Scars can be disfiguring and cause self consciousness that can negatively impact a persons’s life.
Not everyone is a good candidate for laser scar removal. Common conditions that are not compatible with laser are people with psoriasis, dermatitis or cystic acne. Other requirements can be discussed with your doctor as each potential patient must be individually evaluated.
Certain medication must be stopped prior to starting laser removal. Be sure to disclose all medications.
Scars are the results of a healing process of a wound-healing process. The steps start with inflammation, the moves on to forming a protective tissue, and ends with changes to collagen which affects the connective tissue causing scarring.
Lasers have been successful in treating keloid scars(Reddish-purple scars that build over time), hypertrophic scars (firm pink colored scar tissue expanding beyond the wound), and atrophic scars (resulting from skin conditions such as acne).
Other factors will affect the severity of the scarring. The degree of scarring is affected by disruptions to the healing process by certain factors such as too much or too little collagen.
During the treatment, the laser device is passed over the length of the scar. This should remove a layer of scar tissue and expose the fresh new skin layer below. This skin will heal over time minimizing the scars presence. Other types of lasers may be used for treating layers of skin located lower down. These lasers are also able to stimulate collagen growth which promotes additional healing capabilities to the scarred area.
Laser scar removal is usually done as an outpatient procedure and performed under local anesthesia. The process can take anywhere from a matter of minutes to over an hour.
Follow up instructions usually include keeping the area clean by gently washing with mild soap, apply an antibiotic ointment followed by a bandage. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics as a precaution to be sure there is no chance of infection. Usually it is advised to take over the counter medication for any pain you’re experiencing. A cold compress may offer some relief when applied to the area.
The healing process differs from person to person. The speed of recovery and improvement depends on the individual’s skin characteristics, your individual healing capabilities, and how well you follow the instructions you were given for aftercare. Your doctor will usually require a follow up in 6 – 8 weeks to give the area time to heal. At that time, additional treatment may be recommended.