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Laser is an effective treatment for many skin problems, but how effective is laser scar treatment? This is what the article will answer in detail.
Let us know the most important information about laser scar treatment in the following
Laser scar treatment goals
The medical laser is one of the cosmetic solutions preferred by some dermatologists, due to its ability to safely penetrate the layers of the skin, stimulate cell renewal and rid the skin of dead cells.
As for laser scar treatment, the treatment mechanism here depends mainly on creating a new scar in the skin in place of the old scar in order to stimulate the skin to renew its cells in the scar area and thus significantly reduce the appearance of the old scar.
Laser scar treatment may help
Reducing any redness or itching at the scar site.
Improving the appearance of the scar and making it less visible to the eye of the beholder.
Improving the ability to move the scarred area, especially when the scar extends over a relatively large area of skin, as in burn scars.
Types of lasers used to treat scars
Before starting laser scar treatment, the doctor usually discusses the options available from the different types of lasers before agreeing with the patient on the appropriate type for the case.
Here is a list of the most important types and techniques of laser used to treat scars
1. Nonablative Fractional Laser
In non-ablative laser skin resurfacing, the patient needs several sessions to get the desired results. This type of laser usually causes redness, swelling, and mild peeling of the skin, all of which fade within a few days.
2. Ablative Fractional Resurfacing
The patient needs to peel the skin with ablative laser for fewer sessions than the number of non-ablative laser sessions, but the recovery period is longer and the associated side effects are more severe.
3. Pulsed Dye Laser
Pulsed dye laser technology is usually used to cut off the blood supply to the scarred area, thus reducing its redness and preventing its increase in size, which is a good option for keloid scars.
4. Other types and techniques
The types of lasers used in the treatment of scars with laser do not stop at what was mentioned, but extend to include the following other types:
Carbon Dioxide Laser.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).
Q-Switched laser.
Sometimes more than one of the techniques mentioned above is combined during a single session or during the different stages of treatment.
Types of scars that can be treated with laser
Laser scar treatment is an effective treatment for many types of scars. Specifically, the following types of scars respond most to laser treatments:
Keloid scar: These are scars that are raised above the surface of the skin, and extend beyond the perimeter of the actual injury area, such as those resulting from surgery or a severe injury.
Hypertrophic scar: Like the previous type, it is in the form of a scar that is raised above the surface of the skin, but it remains in the vicinity of the injury area and does not exceed it, in contrast to the keloid scar.
Acne scars of different types: Acne scars may be in the form of clear bumps in the skin or in the form of pits or holes in the skin.
Shrinking scars: These are the scars that result from burns, and they are a difficult type to treat, but it is possible to combine several types of lasers to contribute to reducing the appearance of these scars.
Skin pigmentation: Skin pigmentation is characterized by the appearance of areas of the skin in an abnormal dark color.
Mature scars: These are also called old scars that turn white.
Categories that are not suitable for laser scar treatment
Although laser scar treatment is a treatment that has proven effective in a good percentage of cases, it is not suitable for everyone, as the following groups are advised to avoid it completely or to make changes determined by the doctor before undergoing the laser:
People with the following skin diseases
Contact dermatitis.
psoriasis
Cystic acne.
dark-skinned
People who take certain nutritional supplements or medications, such as: acne medications.
People who have recently tanned their skin.
Complications and side effects
The treatment may cause some complications and negative side effects that the doctor usually discusses with the patient before starting, and the severity of these symptoms varies depending on the type of laser used, the patient''s condition, and his skin type.
The following is a list of the most common and most important potential complications
swelling and general discomfort.
light bleeding
Dermatitis.
skin pigmentation.
Scales on the skin.
It is also possible that the laser used will make the scar worse in some cases, or the scar may remain the same without being affected by the treatment.
Important facts about laser therapy
Before thinking of resorting to laser scar treatment, a set of important facts and information must be understood, which are as follows:
The scar will not completely disappear even if the laser treatment used is effective.
Taking appropriate measures to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun is very important before and after undergoing treatment.
Realizing that the results will not appear immediately after the end of the session, but rather it may take a long period of time before obtaining the desired results, as the patient may need several sessions before he begins to notice any improvement in the scars.
