a strong component of redness and blood vessels, while long-standing stretch marks turn white or silvery, look similar to scars and may be slightly depressed below the surrounding skin. Treatment therefore shifts from focusing on “reducing redness” to “stimulating and remodeling collagen.”
The medical term for stretch marks is striae distensae.
They form when the skin expands or changes rapidly, causing changes in the structures that support the skin, such as collagen and elastin. Factors associated with stretch marks include:
* Rapid growth during adolescence
* Rapid changes in body shape
* Pregnancy
* Rapid weight gain or loss
* Rapid muscle gain
* Hormonal changes
* Long-term corticosteroid use in some cases
* Genetics and individual skin structure
Stretch marks are therefore not caused by “dry skin” alone, and moisturizing creams by themselves cannot fully correct the structure of marks that have already formed.
Red vs. White Stretch Marks: What's the Difference?
Identifying the stage of stretch marks is important for choosing treatment.
1. Red stretch marks (striae rubrae) are early-stage stretch marks that may appear
* red
* pink
* purple
* reddish-brown
depending on each person’s skin tone.
At this stage, blood vessels and inflammation are still heavily involved, so treatments targeting the vascular component (redness) can be considered. Key point
Red = a vascular component is present
So Vbeam or other vascular lasers may play a bigger role at this stage.
2. White stretch marks (striae albae)
As stretch marks mature, the redness gradually fades and the marks turn
* white
* silvery
* paler than the surrounding skin
Sometimes the skin in the area feels thin or slightly depressed.
At this stage, the main issue is no longer blood vessels but changes in the collagen and elastin structure.
So using Vbeam solely to reduce blood vessels is not the main goal, as it is when the marks are still red.
Treatment focuses instead on technologies that stimulate collagen remodeling.
Comparison Table: Red vs. White Stretch Marks
Feature | Red stretch marks | White stretch marks | Medical term | Striae rubrae | Striae albae
Age of marks | Usually early stage | Usually long-standing | Color | Red, pink, purple | White, silver, pale | Blood vessels | Still prominent | Greatly reduced
Skin structure | Beginning to change | More visible collagen changes
Treatment goal | Reduce redness + stimulate skin | Collagen remodeling
Programs that may be considered | Vbeam + fractional/RF | Fractional RF / microneedling RF / fractional treatment
| Comparison | Red stretch marks (striae rubra) | White stretch marks (striae alba) |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Early stage (recently formed) | Late stage (formed a long time ago) |
| Appearance | Red, pink or purple, with visible blood vessels under the skin | Pale white or silvery, with fibrous grooves in the skin |
| Sensation | May be itchy or slightly tender | Smoother, but sunken or forming shallow grooves |
| Response to treatment | Easier and quicker to treat and fade | More difficult and takes much longer to treat |
| Initial care | Moisturizers, stretch mark creams or vitamin A (retinoid) products | Skin resurfacing lasers, AHAs or intensive collagen-boosting creams |
How Does Vbeam Laser Treat Red Stretch Marks?
Vbeam is a pulsed dye laser (PDL) designed to deliver energy to hemoglobin in blood vessels,
so it is used for many types of redness and vascular concerns.
For striae rubrae (red stretch marks), Vbeam targets the vascular component that gives the marks their red, pink or purple color.
As the redness decreases, the stretch marks may become less noticeable.
However, stretch marks are not just a color problem; collagen and elastin also change. So in some cases, the doctor may combine Vbeam with technologies that stimulate skin structure.
An easy way to remember:
Vbeam = targets the “redness” of stretch marks
This does not mean Vbeam can completely remove white stretch marks or depressed marks.
Which Laser Is Best for White Stretch Marks?
Once stretch marks have turned white, the main problem lies in the skin structure rather than blood vessels. Treatment therefore focuses on creating controlled injury or delivering energy into the skin to stimulate repair and new collagen production. Technologies that may be used include: Fractional Laser
The laser creates many tiny energy points in the skin while leaving normal tissue between them intact, stimulating skin repair and remodeling.
