A laser may seem like a magic wand that can remove any scar. Medical lasers, on the other hand, are not toys. It’s crucial to understand this fundamental information before having laser surgery for a scar in order to achieve spectacular results and avoid severe side effects.
To be precise, laser treatment does not eliminate scars. Many scars may now be treated with lasers owing to recent medical advancements. Laser treatments can include:
- After surgery, prevent a raised scar from forming.
- Reduce scar discomfort and irritation.
- Improve your range of motion if a scar has restricted your mobility.
- A scar may be made less visible by laser therapy, but it can’t be removed. When you have laser scar treatment, you’re getting another scar that’s slightly less obvious than the one before it.
Results are highly dependent on the quality of the person performing the laser treatment. Dermatologists are at the forefront of researching and using lasers to treat scars. Laser treatment, when performed by a board-certified dermatologist, can effectively treat a variety of scars.
When a person performing your laser treatment has no medical expertise or specific skin knowledge, the treatment may not provide the desired outcomes. It might even be dangerous.
2. Before any laser treatment, it is critical to obtain a medical consultation. If someone offers to remove your scar before giving you a medical examination, walk away.
It’s critical for the person performing your laser treatment to understand who you are. Everyone is different. To properly treat a scar, the individual performing the laser treatment must consider your skin type, the characteristics of the scar, and your overall health.
Tell your dermatologist if you have any of the following during a medical consultation:
- Get a cold sore.
- Have any medical condition, including diabetes.
- Smoke
- Taking any medications or supplements
It’s critical for your dermatologist to know what benefits you anticipate from therapy. Be upfront.
4. It’s critical to use sunblock before and after laser therapy. If you come for laser treatment with a tan or a sunburn, your dermatologist will be unable to help you. Applying a laser may result in serious burns or discolouration of your skin.
You’ll need to put up with any sun deprivation while your treatment is being applied. If the harmful rays of the sun hit your treated skin, you may develop a scar again.
5. Before getting laser therapy, you may need to make a few lifestyle adjustments. To heal properly and get the greatest effects from the laser treatment, dermatologists advise patients to follow these steps:
- Before having laser therapy, you must quit smoking for at least two weeks.
- Stop using vitamin E, aspirin, and other drugs that might harm your recovery.
- Stop using retinoid or glycolic acid-containing skin care products for 2 to 4 weeks.
- If you’re prone to getting cold sores, take a drug to avoid developing them.
- Avoid the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. You can’t get treated if you have a tan or a sunburn.
6. Laser therapy may be used in conjunction with other therapies. To provide patients with the greatest outcomes, dermatologists frequently employ more than one therapy for scars. If a patient has deep acne scars, for example, a dermatologist may utilize a laser to treat them. A filler may also be utilized.
7. Multiple laser treatments might be required. A dermatologist may program a series of laser treatments for patients who require long-term benefits and maximum improvement. Non-ablative lasers, which use different types of light to destroy the top layer of skin rather than breaking down tissues beneath the surface, are one such type. You won’t have any downtime from this laser because it doesn’t remove tissue; however, you may need several laser treatments to see the desired effects.
8. You’ll need to care for the treated region at home after laser therapy. Following your dermatologist’s instructions for at-home treatment after laser treatment will result in the best results while avoiding negative effects.
9. Results do not appear overnight. It might take months for laser scar treatment results to appear, and you may only notice minor changes at first.
10. It’s possible that insurance won’t cover the expense. Laser scar treatment can help relieve pain and itching scars sometimes cause. If a scar is preventing you from moving freely, laser therapy may assist you in doing so. Insurance companies, on the other hand, view laser therapies as non-health-related treatments. Health insurance does not typically cover cosmetic procedures.