Laser treatment for scars reduces the appearance of scars. It uses focused light therapy to either remove the outer layer of the skin’s surface or stimulate the production of new skin cells to cover damaged skin cells.

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Laser treatment for scars can reduce the appearance of warts, skin wrinkles, age spots, scars, and keloids. It doesn’t completely remove a scar. Although scars can’t be completely removed, studies have shown that laser therapy can effectively minimize a scar’s appearance and thickness.

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Ablative or laser resurfacing:

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  This type of treatment improves the appearance of scars, warts, and wrinkles. Resurfacing removes the outer layer of skin and eliminates skin cells that have been damaged at the surface level. Your doctor may use a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for deeper scars, or an erbium laser for surface scars.

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Fractionated laser resurfacing:

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  A laser penetrates a deeper layer of the skin’s surface to remove dark pigmented cells. This procedure also stimulates collagen production and skin cell renewal, which can make your scars appear less noticeable.

 

Non-ablative laser resurfacing:

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  Infrared heat lasers penetrate the inner layer of the skin. This also stimulates collagen production and cell renewal to replace damaged skin cells.

Laser treatments for scars are outpatient procedures, although the length of procedures vary. You can expect some mild discomfort during treatment. Your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area so you don’t feel pain.