Laser scar removal is possible for all skin and scar types. Scars result from trauma to the skin. In darker skin types, the dermal injury causes an initial darkening called PIH – post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Generally, all faults improve with time. Adding silicon gels and creams improves the healing process and leads to a better scar outcome. However, more extensive operations, trauma or infection can result in more severe scar outcomes and sometimes require scar revision treatments. Most often, this can be performed non-surgically with laser scar treatment. However, sometimes, scar revision surgery is needed. In addition, laser scar removal is a common request for people with self-harm, as it is a reminder of a past traumatic period in their lives, as is facial scar removal because of aesthetic prominence. Scars that Respond to Laser: Surgical scars, burns, acne scars, stretch marks, self-harm scarring, facial scars & PIH.
Laser Scar Removal
Laser scar removal is performed with different lasers, and the choice depends primarily on your skin type. For example, previously challenging to treat Asian skin and skin with colour can now be treated with the Pico Laser.
- The Pico laser has revolutionised scar treatment in darker skin types.
- Tixel is a non-laser fractionated resurfacing treatment that is excellent for some types of acne scarring.
- Radiofrequency (RF) skin needling, such as Infini and Secret RF, can be used for all skin types, especially acne scars.
- However, the gold standard fractionated CO2 laser can be used only in skin types 1 -3, not Asian skin. Therefore, it is often combined with RF skin needling.
Other treatments for scar removal include Dermapen skin needling, steroid injections, prescription creams and over-the-counter silicone gels.
Acne Scar Removal
Laser acne scar treatment is only one piece of the treatment planning puzzle. Acne scar treatment combines several modalities, including TCA cross, subcision, dermal fillers, and lasers. Lasers useful for acne scars include picosecond lasers for darker skin types, fractionated CO2 lasers and RF skin needling such as Infini. It is essential to diagnose the nature of acne scarring and build a plan. Unfortunately, it is never possible to achieve 100% removal. However, when you use combination treatments, cosmetic gains can be achieved.
Stretch Mark Removal
Stretch marks are considered scars, though there is no break to the skin; they result from the tearing of collagen and elastin in the dermal layer of the skin. Laser stretch mark removal improves the appearance of stretch marks by up to 80%. However, the best treatment approach depends on the age of the stretch marks.
- New stretch marks respond to silicone gels, RF skin needling and vascular lasers.
- In comparison, older scars respond to RF skin needling and CO2 laser.
Self-Harm Scar Reduction
This type of scarring can be difficult to treat, and combinations of lasers, including fractionated CO2 laser and RF skin needling.
PIH Treatment
PIH or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is not scarring but is often considered with this. It is generally a transient darkening of the skin and occurs in skin types high three and above. Asian and ethnic skin types are more prone to this. It occurs after any trauma to the surface, although acne is the most common cause. Sometimes injury results in a permanent PIH. PIH can be treated with the new picosecond lasers.
Hypertrophic Scar Treatment
Hypertrophic scars result from abnormal healing. Their occurrence is determined by genetics, the body part affected by injury and the degree of trauma or infection. These scars can be treated with silicone gel and injection of corticosteroids.
Facial Scar Removal
Facial scar removal is one of the common requests because facial scars alter the visible appearance and hence esteem significantly. However, the laser treatment depends on the skin type: Fractionated CO2 laser, RF skin needling and Picosure for scar remodelling in darker skin types.
Scar Revision Surgery
Sometimes non-surgical approach will not work, and a satisfactory cosmetic outcome requires scar revision surgery. Under optimal conditions, a second attempt with controlled healing is needed in traumatic or surgical scars impacted by infection. Scar revision surgery is performed with a backup of silicone gels to optimise healing outcomes.
Chicken Pox Scar Treatment
TCA cross is helpful for these as well as enlarged pores. 2-3 treatments are required, spaced 6-8 weeks apart.
Please book online or call 07 3350 5447 for a free assessment with our laser and skin Nurse, Christine.