Laser treatment for scar removal. Laser Scar Removal: 10 Essential Facts Before Treatment
What are the key considerations for laser scar removal. How does laser treatment work for different scar types. What are the potential risks and benefits of laser scar removal. How many sessions are typically required for optimal results. What is the expected recovery time after laser scar treatment. How much does laser scar removal cost on average. Who is an ideal candidate for laser scar removal.
Understanding Laser Scar Removal: Mechanism and Effectiveness
Laser scar removal is an advanced cosmetic procedure that utilizes focused light beams to reduce the appearance of scars. This technology works by removing the outer layer of skin and stimulating collagen production, which can significantly improve the texture and appearance of various types of scars.
How does laser treatment specifically target scars? The laser light breaks down scar tissue and promotes the growth of new, healthy skin cells. This process can be particularly effective for:
- Acne scars
- Surgical scars
- Burn scars
- Stretch marks
Is laser scar removal suitable for all skin types? While laser treatments have come a long way in accommodating different skin tones, individuals with darker skin may face a higher risk of hyperpigmentation. It’s crucial to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine the most appropriate laser treatment for your specific skin type and scar condition.
Types of Lasers Used in Scar Removal Procedures
Various types of lasers are employed in scar removal treatments, each with its unique properties and applications. The choice of laser depends on the scar type, skin condition, and desired outcome.
Ablative Lasers
Ablative lasers remove the outer layers of skin, promoting collagen production and skin renewal. They are often used for more severe scarring.
- CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers: Effective for deep scars and wrinkles
- Erbium YAG lasers: Ideal for superficial to moderately deep scars
Non-Ablative Lasers
Non-ablative lasers heat the underlying skin tissue without damaging the surface, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture.
- Fractional lasers: Create microscopic wounds to trigger healing
- Pulsed-dye lasers: Particularly effective for red or raised scars
Can multiple laser types be used in a single treatment? In some cases, dermatologists may combine different laser types to achieve optimal results, especially for complex scarring. This approach, known as combination therapy, can address various aspects of scar appearance and texture simultaneously.
Preparing for Laser Scar Removal: Pre-Treatment Guidelines
Proper preparation is key to ensuring the best possible outcomes from laser scar removal. Following your dermatologist’s pre-treatment instructions carefully can minimize risks and enhance results.
- Avoid sun exposure for at least 4 weeks before treatment
- Discontinue use of retinoids and other potentially irritating skincare products
- Inform your doctor about any medications you’re taking
- Stop smoking, as it can impair healing
- Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet
Are there any specific skincare routines recommended before laser treatment? Your dermatologist may suggest using certain products to prepare your skin, such as gentle cleansers and moisturizers. They might also recommend pre-treatment with topical agents like hydroquinone to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially for patients with darker skin tones.
The Laser Scar Removal Procedure: What to Expect
Understanding the procedure can help alleviate anxiety and ensure you’re fully prepared for your laser scar removal treatment.
The typical steps in a laser scar removal session include:
- Cleansing and preparing the treatment area
- Applying topical anesthetic if needed
- Administering the laser treatment
- Applying cooling gels or ointments post-treatment
- Providing aftercare instructions
How long does a typical laser scar removal session last? The duration can vary depending on the size and type of the scar, as well as the specific laser being used. Most sessions range from 15 minutes to an hour. For larger areas or more extensive scarring, treatments may take longer.
Is laser scar removal painful? While pain tolerance varies among individuals, most patients describe the sensation as a mild discomfort, often compared to the snapping of a rubber band against the skin. The use of topical anesthetics and cooling systems during the procedure helps minimize discomfort.
Post-Treatment Care and Recovery: Maximizing Results
Proper aftercare is crucial for optimal healing and results following laser scar removal. Your dermatologist will provide specific instructions tailored to your treatment and skin type.
General post-treatment care guidelines often include:
- Keeping the treated area clean and moisturized
- Avoiding direct sun exposure and using broad-spectrum sunscreen
- Refraining from picking or scratching the treated area
- Avoiding strenuous activities for a few days
- Using prescribed or recommended skincare products
What is the typical recovery time after laser scar removal? Recovery time varies depending on the type and intensity of the laser treatment. For non-ablative treatments, downtime is minimal, and you may return to normal activities immediately. Ablative treatments may require 1-2 weeks of recovery time, during which you might experience redness, swelling, and peeling.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Laser Scar Removal
While laser scar removal is generally safe when performed by a qualified professional, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- Redness and swelling
- Temporary changes in skin color
- Mild discomfort or itching
- Dryness or flaking of the treated area
More serious, but rare, complications can include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Persistent skin discoloration
- Burns or blisters
How can the risk of complications be minimized? Choosing a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with extensive experience in laser treatments is crucial. Following pre- and post-treatment instructions carefully and being honest about your medical history and any medications you’re taking can also help reduce risks.
