The Belief That Stretch Marks Are 'Permanent' Was Wrong. A Market Gap Gets Filled with 1,127 Procedures and 2.1x Growth.

Stretch marks can occur for various reasons, including pregnancy, childbirth, sudden weight changes, and growth spurts. Despite this, there is a deep-rooted belief that they are 'permanent' or 'unavoidable,' leaving many to give up without knowing they can be treated.

Many suffer silently, feeling they cannot go to hot springs or wear swimsuits. In an era where aesthetic medicine treats spots, wrinkles, and acne scars, stretch marks have remained a 'blank zone.' Specialized services were virtually non-existent, and many aesthetic clinics simply refused treatment.

Centum Medical's 'Velscar®' is changing this narrative. Since its 2023 launch, it has reached 1,127 cumulative procedures, recording 2.1x year-over-year growth from 2024 to 2025. It is currently offered at four clinics in Tokyo and one in Kyushu. A survey of 373 patients who underwent the treatment yielded an average rating of 8.1 out of 10.

Regarding the market, the global stretch mark treatment market was valued at approximately 125 billion yen in 2021 and is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.1% through 2028. Factors include increased appearance consciousness from social media, more exposure due to longer summers/global boiling, and body changes from dietary Westernization.

Velscar® utilizes a method that targets the 'inside of the grooves' of stretch marks using microneedles to introduce a proprietary serum. Unlike other methods that treat the entire area, Velscar® focuses only on the affected area, minimizing damage to healthy skin. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional treatments. Patents are currently pending for this methodology, equipment, and serum, and trademarks have been registered.

Users report positive feedback, such as being impressed by changes after one session and finding a solution they had long sought.