10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar
A laser can seem like a magic wand that can make any scar disappear. Medical lasers, however, are nothing to play with. To get impressive results and avoid serious side effects, it’s important to know these basic facts before you have laser treatment for a scar.
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1. Laser treatment cannot get rid of a scar. Thanks to recent advancements in medicine, lasers are becoming a dermatologist’s go-to treatment for many scars. Laser treatment can:
Prevent a raised scar from forming after surgery
Reduce scar pain and itch
Increase your range of motion if a scar limits movement
Laser treatment can also make a scar less noticeable, but it cannot get rid of a scar. When you have laser scar treatment, you’re replacing one scar with another less-noticeable scar.
2. Your results depend largely on the skills of the person performing the laser treatment. Dermatologists are at the forefront of researching and treating scars with lasers.
In the hands of a board-certified dermatologist, laser treatment can safely treat many types of scars.
When the person performing your laser treatment lacks medical expertise and specialized knowledge of the skin, laser treatment may not give you the results you seek. It can even be dangerous.
3. A medical consultation is crucial before any laser treatment. If someone promises to treat your scar before providing a medical consultation, walk away.
Give your dermatologist a list of the medications and supplements you take. To heal well and prevent the laser from scarring your skin, you may need to stop taking something for a while.
It’s essential for the person performing your laser treatment to know about you. Everyone is unique. To treat a scar effectively, the person performing your laser treatment must consider your skin type, characteristics of your scar, and your overall health.
During the medical consultation, tell your dermatologist if you:
It’s also important for your dermatologist to know what results you expect from treatment. Be honest.
4. Sun protection is crucial before and after laser treatment. If you show up for laser treatment with a tan or sunburn, your dermatologist cannot treat you. Using a laser could cause a serious burn or discolor your skin.
After having laser treatment, you’ll need to protect your skin from the sun until your skin heals. If the sun’s harmful rays hit your treated skin, you can develop another scar.
5. You may need to make a few lifestyle changes before treatment. To heal well and get the best results from laser treatment, dermatologists recommend that patients:
Quit smoking for at least 2 weeks before laser treatment.
Stop taking vitamin E, aspirin, and other medications and supplements that can delay healing.
Stop using skin care products that contain a retinoid or glycolic acid for 2 to 4 weeks.
Take medication to prevent getting cold sores if you’re prone to developing cold sores.
Avoid the sun, tanning bed, or sunlamp. You cannot be treated if you have a tan or sunburn.
6. Your treatment plan may include more than laser treatment. To give patients the best results, dermatologists often use more than one treatment for scars. For example, if a patient has deep acne scars, a dermatologist may treat the scars with a laser. The patient may also get a filler.
7. You may need more than one laser treatment. To give a patient long-lasting results and the most improvement, a dermatologist may schedule a series of laser treatments. This is often necessary when using a type of laser called a non-ablative laser. You won’t have downtime with this laser, but to see the desired results, you may need a few laser treatments.
8. After laser treatment, you’ll need to care for the treated area at home. Following your dermatologist’s instructions for at-home care after laser treatment will help you see the best results and prevent possible side effects.
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9. Results take time to appear. It can take months to see the results from laser scar treatment, and you may notice little improvement at first.
10. Insurance may not cover the cost. Laser scar treatment can ease the pain and itch that scars sometimes cause. If a scar limits movement, laser treatment can help you move more freely. Still, insurance providers consider laser treatments cosmetic treatments. Health insurance generally does not cover the cost of cosmetic treatments.
If you’re considering laser scar treatment, the best way to find out if it’s right for you is to meet with a board-certified dermatologist. You can find one who specializes in laser procedures at, Find a dermatologist - Select the Specialty “laser procedures”.
Images
Image 1: Used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol.;49:1-34.
Image 2: Getty Images
References
American Academy of Dermatology, news releases:
“Scar treatments can improve patients’ quality of life.” News release issued Jul 28, . Last accessed Nov 22, .
“Popular anti-aging treatment emerges as effective treatment for difficult scars.” News release issued Feb 2, . Last accessed Nov 22, .
“Military dermatologists making strides in applying treatments for wounded warriors to injured civilians.” News release issued Mar 21, . Last accessed Nov 22, .
Prsic A. (, Apr 6) “Scar revision.” Medscape. Last accessed Nov 22, .
Considering Laser Hair Removal? Answers to Your 10 Best Questions
Warm weather means sunshine, swimsuits, shorts — and so much shaving! If you dread warm weather because of the additional skin exposure, laser hair removal is a good option to consider; it can greatly reduce your grooming demands.
Dermatologist Rachel Ward, MD, answers 10 questions that cover just about everything you need to know about laser hair removal.
1. How does it work?
Laser hair removal devices uses a light source that specifically targets the pigment in the hair itself. The quick pulse of light and energy essentially heats and melts the hair and subsequently damages the hair follicle. This prevents future hairs from growing in the follicle.
2. How many treatments will I need?
The process only works during the hair’s growth cycle, so the procedure is often done multiple times. You may have great results after three treatments, or it sometimes takes as many as nine.
Treatment needs can vary because the laser targets melanin, or dark pigment, in the hair follicles. The darker your skin is, the harder it is to distinguish between the skin color and the pigment in the follicles. You can still get good results, but it may take more treatments. If you have light skin and dark hair, you will likely get good results after just a few treatments.
3. Does it work for everyone?
It works with all kinds of hair, except for gray hair.
4. Is radiation involved?
No. The word “laser” stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, but it’s not like an X-ray. The treatment simply uses light and heat.
5. How should I prepare for the procedure?
It’s a good idea to stay out of the sun as much as possible before the procedure.
Ultraviolet light stimulates melanocytes, which create more melanin (pigment) in the skin. The greater the contrast between skin color and hair color, the more effective the treatment.
You should also avoid shaving for three or four days before the treatment. If the hair has grown out some, it makes it easier for the technician to see it. Definitely avoid waxing or depilatories as they pull the hair out of the follicle, leaving no target for the laser.
6. How long does it take?
This depends on the area being treated. Smaller areas like the chin or underarms may only take about 20 minutes; a leg or full back can take as long as an hour and a half.
7. Does it hurt?
The treatment is a little uncomfortable at worst because there are nerves attached to the hair follicles.
8. Are there areas where it doesn’t work?
Laser hair removal works just about anywhere, including the legs, arms, back, underarms and bikini line. The only places that are off limits are ones that can’t be seen such as inside the nostrils and around the orbit of the eyes.
9. What can I expect after treatment?
The treatment is effective for most people and is very safe.
The only problems you might experience afterward are a little swelling, redness or irritation around the hair follicles. This can last for a couple of days.
Hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) also sometimes occurs, but that typically fades pretty quickly. Burns or blisters may arise, but they are very uncommon.
10. Will the hair grow back?
“You may need a touch-up here and there — especially if you have a lot of body hair — but the overall effects of the procedure are lasting,” she says.
However, hormones sometimes complicate things. If you have an endocrine issue that increases your testosterone (such as polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that causes a hormone imbalance), you may have to return for more touch ups. Hair also sometimes grows back after pregnancy or menopause.
Are you interested in learning more about Skin Laser Equipment? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
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