Cost Considerations and Insurance Coverage for Laser Scar Removal
The cost of laser scar removal can vary widely depending on factors such as the size and type of scar, the number of treatments required, and the geographic location of the practice.
On average, laser scar removal treatments can range from $200 to $3,000 per session. Multiple sessions are often necessary for optimal results, which can significantly impact the overall cost.
Is laser scar removal covered by insurance? In most cases, laser scar removal is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance. However, there may be exceptions if the scar is the result of an accident or causes functional impairment. It’s advisable to check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details.
Many dermatology practices offer financing options or package deals for multiple treatments, which can help make the procedure more affordable. Be sure to discuss all costs and payment options during your consultation.
Realistic Expectations and Long-Term Results of Laser Scar Removal
Setting realistic expectations is crucial when considering laser scar removal. While significant improvements can be achieved, complete elimination of scars is not always possible.
Factors that can influence the outcome of laser scar removal include:
- Age and type of scar
- Skin type and tone
- Individual healing capacity
- Adherence to pre- and post-treatment care
How long do the results of laser scar removal last? The results of laser scar removal can be long-lasting, but they are not necessarily permanent. Factors such as aging, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits can affect the longevity of results. Maintaining a good skincare routine and protecting your skin from sun damage can help preserve the improvements achieved through laser treatment.
It’s important to note that some scars may require multiple treatments or a combination of different therapies for optimal results. Your dermatologist can provide a more accurate assessment of what to expect based on your specific case.
Are there any alternatives to laser scar removal? While laser treatments are highly effective for many types of scars, they are not the only option. Depending on your specific case, alternatives might include:
- Chemical peels
- Microneedling
- Dermal fillers
- Surgical revision
- Topical treatments
Your dermatologist can help you determine the most appropriate treatment or combination of treatments for your unique situation.
In conclusion, laser scar removal can be an effective solution for improving the appearance of various types of scars. By understanding the procedure, its potential risks and benefits, and setting realistic expectations, you can make an informed decision about whether this treatment is right for you. Always consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss your specific case and develop a personalized treatment plan.
10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar
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Laser Treatment for Scars: Pros, Cons, and Risks
Written by Teresa Beard
In this Article
- What Causes Scars?
- What Is Laser Scar Treatment?
- How Does Laser Scar Removal Work?
- What Can You Expect After Laser Scar Removal?
- Are There Complications of Laser Scar Removal?
Living with scars can be difficult. A scar can change the way you think about and see yourself, but it can also affect your life in bigger ways. Some scars can even limit your motion. There are several ways to reduce the look of your scars, including laser treatment.
Scars are the result of an injury or trauma to your skin. The severity of this type of injury varies, with more serious injury resulting in bigger and deeper scars.
When your skin is damaged, all of its available resources are transferred to the affected area with the goal of repairing the damage as quickly as possible. This is why scars don’t have the same smooth, neat pattern as standard skin. Your body creates collagen (a type of protein) to fix the damage.
Scars can have side effects that impact your life, including:
- Problems with movement, especially if the scar is over a joint or particularly tight
- Pain, even long after the wound has closed
- Itchiness
- An appearance you don’t like or are self-conscious about
Laser treatment is also referred to as laser skin resurfacing or laser scar revision. This treatment can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and skin lesions, as well as scars. It can be effective even several years after a scar has formed.
Laser treatment is done in a doctor’s office and doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. The doctor will use a local anesthetic on the treatment area, and you may be administered an oral sedative.
During the treatment, beams of light will be used to either remove scar tissue or poke holes in it, depending on the type of laser used. Both methods stimulate the production of collagen and allow your body to create new, smoother skin. After the treatment, your scar should appear lighter and less noticeable.
Laser treatment doesn’t remove scars completely. In essence, you’re replacing one scar for another that’s smaller and not as noticeable. It may also take multiple treatments for you to see desired results.
There are two types of laser treatment available, including CO2 laser therapy and fractional laser therapy.
CO2 laser therapy. This type of therapy uses short pulses of light or continuous light beams to remove thin layers of skin with minimal damage to the surrounding skin. A small amount of scar tissue is targeted during each treatment, so you may need multiple visits for larger scars. Recovery time for this type of therapy can be up to two weeks.
Fractional laser therapy. Fractional therapy uses many narrow columns of light, causing the collagen in the scar to tighten. Less of your skin is injured in the process, but — because the laser goes deeper — there’s also the possibility for additional scarring and increased recovery time. The typical recovery time for this type of treatment is one week.
If you’re considering laser treatment, make an appointment with a dermatologist to discuss the procedure. They’ll look at the scar you want treated and make a recommendation for the best type of laser treatment.
After the laser treatment, a bandage will be applied and should be left on for 24 hours. After that, you should clean the area between 2 to 5 times per day with a saline solution or a diluted vinegar solution. You can also apply a healing ointment, like Eucerin or Aquaphor. The goal is to prevent a scab from forming.
