Laser scar treatments don’t make a scar disappear. Instead, they’re designed to make a scar appear less noticeable.
The body begins the process of repairing a wound after a skin injury. A scab develops over the injury to protect it from germs, then eventually falls off. Sometimes, the skin underneath a scab is the same color as the rest of the body. However, depending on the depth of the injury, a scar often remains after a scab falls off.
These scars may fade or become lighter with time. When a scar becomes permanent, laser treatments can be used to remove the outer layer of the damaged skin’s surface. They smooth the skin to improve tone and appearance.
These lasers are also used to target blood vessels in the scar tissue and reduce redness. They can also penetrate the skin’s surface to stimulate the production of new skin cells.
During your consultation, your doctor will decide the best procedure for improving a scar. Your options may include the following:
Ablative or laser resurfacing
Fractionated laser resurfacing
Non-ablative laser resurfacing
Are there any risks or side effects?
Because this procedure uses light and heat to treat damaged skin cells, you may experience side effects, such as:
