Scars result when the skin repairs wounds caused by accident, disease, or surgery. They are a natural part of the healing process. The more the skin is damaged and the longer it takes to heal, the greater the chance of a noticeable scar. Typically, a scar may appear red and thick at first. Many actively healing scars that seem unsightly at three months may heal nicely if given more time.
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The way a scar forms is affected by an individual's age and the location on the body or face. Younger skin makes strong repairs and tends to overheal, resulting in larger, thicker scars than does older skin. Skin over a jawbone is tighter than skin on the cheek and will make a scar easier to see.
If a scar is indented or raised, irregular shadows will be seen, giving the skin an uneven appearance. A scar that crosses natural expression lines or is wider than a wrinkle will be more apparent because it will not follow a natural pattern nor look like a naturally occurring line.
Laser treatments are highly effective in scar revision by delivering short bursts of energy to smooth and sculpt scars to improve the skin's appearance. Several different lasers are available depending on the skin defect requiring improvement. A pulsed dye laser, for example, uses yellow light to remove scar redness and to flatten out raised scars such as hypertrophic scars or keloids. This laser can also improve itching and burning sensations in the scar. Hypertrophic scars or keloids typically need two or more pulsed dye laser treatments every two months.
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The CO2 laser works well for lifting "depressed" scars that give the skin a crater-like appearance, common with acne. It produces heat allowing the energy to go deeper into the skin and tighten the skin's collagen fibers. By tightening those fibers, the CO2 laser causes the scars to lift and look more normal in appearance.
Recovery typically takes seven to nine days. The amount of treatments is determined by the severity and location of the scarring.
This procedure is usually performed in the comfort of your doctor's office. Typically, you may resume normal activities and return to work immediately after your laser treatment. Should you be interested in this or should you have any other concerns or conditions please contact us and we will direct you to a doctor near you.