All sorts of scars, whether from injury, burns, or normal post operative healing, can be treated with lasers, injections, and medications. These methods are often combined. With advances in lasers, our providers can assist in the prevention of new scar formation as well as the reduction in size of existing scars.

Laser Assisted Scar Prevention

After surgery or injury, scars will sometimes begin to form. Clinical research dating back to the early 2000s shows that the eventual scar size can be dramatically reduced with laser prevention techniques. For patients with a recent surgery or trauma, we use the Pulsed Dye Laser to minimize scar formation. When used during the few months after a surgery or injury, this laser can result in a substantial improvement in the final appearance of a scar.

Longstanding Scars

To treat the scars that have been around for years, we design a program based on the size and shape of the scar as well as a patient’s history with previous scar treatments. This can require the use of lasers, injections, medications, or a combination of all three which are monitored and performed by our clinicians.

Fractional CO2 Laser

Recent breakthroughs with the fractional CO2 laser have shown that enlarged so-called hypertrophic scars can be treated with a combination of lasers and topicals. The fractional CO2 laser makes microscopic holes in the body of the scar. For two weeks after the laser treatment takes place, patients will apply a topical cortisone type of medication in the treatment area. The microscopic holes allow for the medication to penetrate to necessary depths in order to shrink the scar. In a noteworthy medical journal article, this procedure was used to treat young children, attesting to its safety.

Pulsed Dye Laser

When scars are significantly red we also include the Pulsed Dye Laser as part of the scar reduction treatment plan. This laser attacks the redness and blood vessels in a scar to diminish its appearance. There is no crusting because the laser is designed to bypass the skin and find the vessels that supply the scar.