Fractional RF for Stretch Marks
Radiofrequency (RF) is another type of energy used to treat stretch marks. Its main goal is to create heat in the skin and stimulate collagen remodeling,
especially with fractional radiofrequency and microneedling RF, which can deliver energy into the skin at a controlled depth.
It may be considered for stretch marks that are:
* White
* On thin skin
* Uneven in texture
* Similar to shallow depressed scars
Morpheus8 for White Stretch Marks
Morpheus8 is a microneedling radiofrequency technology that uses tiny needles to deliver RF energy into the skin.
Its goal is not to reduce pigment but to stimulate collagen remodeling within the skin,
so it may be considered for stretch marks, especially long-standing marks with changes in texture or skin structure.
The doctor can adjust the depth and energy to suit each area and the characteristics of each person’s marks.
eMatrix for Stretch Marks
eMatrix is a sublative fractional radiofrequency technology that delivers energy into the skin in tiny points.
When the skin receives this energy, it triggers repair and stimulates collagen remodeling,
so it can be used for texture-related concerns such as
* Acne scars
* Certain types of scars
* Uneven skin texture
* Certain types of stretch marks
especially when the main goal is to improve skin structure rather than reduce redness.
Can Pico MLA Help Stretch Marks?
Pico lasers don’t only have a mode for breaking down pigment.
Some devices have a fractional or MLA mode that creates tiny energy points within the skin to stimulate repair and collagen remodeling,
so it may be another option for people who want to improve the texture of stretch marks.
However, choosing between Pico MLA, fractional RF or microneedling RF should depend on the characteristics of the marks, skin tone, location and the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Vbeam vs. Morpheus8: How Do They Differ for Stretch Marks?
The two devices don’t do the same job.
Vbeam
Its main target is blood vessels, so it is better suited when the marks are still red → striae rubrae
Morpheus8 / Fractional RF
Its main target is skin structure and collagen, so it is better suited when
the marks are pale or white + texture has changed → striae albae
Some people have marks in a transitional stage, with both redness and structural changes.
In this case, you may not need to choose just one device; the doctor may consider a combination treatment.
| Feature | Vbeam Laser | Morpheus8 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of stretch marks | New marks (red / pink) | Old marks (white / depressed / uneven texture) |
| How energy is delivered | Laser light energy targeting blood vessels | Gold-plated needles delivering radiofrequency (RF) |
| Depth | Upper to superficial skin layers | Up to 4–7 mm deep (adjustable) |
| Wounds and recovery | No wounds, no downtime | Tiny needle marks and light scabbing, with short recovery |
Why Does Stretch Mark Treatment Sometimes Require Multiple Technologies?
Because a single stretch mark can have more than one problem, such as
redness + thin skin + depression.
Using Vbeam alone may help with redness, but its main goal is not to increase collagen in depressed areas.
Using fractional RF alone may target structure, but it is not a vascular laser.
So the doctor may divide treatment into
Phase 1 – Reduce redness: Vbeam for suitable patients
Phase 2 – Improve skin structure: fractional RF / Morpheus8 / eMatrix or fractional treatment, based on assessment. This approach matters more than asking “Which device is the strongest?”
Which Areas of Stretch Marks Can Be Treated?
How Are Postpartum Stretch Marks Treated?
After pregnancy, several abdominal concerns may appear at the same time, such as
* Stretch marks
* Loose skin
* Stubborn fat
* Changes in the abdominal muscles
These are separate issues and shouldn’t be combined into a single type of treatment. If stretch marks are the main concern, the doctor will first assess whether they are still red.
If they are still red, vascular treatment such as Vbeam may play a role. But if they have turned white, technologies focused on collagen remodeling may be considered instead.
Can Old Stretch Marks Be Treated?
Stretch marks that have turned white can be improved in many cases, but they are generally harder to treat than early-stage marks,
because the vascular component has decreased and the skin structure has already changed.
The goals of treatment are therefore to
* Make the texture look smoother
* Reduce the difference between the marks and normal skin
* Stimulate collagen remodeling
rather than to make the skin look as if it never had stretch marks.
Can Laser Remove Stretch Marks 100%?
