Treatments / Skin / Stretch mark treatment
Stretch Mark Removal in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and London
Smoother skin after pregnancy
Stretch mark treatment with Mr Siva Kumar, using IPL, CO2 laser and Morpheus8 to fade and smooth stretch marks, with a tummy tuck where there is loose skin too.
At a glance
About stretch marks
The earlier they are treated, the better
Stretch marks are a type of scar. When the skin stretches faster than it can adapt, as it does in pregnancy, growth spurts or rapid weight change, the collagen and elastic fibres in the deeper layer of the skin break, and the skin heals with thin, flat scars.
New stretch marks are red or purple because they are still healing, and this is when they respond best. IPL fades the redness, and CO2 laser starts remodelling the stretched skin. Over the following months they mature into pale, silvery lines that are harder, though not impossible, to improve.
For established white marks, CO2 laser and Morpheus8 make them flatter, smoother and less noticeable over a course of treatments. Where pregnancy has left loose skin or separated tummy muscles as well, a tummy tuck removes the skin below the belly button, and the stretch marks on it.
Treatment can make stretch marks much less noticeable, but rarely invisible. Mr Kumar plans a combination that suits the colour of your marks, your skin type and how much loose skin there is.
Stretch mark treatment can help with
- New, red or purple stretch marks
- Older, white or silvery stretch marks
- Stretch marks on the tummy after pregnancy
- Stretch marks on the hips, thighs and breasts
- Stretch marks with mild loose skin
What it won’t do
- Make stretch marks disappear completely
- Tighten large amounts of loose skin, which needs a tummy tuck
Options
Matched to your stretch marks
IPL (intense pulsed light)
Light energy targets the blood vessels that make new stretch marks red or purple, so they fade and blend in. A course of sessions about four weeks apart, with little or no downtime.
- Best for: new, red or purple stretch marks
- IPL
CO2 laser
A fractional CO2 laser remodels the stretched skin and builds new collagen, making the marks flatter, narrower and smoother. Used early, it helps them settle better. Usually a course, a month or more apart.
- Best for: red and white stretch marks, uneven texture
- CO2 laser
Morpheus8
Fine needles deliver radiofrequency energy beneath the surface, stimulating collagen and tightening the skin. Usually the safer choice for darker skin. Up to three sessions, four to six weeks apart.
- Best for: older stretch marks, mild loose skin, darker skin
- Morpheus8
Tummy tuck
Removes the loose skin between the belly button and the bikini line, and the stretch marks on it, and repairs separated tummy muscles where needed.
- Best for: stretch marks with loose or overhanging skin after pregnancy
- Tummy tuck
Watch & read
Everything you need to know, in one place
Patient guide
Stretch mark treatment: your patient guide
A detailed booklet written by Mr Kumar. It explains the procedure in depth, how to prepare, every risk and complication, and how to look after yourself afterwards.
Opens as a booklet you can flick through. Your copy is also given to you at consultation.
Your journey
Your step-by-step journey
Your journey starts the moment you get in touch. From your first enquiry to your final check-up, you deal with the same small team, and you will always feel listened to, informed and never rushed.
Get in touch
Call, email or send an enquiry, and we will find a time that suits you.
Tell us what you would like to improve, and we will make sure the right treatment is discussed at your appointment.
Consultation
A face-to-face assessment with Mr Kumar, who explains the options, costs and any risks.
Prescription treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections are only given after a proper medical assessment. You never have to decide on the day.
Treatment
IPL takes 20 to 30 minutes and needs no anaesthetic. CO2 laser and Morpheus8 take 30 to 60 minutes after numbing cream. You go home straight afterwards.
You will know exactly what to expect, and receive aftercare advice and a number to call afterwards.
Review
A review appointment, usually after about two weeks, checks your result.
Any small adjustments can be made at this stage.
Maintenance
Advice on how long your result will last and when, if ever, to repeat treatment.
There is never any pressure to book further treatment.
Recovery
Healing, step by step
Everyone heals at their own pace. This is a typical recovery, and Mr Kumar will give you a personal plan.
