We know that controlled, aseptic, trauma to the skin stimulates regeneration thanks to the release of growth factors released in the healing cascade. We can use this to our advantage to treat stretch marks and scars.  We have two methods that stimulate the skin and break down tight scar tissue; dry needling and the Dermaroller.
Dry needling has been used in reconstructive medicine for many years.  The needle used to implant semi-permanent make-up is very fine and can be used without colour (hence the term dry) to wake up the healing process in small and/or fibrous scars.
The Dermaroller is a more sophisticated method of treating larger areas and consists of a series of fine needles embedded on a roller. By rolling the dermaroller over the area troubled by scars or stretch marks many fine holes are created. These heal within three minutes but during that time have released many growth and healing factors capable of renegerating the skin and breaking down the fibrous appearance of the scar. Remember that a stretch mark is a scar and can thus be treated in a similar way.
The choice of treatment depends on the size of the area. Numbing cream will be applied for both treatments to make the treatment totally tolerable. The treatment takes about 30 minutes and afterwards the area will be pretty red – like sunburn. This settles by day two. Within two weeks the healing process will begin and the scar will appear to soften. We normally recommend three treatments spaced six weeks apart.
The exciting thing about treatment of scars is that the results are practically permanent. Whilst the treatment of stretch marks can also be almost for good, you will need to avoid the causes of the stretch marks in the first place (maintain a steady weight to avoid stretching of the skin again).