As an experienced medical aesthetics practitioner, you are likely well aware of the difficulties in effectively treating stretch marks. However, growing demand in this area are making striae alba treatments a potential growth market worth exploring. Fortunately, advances in treatment technology have led to a radio frequency-based aesthetics device with proven results in treating troublesome stretch marks that could set your clinic apart from your top competitors.

According to recent reports, the global market for stretch mark reduction treatments is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%, hitting an estimated overall market value of $4.0 billion by 2026. Further, an increased incidence rate of obesity globally, alongside increasing awareness surrounding the possibilities of non-invasive aesthetic treatments that complement a healthy, active lifestyle may further propel demand for stretch mark reduction treatments. The North American market is expected to dominate this area, with more than one-third of the estimated demand for stretch mark reduction treatments.

Further still, Medscape notes an estimated 90% of pregnant women, 70% of adolescent females, and 40% of adolescent males have developed stretch marks, though females are considered nearly three times more likely to develop them. Commonly appearing on the chest, abdomen, flanks, and buttocks, stretch marks can affect patients of any skin type or ethnic background.

For your patients, embarrassment regarding stretch marks can be severe and risk a host of negative consequences on quality of life. In fact, one survey among women found that 81% of those surveyed with stretch marks reported they were self-conscious about them, 69% were eager to have them gone, and 20% admitted they wouldn’t get intimate with partners with the lights on because of their stretch marks. Further, the survey notes that three out of every four women who are pregnant are actively attempting to prevent stretch marks, while 39% admit they immediately began to worry about and dread potential stretch marks once they discovered that they were pregnant. Many pregnant women reported being so concerned that 21% said they had greater anxiety over stretch marks than concerns with breastfeeding.

So, it’s clear that the demand for effective stretch mark reduction treatments is high, so how can your medical aesthetics clinic help?

Stretch marks start out as reddish lesions, called striae rubra, that can develop into more permanent, white lesions, called striae alba, over time. While stretch marks are the result of the progressive and often rapid stretching of the skin’s connective tissue, often associated with weight gain or growth in that area of the body, the precise cause is not well understood. Significant results have been reported using Venus Viva™, the industry’s most customizable skin resurfacing device powered by NanoFractional Radio Frequency (RF) with SmartScan™ technology that offers full operator control of ablation, coagulation, and resurfacing for optimal efficacy. Treatments are safe for all skin types with low downtime.

One published clinical study supports the effectiveness of Venus Viva™ in particular for treating stretch marks utilizing the NanoFractional RF™ applicator with SmartScan™ technology. In this study, patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV presenting with striae alba on the thighs, abdomen, or buttocks received three Venus Viva™ treatments at four-week intervals. Four weeks after the final treatment, surface area, length, and width of the treated striae alba significantly decreased from the baseline (p < 0.001), with patient satisfaction scores regarding improvements in texture, size, and overall appearance reported at 96.67%, 93.94%, and 96.97%, respectively.

Satisfaction ratings from participating physicians reported a minimum 50% improvement in 69.7% of patients. Furthermore, the incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in this study was lower than that reported in studies using fractional CO ₂ lasers (81.2%) and fractional Erbium glass lasers (36.4%). Further, the significant induction of dermal collagen and elastin production was observed in all patients, concluding Venus Viva™’s NanoFractional RF™ technology is highly effective and recommended for the safe treatment of striae alba via skin resurfacing.

Interested in learning more about the technology behind this device or how to increase your practice revenue with Venus Viva™ for the treatment of stretch marks? Contact an expert today using the button below.