Mild redness for a few hours to a day. Carry on as normal.
The area is red and feels sunburnt. Keep it moist with the ointment provided.
The skin flakes and peels. Wear loose, soft clothing over the area.
Redness and swelling for a few days, sometimes with faint grid marks that fade.
Collagen keeps remodelling and the marks continue to improve.
Safety
Risks and staying safe
All surgery carries some risk. Mr Kumar will go through these with you in detail, and the patient guide covers them in full, so you can make an informed decision.
Possible risks
- Redness and swelling
- Darker or lighter patches of skin, more likely in darker skin types
- Blistering, rarely
- Infection, rarely
- The marks not improving as much as hoped
Lowering your risk
- Avoid tanning the area before and during a course of treatment
- Tell Mr Kumar if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as some treatments are best left until afterwards
- Tell Mr Kumar if you tan easily or have darker skin, so the treatment can be adjusted
- Tell us about all medicines and supplements, especially blood thinners
- Stop smoking and vaping well before and after your procedure
- Follow your aftercare plan and attend every follow-up
Fees
Guide price from£599
Self-pay consultations £250.
One package price. No hidden surprises.
If you go ahead, you receive a single package price covering your whole journey, so you know exactly what you are paying before you commit. It usually includes:
- Your surgeon’s fee
- Procedure room or theatre fees
- Laboratory analysis where needed
- Follow-up and wound check
- Support whenever you need it
- A clear written quote
FAQs
Your questions, answered
Can stretch marks be removed completely?
Without surgery, rarely. Treatment can make them much less noticeable: flatter, smoother and closer to the colour of the surrounding skin. A tummy tuck removes the stretch marks below the belly button completely, along with the skin they are on.
When should I start treatment after pregnancy?
Red stretch marks respond best, so there is no need to wait for them to fade. Treatment can usually start once you have recovered from the birth. If you are breastfeeding, Mr Kumar will advise on timing.
Which treatment is best for white stretch marks?
CO2 laser or Morpheus8, usually as a course. Their texture improves more than their colour, as white marks have less pigment than the surrounding skin.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need a course: three to five sessions of IPL for red marks, and several sessions of CO2 laser or Morpheus8 for older marks. Your plan is explained at your consultation.
Is it suitable for darker skin?
Yes, with care. Morpheus8 is usually the safer choice, and laser settings are adjusted to reduce the risk of pigment changes.
Is it covered by insurance?
Stretch mark treatment is considered cosmetic, so it is not covered by health insurance.
Stretch mark treatment: what is the guide price?
The guide price starts from £599. Your final fee depends on your treatment plan and choice of hospital, and is confirmed in a written quote after consultation. Self-pay consultations cost £250.
Locations
Where to have your stretch mark treatment in Kent, Surrey and Sussex
You are seen by Mr Siva Kumar at The Ü Clinic in Sevenoaks, Kent, or The Ü Clinic in Oxted, Surrey. If you need a larger procedure, it can be done at one of his partner hospitals: The McIndoe Centre in East Grinstead, West Sussex, KIMS Hospital in Maidstone, or North Downs Hospital in Caterham. See all of Mr Siva Kumar's clinic and hospital locations.
Both clinics are within easy reach of Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, West Malling, Westerham, Swanley, Dartford, Gravesend, Orpington, Bromley, Redhill, Reigate, Caterham, Coulsdon, Purley and Croydon. KIMS Hospital in Maidstone is close to Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Aylesford and Ashford, and The McIndoe Centre in East Grinstead is close to Crawley, Horley, Haywards Heath and Edenbridge. Patients also travel from across Sussex, including Brighton, Worthing, Horsham, Eastbourne, Hastings and Crowborough.
Stretch mark treatment cost: guide prices start from £599. Your fee is confirmed in a written quote after your consultation. See all prices.
Thinking about stretch mark treatment?
Start with an unhurried consultation with Mr Siva Kumar at The Ü Clinic in Sevenoaks or Oxted. Self-pay consultations cost £250.