Acne Laser Scar Treatment:
Laser Scar Treatment
by Margaret in Laser Scar Treatment
Laser scar treatment is an excellent option if you are tired of your scars. After the procedure, you won’t need makeup or clothing to cover up your scars, giving you the self-confidence you need to be able to shine.
After acne, surgery, or accidents, you may be left with an unpleasant scar. Despite the fact that they are a natural result of the body’s attempts to healing itself, they can feel ugly, making you self-conscious. The good news is that you can finally get rid of them with laser scar treatment, a permanent procedure to make your scars less noticeable. Unlike many cosmetic procedures, there is no need for return visits once the initial course of treatment is complete. Although miracle creams or serums may promise that your scars will magically disappear, laser treatment for scarring actually delivers results.
Laser scar treatment is safe and effective for most scars, including acne scarring and other facial scars that can be tricky to hide. It requires just a few days of recovery, and is less invasive than procedures involving knives. Plus, it carries a very low risk of side effects.
During the procedure, a laser beam will be targeted at your skin. You will be wearing safety glasses to protect your eyes from the laser while the doctor holds a handheld laser device to your skin. The laser light is delivered in pulses, which feel a bit like a rubber band snapping against your skin.
After the procedure, your skin will need about a week to heal. The skin will be red and a little swollen, and you should avoid the sun for about a month to keep your skin-color from becoming lighter or darker in the affected area.
Most scars are treatable using laser treatment. However, you should not count on immediate disappearance of the scar, with most people finding that the process reduces the scar’s appearance by 50 to 80 percent. The results do vary from person to person, of course, and depend on the severity of the scar and the type of laser used. The larger the scar, the longer it will take to treat. Scars on most areas of the body can be treated with laser scar treatment.
There are three main types of scars; all can be effectively treated using laser treatment for scars:
- Keloid scars: Firm, raised, reddish-purple scars extending beyond the initial wound site. They may grow over time.
- Hypertrophic scars: Firm, raised, and pink. Unlike Keloid scars, these remain within the boundaries of the original wound site. They may fade over time, or remain their original size.
- Atrophic scars: These are not raised, but indented into the skin. They are usually the result of skin conditions or acne.
When deciding if laser scar treatment is right for you, consult a doctor who is trained in using lasers for scar removal. For your procedure to be successful, you must find a reputable doctor who will take your skin and scar type into account when planning your course of laser treatment.
Laser Technologies used in Scar Treatment
by Margaret in Laser Scar Treatment
Did you know that there is actually a wide variety of laser technologies used for laser scar treatment? There is not just a “one-size-fits-all” type of laser used for all scar treatment procedures. These lasers are constantly being developed, leading to more effective scar treatments with a shorter recovery time following the procedure. Today’s lasers are much improved, and much more precise than lasers used just a few short years ago.
Most of the lasers work by carefully removing the top layers of the skin. As the scar is removed, healthier and smoother skin is revealed. This type of scar removal is generally used on raised scars. For indented scars, the other main type of laser treatment for scarring is employed. These technologies work by promoting the growth of collagen under the scar, filling in indented scars from the inside.
The laser technologies used during the procedure vary in the wavelength of light emitted, which affects how deeply the lasers beam can penetrate the skin. Different wavelengths are more effective for different scar types. The most commonly used lasers include:
1. CO2 lasers. One of the oldest lasers used for scar treatment, they are most effective for acne scar treatment. They remove one layer of the skin at a time until healthy skin has been exposed.
2. Erbium lasers are very similar to CO2 lasers. However, they can be used on more skin types (darker skin), and carry a lower risk of complications, than CO2 lasers.
3. Er:YAG laser systems are much newer than either CO2 or Erbium lasers. This system is most effective against acne scarring or the edges of larger scars. It is considered more effective than earlier types of lasers, and causes less damage to the surrounding skin. After undergoing laser scar treatment using Er:YAG lasers, most patients have less swelling, resulting in a shorter recovery period. Plus, it can be used effectively on people with darker skin, whereas earlier lasers can only be used on pale skin.
4. The Pulsed Dye laser, or PDL, is a short-wavelength laser usually used for hypertrophic and keloid scarring. These reddish or pink scars are effectively treated because this laser type is drawn to the hemoglobin in blood, which is what gives the scars their color. Because of how PDL works, it can also be used to treat stretch marks.
5. Q-Switched lasers are used for pigmented scars made dark by melanin. They work by targeting the melanin in the skin. These are generally the safest laser to use on people with very dark skin.
To make matters more confusing, these laser technologies are used under several brand names. And as you can see, they vary greatly in how they are used. Your laser scar treatment clinic will choose the right laser type for your skin type and scar.
Laser Scar Treatment Choices
by Margaret in Laser Scar Treatment
When beginning the process of planning for laser scar treatment, you may be surprised at the number of choices available to you. It’s important to understand these options and how they affect you. So long as you have chosen a reputable clinic, your doctor will walk you through the available options. Although most scar treatment lasers work in the same way, there are still several kinds from which to choose. Theydiffer on the type and severity of scars they are able to treat. If your treatment is performed with the wrong kind of laser, you may not get the results you’d hoped for.
There are two main types of laser, including nonablative and ablative. Nonablative lasers work by triggering the formation of collagen under the skin. They work best for filling in indented scars and reducing redness. They include pulse dye lasers and N-Lite lasers.
