Your Essential Guide to Laser Scar Treatment
Scars can make you self-conscious of your appearance and may prevent you from wearing certain clothes like short skirts, sleeveless tops, comfortable shorts, or swimsuits. These visible marks may be caused by an injury or trauma on your skin. A scar is formed as your body’s natural way of healing and replacing damaged skin quickly. Your body produces collagen to repair the damage but you will no longer have the same flawless skin on the affected area as before.
Aside from its effect on your self-confidence, some scars can cause discomfort and limit your mobility especially if they are very tight or over a joint. If you wish to eliminate them, a laser scar treatment could be the best solution for your medical concern.
What Is A Laser Scar Treatment?
Laser treatment can help lessen the appearance of wrinkles, skin lesions, dark spots, and scars. It is effective even if the scar has been developed several years before. During the treatment, beams of light are used to either get rid of scar tissue or poke holes in it. Both techniques can stimulate the production of collagen and permit your body to create new and smoother skin. After the treatment, your scar will look lighter and less noticeable.
Two Types of Laser Scar Treatment
CO2 Laser Therapy - this uses continuous light beams or short pulses of light to eliminate thin skin layers with the least damage to the surrounding skin. Since this only targets a small amount of scar tissue in every treatment, a patient may need to have several visits to a skin expert for larger scars.
Fractional Laser Therapy – utilizes narrow columns of light which cause the collagen in the scar to tighten. Less skin is injured during the process. Since the laser goes deeper, scarring and increased recovery time are possible.
If you are considering undergoing a laser scar treatment, you must seek first the medical advice of a board-certified dermatologist so you can also discuss your concern and ask for recommendations on the right laser treatment for you. It is also essential that you must understand some basic information before getting treatment so you can achieve the best possible results for your scars.
7 Essential Facts About Laser Scar Treatment
1. Laser Treatment Cannot Totally Remove A Scar.
When you undergo a laser scar treatment, you are replacing an old scar with another less noticeable one. It cannot completely eliminate your scars from the skin. Lasers target the damaged outer layers that contain the scars so new skin cells can grow. A new and healthy skin layer is later formed as a result.
2. Consult A Dermatologist Before A Treatment.
It is important that you first consult a dermatologist who will examine your skin type and scar and ask for pertinent information about you. Do not keep your medical history from your doctor so your laser skin treatment will be successful. Tell about your scar’s history, any medications, and supplements that you are currently taking, and whether you have medical conditions like allergies or diabetes, among others. To heal well and avoid laser from blemishing your skin, you may need to stop taking some of your medications for a while.
Skin MD has board-certified dermatologists who will personally attend to every patient’s particular needs and take exquisite care in every consultation, treatment, and evaluation. Dermatologists know how to safely and properly take care of your skin. Rest assured that they will only recommend treatments based on your skin needs. They will be there every step of your skincare journey so you can achieve the best version of yourself.
3. Wear Sunscreen Before And After Treatment.
Protect your skin with sunscreen before and after a laser scar treatment. You are not qualified to undergo such therapy if you show up with a sunburn or heavy tan because you might experience adverse effects like skin discoloration and burning. After your treatment, you have to protect your skin from sun exposure by wearing sunscreen until your skin completely heals. You can develop a new scar if you fail to avoid direct sunlight when it hits your treated skin.
4. Make A Few Lifestyle Changes.
Lifestyle changes are important for proper healing and maintenance to obtain the best results from your medical procedure. Dermatologists recommend that a patient must observe the following after a laser scar treatment:
Quit smoking for at least two weeks.
Stop taking vitamin E, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory drugs that can delay the healing process.
Prevent yourself from using a retinoid or glycolic acid-based skin care products for 2 to 4 weeks.
Avoid sunlight.
5. More Than One Laser Scar Treatment May Be Required.
A series of laser treatments may be scheduled to achieve long-lasting results. It also depends on your skin condition and how your skin reacts to the medical procedure.
6. Follow Dermatologist’s Instructions After The Treatment.
Laser scar treatments have very minimal downtime to no downtime. Avoid sun exposure of affected areas, wear sunscreen and post laser intructions will be given after the procedure
7. It May Take Time To See Results.
The results are not immediately seen since your skin requires time to completely heal. It could take a few weeks or months to see the results of a laser scar treatment.
ALSO READ: Fractional CO2 Laser: 14 Essential Things You Should Know About This Acne Scar Treatment
Scars can affect your self-confidence and may limit your movement in some serious cases. While a scar is your body’s natural way of healing itself and replacing the damaged skin after it suffers from an injury or trauma, you don’t have to live with its marks forever. Restore smooth and damage-free skin through a laser scar treatment. Although it cannot completely get rid of your scar, the treatment will replace it with a new less noticeable one.
Stay informed about laser scar treatment to be guided in achieving the best possible results from the procedure. Lasers are just tools, see a board certified derm for treatment to avoid complications. Some aesthetic centers undertreat and may require 15-20 sessions when in fact, 5-10 sessionbs are all you need. Only board-certified dermatologists can determine the right settings, With their hel, you are assured safe and effective treatments.
Lasers are just tools and only the right hands will yield very good results