Scars can develop as the result of acne or other types of inflammatory problems of the skin, such as infections, chickenpox, surgery or trauma. Most scars improve with time. However, early intervention may affect the way a scar remodels itself and may minimize its appearance. Depending on the type of scar, laser sessions using combination fractional and traditional laser resurfacing and cortisone injection are best, while surgical excision is recommended for those cases of keloidal scarring.
Red raised scars respond well to lasers that decrease their blood supply, which leads a lighter, flatter and softer scar. Sometimes injections of steroids and occlusive dressings are good adjuncts to improve results.
Depressed scars come in different varieties. Those that have sharp edges are either treated with a resurfacing laser or TCA application to smooth out the edges, or the scar is removed surgically and re-sutured properly. Scars that have soft edges (typically acne scars) are best filled using injection of a filling agent or by stimulating production of one’s own collagen below the scar to elevate it. This is done precisely using the laser treatments referred to as “collagen laser”. Subcision, a surgical method that involves numbing the skin with local anesthesia, and then breaking the scar using a special needle is a technique that not only breaks the fibers of scars tissue that depress the skin but it also stimulates new collagen formation that elevates the scar.
Some bruising and swelling develop for a few days after the treatment. More than one treatment session is needed for best results.
Generally, a combination treatment is the recommended approach to obtain the best results.