Healing time is typically between 5 to 21 days, depending on the type of treatment.
Once the area has healed, there may be some redness for as long as a few months.
There are some possible side effects of using laser treatment, including:
Aggravating cold sores. If you have a history of cold sores, laser treatments can aggravate them, especially if the treatment is around your mouth. Let your doctor know if this is a concern, and they should be able to give you an antiviral medication before the treatment.
Milia. Milia are small, white bumps, similar to tiny whiteheads. They’re not a serious complication but can be annoying or unsightly. Gentle exfoliation with a warm cloth should remove them. If this doesn’t help, your dermatologist can also remove them.
Hyperpigmentation. There may be a darkening effect on your skin after laser treatment. You can use a skin-lightening cream if you’re concerned about it. You should also use sunscreen if you’re spending time out in the sun after treatment.
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prices for facial and body treatments at Absoyut Med Clinic
- What are scars?
- What are the types of scars?
- How is laser scar removal surgery performed?
- What are the benefits of laser scar removal?
- Are there any contraindications?
- How is rehabilitation going?
- Are complications possible?
- Laser removal of scars before and after photos
- Prices
- How to make an appointment?
Absolut Med Aesthetic Cosmetology Center offers laser scar removal.
In our work we use the German device Dermablet MCL-30. Removing scar tissue with an erbium laser is a great way to get rid of the unsightly marks of injuries and surgeries on your body.
What are scars?
Scars are marks that remain on the body of a person after a completely healed burn, after surgery or after an injury. They are composed of collagen, so they do not have hair and sweat glands. Scar tissue is sensitive to ultraviolet light.
What are the types of scars?
- Hypotrophic scars. They are located below the level of the skin, and form ugly pits. Mostly they remain after acne and chickenpox. To remove scars after acne, as a rule, more than one procedure is needed.
- Normotrophic scars are located at the level of the skin, their surface differs from the skin in an uneven surface and in color. They can be removed in one go.
- Hypertrophic scars. These are scars that often form after a deep cut. They protrude above the general level of the skin.
Removed by laser resurfacing several times. - Keloid scars. Outwardly, they look like hypertrophic. Usually, such a scar is wider than its base. It can hurt, and the person experiences an unpleasant itch. They appear in people whose body is prone to the formation of such scars even after minor cuts.
Removed by laser resurfacing several times.How is laser scar removal performed?
The essence of laser scar removal is that scar tissue is removed layer by layer. With the help of an erbium laser, the epidermis is evaporated. At the same time, the depth of impact is strictly controlled. As a result, blood circulation improves at the site of the scar, lymphatic drainage improves and the formation of healthy skin is stimulated.
Depending on the amount of scar tissue, the doctor decides whether to use local or general anesthesia. In normal cases, local anesthesia is used.
If the scar is a small person does not feel pain during the procedure, but only a slight burning sensation.
Scar treatment takes place in several sessions.
Usually these are two or three procedures, with an interval of three to four weeks or a month. If the scars are quite large, it may take up to 10 months.
What are the benefits of laser scar removal?
- The operation is very effective, as it makes it possible to remove the formations completely.
- During the procedure there is no contact with the wound, which means there is no danger of infection of the tissues
- Scars of various sizes can be removed
- It is possible to provide a point effect without affecting healthy tissue
- Operation without blood (what is its main difference from surgical scar removal)
- Since the effect of the erbium laser is very gentle, there is no hyperpigmentation after the procedure.
- During the operation, according to patients, there are no serious pain sensations.
Are there any contraindications?
Contraindications for laser scar removal include the presence of diseases such as:
- Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Blood clotting problems
- Diabetes mellitus
- Oncological diseases
- Acne
- Presence of inflammatory processes
Also, laser scar removal should be postponed during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
It is still impossible to laser-treat skin with a fresh tan.
How is rehabilitation going?
The skin recovers for five days after the operation. During this postoperative period, care must be taken not to damage the place where the procedure was performed. Do not play sports, visit the sauna, swimming pool and bath.
The skin at the site of exposure should be treated with special antiseptic solutions and lubricated with ointments and creams for the treatment of burns.
It is important to wait for the formed crust to peel off by itself.
After the procedure, avoid direct sunlight on the scar for one and a half months. In cases where several procedures are required to completely remove the scar, it is very important that the body has time to recover within three weeks.
Are there any complications?
Complications after laser scar removal are very unlikely. If they do appear, then in cases where the patient does not follow the recommendations in the first week after the procedure.