The more common type, the ablative laser, works by removing the top layers of the skin. This process has been compared to sanding down a rough tabletop. Ablative lasers include CO2, Erbium, and Nd:YAG lasers. While the CO2 laser was once the one most commonly used for acne scar treatment, new lasers have since replaced it. Despite this, many doctors continue to use older styles of lasers, so make sure you understand the difference between them before agreeing a procedure. Older lasers may not be as effective or have a higher risk of side effects. Complicating the matter, these lasers are used under various brand names.
Your doctor will determine the type of laser depending on your scar. The lasers have been specifically developed for certain types of scars, including keloid, hypertrophic, and atrophic. Laser treatment is able to treat most kinds of scars. Flatter scars respond best to treatment, but even severe scarring can be treated.
Your choice may be affected by the doctor you have chosen. Not all laser scar treatment providers have access to all of the different types of lasers. For the best results, choose a doctor who offers the latest laser technology and has been fully trained in its use. It is important to calibrate the laser settings correctly to each individual patient’s needs in order for it to be as effective as it can be.
After the initial treatment session is over, you’ll have the option of additional treatments. Many people undergo a few treatments; each will further reduce the size and appearance of the scar. After any number of treatments you can decide to leave the scar alone if you are satisfied with its appearance. Many patients undergo as many as 6 or 8 laser scar treatments; eventually you may see diminishing results from continued treatment, as scars cannot be completely removed.
Benefits of Scar Treatment using Lasers
by Margaret in Laser Scar Treatment
If you have been considering laser scar treatment, then of course you know the reason most people choose to undergo it: scars feel ugly! If given the choice, most people would prefer not to have scars. We all have them; they’re an unavoidable fact of daily life. After an injury, scarring results from the skin’s attempts to naturally heal itself. Most people either assume that they will be stuck with the scar forever, or turn to miracle creams or serums in the hope that the scar will magically disappear. Laser treatment provides an effective way to get rid of these unsightly scars. If you have assumed that your scarring was permanent, and are tired of living with them or trying to cover them up, then laser treatment may be right for you.
The good news for acne sufferers is that laser acne scar treatment is particularly effective against acne scarring. These permanent scars can be a lasting reminder of your acne, and they frequently occur on the face, making it all the more important to get rid of them. Acne scars are usually fairly flat, and the lasers employed in laser scar treatment are especially effective against this type of scarring.
It can also be used on other types of scarring caused by accidents, cuts, or burns. Even the redness associated with these raised scars can be reduced. Laser scar treatment can get rid of the physical scar, helping you to move past the painful reminders of the cause of the scar. Most people want to forget about the cause of their scars, whether they are due to acne, an accident, or another injury. The treatment can help the scarring fade away so that your bad memories can too.
Laser scar treatment can have a profound impact on your daily life, as you can go without the heavy makeup or clothing you may be using to cover up your scars. You’ll no longer have to choose your makeup or clothing based on hiding your scars. This can come with a great sense of freedom. It can be particularly helpful if you have facial scarring, which are hard to cover without layers of makeup. After laser facial scar treatment, you’ll be able to show off your natural skin and stop hiding behind the makeup. You’ll be able to wear the clothing you want, without worrying about whether your scars are showing.
Many people find their self-confidence lifted after undergoing laser treatment. The procedure can help your outside appearance match your inner beauty. If you’ve ever wished that your scars would just disappear, laser treatment may give you that chance.
Laser Scar Treatment Introduction
by Margaret in Laser Scar Treatment
Most of us have some form of scar somewhere on our body. In most cases these are minor, hardly visible and rarely even thought about. Sadly there are those people whose scars are more significant to the point where they regularly feel self-conscious. This could be scaring as a result of surgery, consequence of an accident or acne scars. Whatever the cause, they are an ever present reminder, often leading to feelings of awkwardness especially when the scar can easily be seen.
Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to erase the memory of the scar, or the reason for its existence, however minimizing the visual appearance of the scar can provide a huge boost in confidence .
What Is Laser Scar Treatment?
Laser scar treatment, sometimes referred to as laser scar removal, is based on a technique called scar revision. This is because scars cannot actually be removed completely, however their appearance can be greatly improved. Depending on the circumstances the scar may be made difficult to see even to people who knew of its existence.
There are several factors which affect the treatment required , these include the depth and size of the original wound, your skin color and thickness. The treatment of unwanted scars has been greatly improved by advances in laser technology, leading to better success rate rates.
How Does It Work?
The laser scar treatment required will be affected by the severity of the scar requiring revision. Minor scars can be treated using a laser which stimulates the production of collagen and new skin cells to grow, creating healthy looking smooth skin. More prominent scars will first require micro-dermabrasion treatment to remove, in a uniform manner, the superficial layers of skin prior to regeneration.
What can I expect?
After treatment there will be some inflammation and soreness in the area treated. In order to avoid further irritation or side effects you will need to follow the skin care advice of the clinic for several days, until skin renewal has completed. Depending on the severity of the scar repeated treatments will be required, each of which will gradually improve the appearance of the result.
It is important to understand before undertaking laser scar treatment that while your scar may be significantly reduced in appearance, possibly to the point of hardly being visible, it cannot completely be removed. Being realistic about your hopes for the results of laser treatment gives you a good basis to begin your research for the advice and treatment that are right for you.