Laser Scar Revision

Scars are formed due to some injury by burns or accidents or operations. The body produces scar tissue made of collagen and this looks different from the surrounding skin and tissues. Some scars are deep or thick or long or red and they are ugly to look at, especially if they are in the exposed part of one’s body. Many people would like to remove or at least lessen the appearance of the scar. Doctors suggest that they should wait for at least a year to see if the scar lessens or disappears normally during that period. If it doesn’t, then medical intervention becomes necessary and a scar revision is considered.

There are many methods of scar revision. All medical procedures carry some risk, though in the case of scar revision, the risk is minimal. Earlier laser treatments were tried in the case of keloid or hypertropic scars. These scars are tough, rough and quite deep and are formed when the wound has already been filled. By late 1990s the use of Laser in scar revision became accepted since the scars, especially the surgically related ones, were responding well and giving good results.

It is not only surgical or burn scars that are treated by lasers. Even acne (pimples) and chicken pox scars can be treated effectively by lasers. The laser light is used effectively to cut the overproduced collagen and lessen the scar tissue. Many types of lasers can be used for different purposes. Pulsed dye laser is effective in reducing the inflammation in keloid and hypertropic scars. They also reduce the itching in the scars. Those scars that indent in the skin can also be resurfaced to the surrounding skin by the use of this type of laser. Surgical laser is an effective resurfacing tool in the management of scars. Studies show that the surgically repaired wound area should be treated with laser approximately five weeks later. This results in a scar which is definitely less noticeable than it would have been if the treatment with laser had not been done.

Though it is still a mystery how they work, it is a fact that lasers are effective in scar revision. Studies and research is being carried out on this topic. However the laser light is effective and as there are no side effects to this procedure and no risk either, it is perhaps the safest method for scar revision. The only care that is to be taken is that the surgeon selected should be an experienced one who is a board certified plastic surgeon