Laser removal of scars and scars before and after photos
Laser removal of scars, scars, stretch marks
| Name 90 120 | Price for 1 procedure |
| stomach 1 zone (upper third, middle, lower) | 7,000 rubles |
| back 1 zone (upper third, middle, lower) | 7,000 rubles |
| hips 1 zone (anterior, lateral, posterior, inner) | 7,000 rubles |
| mammary glands | RUB 12,000 |
| buttocks | RUB 12,000 |
| Scar resurfacing (per sq. cm) | RUB 1,200 |
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Chvyrova Tatyana Nikolaevna
Chief Physician, Head of the Clinic, participant of Russian and international scientific conferences for cosmetologists, dermatologists, allergists. Read more…
Cosmetologist, dermatologist.
Kotova Irina Nikolaevna
Graduated from the Yaroslavl State Medical Academy in 2004. Participant of television programs: “About the most important thing”, “Fashion sentence”, “Pretty woman”. More…
Cosmetologist, trichologist.
Deryugina Elena Yurievna
Graduated from the Vladivostok State Medical Institute. Over 29 years of experience in medicine. For 10 years she worked as a dermatologist. In aesthetic medicine since 2000. More…
Cosmetologist, dermatologist.
Laser scar removal
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The medical center “SM-Clinic” offers a service of laser resurfacing of scars and scars using innovative equipment – fractional CO2 laser MORE XEL APHRODITE. Carbon dioxide laser technologies are today a priority solution for many aesthetic problems, occupying a leading position in their niche.
The procedure allows you to eliminate a number of aesthetic defects, is performed on an outpatient basis and is absolutely safe, painless and physiological, it is performed by qualified dermatologists-cosmetologists of the SM-Clinic.
CO2 laser skin resurfacing is your investment in beauty, youth, health and self-confidence! To date, it has been professionally mastered and officially tested. Dermatologists guarantee its safety and effectiveness of use.
Indications
Laser removal with the MORE XEL APHRODITE device can be recommended for the elimination of cosmetic defects and the treatment of a number of dermatological diseases and their consequences. These include:
- scars left after acne, injuries and operations on the skin;
- hyperpigmentation, age spots of any origin, including age-related changes;
- papillomas, fibromas, warts, warts, calluses and other benign neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes;
- signs of aging, loss of skin smoothness, deep wrinkles.
Contraindications and restrictions
The use of a carbon dioxide laser has almost no contraindications, except for:
oncology,
pregnancy,
febrile conditions and acute inflammatory processes.
Most of these restrictions are temporary. However, access to laser manipulations is given only by a doctor, a preliminary consultative visit to the dermatologist of the clinic is mandatory!
How laser scar removal works
Duration of the procedure
15 minutes
Duration of the course
5-7 procedures
Anesthesia:
not required
Preliminary preparation for the session is not required. The More-Xel APHRODITE device is universal, for skin resurfacing a special dermatological nozzle with a fractional CO2 laser is used. When using it, a deep vertical penetration of laser beams into the epidermis is achieved. In a short time of exposure, collagen synthesis is stimulated, blood flow and lymph movement increase, as a result of which tissues become noticeably more elastic and toned, scars and skin irregularities are smoothed out.
During the consultation, the doctor selects the optimal parameters of the device for each client, which can be adjusted in the process of exposure to the skin. An additional plus of the fractional laser is its equipment with a special analyzer that scans the surface of the epidermis, determines its type and moisture level for better and safer exposure. Pain, burns and any tissue damage are completely excluded, only a slight thermal effect and a slight tingling sensation are felt. The maximum values of the energy impact on soft tissues are reached in milliseconds, due to which the laser energy does not have time to heat them.
Results of laser scar removal
The effect can be seen already after the first session, but for a full-fledged result, it is necessary to complete a course recommended by a dermatologist, usually 5-7 days. As a result, the color and relief of the skin gradually improves, scars are smoothed out, and pigmentation is lightened. No rehabilitation after the sessions is required, you can easily go to work, making the method suitable even for very busy people.
Only a few recommendations need to be followed during the procedures:
- use maximum sun protection when in the sun;
- do not visit solariums, if possible, avoid any insolation;
- do not visit baths and saunas.
It is advisable to consult your dermatologist regarding the use of skin care products during this period.
When undergoing a course of laser skin correction with the MORE XEL APHRODITE device at the SM-Clinic, contact with potentially sick visitors to the dermatology department of the medical center is excluded. The procedures are carried out in a separate room “Laser treatment”.
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Prices for laser scar removal
Primary appointment (examination, consultation) with a dermatovenereologist | 2 200 RUB |
Repeated appointment (examination, consultation) with a dermatovenereologist | 1 900 rub |
Consultation of a candidate of medical sciences | 2 900 rub |
Doctor of Medicine Consultation | 4 500 rub |
Consultation (interpretation) with analyzes and examinations of third parties | 2 350 rub |
Laser resurfacing of scars (fractional CO2 laser) – 1 cm2 | 3 000 rub |
The posted price is not an offer. Medical services are provided on the basis of a contract.