GET RID OF UNWANTED SCARS
Scars are difficult for anyone to deal with. As residual proof of previous trauma, surgery, or illness, scars can cause social embarrassment, poor body image, and lower self-confidence. You don’t have to live with scars, however, because laser scar removal can minimize or even eliminate some scars forever.
What is Laser Scar Removal?
Lasers improve the texture, color, and tone of the skin as a result of a phenomenon called the “heat and heal” cycle. Essentially, skin cells are damaged by the laser’s heat after which the skin increases the production of collagen to heal the skin, which remodels the scar. Not all scars can be improved with laser scar removal treatments but, with the near-constant technological improvements in laser treatments for scars, even if your scar cannot be dramatically improved now, changes in laser capabilities may give you a solution in the next few years.
Who is a Candidate for Laser Scar Removal?
Those who have bothersome scars that they would like removed can benefit from laser scar removal. Scars are created when a wound heals poorly or overzealously. A scar has a different texture than the skin that surrounds it and may be one of these three types:
- Hypertrophic: these scars are raised above the level of the surrounding skin
- Keloid: similar to hypertrophic but may be larger, painful, itchy, and extend beyond the borders of the original wound. Keloid scars may continue to grow.
- Contracture: a scar that limits the range of motion, such as a scar between the upper and lower arm the makes it difficult to straighten the arm.
How is Laser Scar Removal Performed?
In our experience, the Fractional CO2 Laser Fractional CO2 laser is often the best laser for scarring because it delivers improvement in the skin over time with very little to no downtime.
When you arrive at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, you will be given medications to relax you, followed by the application of a cream anesthetic. Both you and our Medically Certified Aesthetician will wear special glasses to protect your eyes from the laser light. The laser handpiece makes a noise each time it treats a section of skin, followed by cooling. When the treatment is complete, you will feel as if you have a sunburn. Depending on the size of the scar, your session may take from 10-20 minutes.
Recovery and Results
Most Fractional CO2 laser patients find that both the treatment and recovery are fairly uneventful, with the feeling of sunburn the first symptom of the laser treatment. This is followed by 3-5 days of peeling until the skin has recovered. Fractional CO2 treatments require several rounds to deliver the highest level of improvement in scars. Depending on your situation our Nurse Practitioner may give you a prescription for antibiotics and/or fungal medication as a precaution prior to a laser treatment for scarring. Our Medically Certified Aesthetician will recommend specific post-laser skincare products for cleansing and toning the skin, as well as recommendations for sun exposure following laser treatments.
Old scars don’t have to trouble you forever. At Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center, we have affordable laser treatments for scars that can dramatically improve your scars and your self-confidence.
If you’d like to discuss the possibilities that laser treatments can minimize or eliminate your scars, please call the scheduling team at Genesis Cosmetic Laser Center at (843) 669-2220 to book your Free consultation.
“If you want to relax, watch the clouds pass by if you’re laying on the grass, or sit in front of the creek; just doing nothing and having those still moments is what really rejuvenates the body…”.