In general, no treatment can guarantee 100% removal of stretch marks for everyone.
Stretch marks are a type of structural change in the skin. Treatment aims to improve their color and texture and make them less noticeable.
Results depend on
* Age of the marks
* Color of the marks
* Width and depth
* Location
* Skin tone
* Genetics
* The technology chosen
* Each person’s response
How Many Stretch Mark Laser Sessions Are Needed?
There is no single number of sessions that suits everyone,
because collagen changes take time and each stage of stretch marks responds differently to treatment.
Doctors usually assess results at intervals and adjust
* The device used
* Energy
* Depth
* Interval between sessions
according to how the skin responds.
Stretch mark treatment should therefore be seen as a “process” rather than expecting results from a single session.
Can People With Darker Skin Treat Stretch Marks?
Yes, but more care is needed in choosing the energy and technology.
Asian skin can develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) after certain types of energy-based treatment.
So using the highest energy does not necessarily give the best results.
The doctor must consider skin tone, severity of the marks and the risk of PIH before choosing the parameters.
A Simple Guide to Choosing a Stretch Mark Program
Appearance | Main issue | Programs that may be considered
Red / pink | Blood vessels + early stage | Vbeam
Red + texture changes | Blood vessels + collagen | Vbeam + fractional/RF
White / silver | Collagen + elastin | Fractional RF / Morpheus8 / eMatrix
White + depressed | Skin structure | Microneedling RF / fractional treatment
With uneven skin tone | Color + texture | Technology chosen based on the doctor’s assessment
Stretch Marks Treatment Guide
Choosing the Right Treatment Based on Stretch Mark Type
| Stretch Mark Type | Main Concern | Recommended Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|
Red / Pink Early stretch marks
| Blood vessels Visible redness and vascular changes | Vbeam Laser
|
Red + Texture Changes Redness with uneven texture
| Blood vessels + Collagen Redness combined with structural skin changes | Vbeam + Fractional Laser / RF
|
White / Silver Mature stretch marks
| Collagen + Elastin Changes in skin structure and elasticity | Fractional RF / Morpheus8 / eMatrix
|
White + Depressed Atrophic stretch marks
| Skin structure Depressed appearance and dermal tissue changes | Microneedling RF / Fractional Treatment
|
Uneven Pigmentation Stretch marks with color changes
| Color + Texture Pigment differences and skin texture changes | Dermatologist-Selected Treatment
|
Important Note
Stretch marks vary in color, depth, texture and stage of development. Treatment selection should be based on an individual dermatological assessment. Multiple sessions may be required, and complete removal cannot be guaranteed.
Results vary between individuals.
Explore Treatment Options
Where to Get Stretch Mark Laser Treatment? What Should You Look For?
Choosing stretch mark treatment shouldn’t be based only on “what devices the clinic has.”
What matters more is whether the clinic can explain why it chose that device for your marks.
1. It must be able to distinguish red marks from white marks, because the treatment goals are clearly different.
2. It has more than one type of technology. With only one device, a clinic may try to use it for every type of mark, even though some marks need a different technology.
3. Energy is adjusted to the skin condition, as location, skin thickness, skin tone and age of the marks all differ, so the same energy settings shouldn’t be used for everyone.
4. The risk of PIH is assessed, especially for Asian skin.
5. Combination treatment is available for marks with both redness and texture changes.
BTS Sanam Pao Station (Exit 1).
The clinic is only a short walk from the station, making your visit easy and convenient.
Exit 1
About Us
BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST, AMERICAN BOARD OF DERMATOLOGY IN LASER SURGERY, FELLOWSHIP IN COSMETIC LASER UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, FELLOW IN DERMATOSURGERY AT RAMATHIBODI HOSPITAL
- 02-2796587
- 02-6198407
- 088-0410888
- 086-5684144
- clinicproderma@gmail.com
- 1019 -1019/1 พหลโยธิน สามเสนใน พญาไท กทม 10400 (ติด BTS สถานีสนามเป้า ทางออกที่ 1 ติดถนนพหลโยธิน ร้านสีขาวทางซ้ายมือ)
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