It's been said that time heals all wounds, but when it comes to scars, that's often not the case. Fortunately, current technologies make it possible to fade the persistent evidence of past injuries. Lasers are currently used in cutting-edge cosmetic and medical procedures such as surgery and hair removal. Reducing the appearance of unsightly scars also falls under the laser's repertoire of useful applications. A number of different types of lasers are currently used for this purpose.
Continuous Wave Carbon Dioxide
The earliest lasers for scar reduction used continuous wave carbon dioxide, or CW CO2 to resurface the skin. This type of procedure, referred to as ablative laser treatment, left predictable side effects such as redness, swelling, discoloration and infections. Skin may remain pink for several months after treatment with a CO2 laser.
As laser technologies improved, pulsed and scanned CO2 lasers grew in popularity as a way of delivering a more controllable result, with less extreme side effects. AgingSkin.Net notes that carbon dioxide lasers are helpful in the elevation of depressed scars.
Fractional Laser
KidsHealth explains that fractional laser therapy addresses scar tissue by treating deeper layers of skin, rather than the top layer, which is affected by laser resurfacing. Fractional lasers are nonablative, meaning they leave the surface of the skin intact. This affords the patient shorter recovery times.
DermNet NZ further elucidates the mechanisms by which fractional lasers work, explaining that this type of laser is unique in that it treats both the epidermal, or surface, and dermal, or mid-layer, skin. Fractional lasers go by such market names as Fraxel and Erbium:YAG.
Pulsed Dye Laser
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests pulsed dye lasers as a method for addressing raised scars such as keloids. Pulsed dye lasers use a high energy yellow light to remove redness and flatten scar tissue while relieving any itching or burning that may occur within the scar. Treatment may be repeated every two months to reduce thick scars.
Erbium Laser Peels
Erbium lasers can be used to soften lines and reduce the appearance of superficial scars, according to the University of Michigan. This process involves the removal of superficial layers of skin to reveal the smoother surface beneath them. Erbium laser peels are administered in a series of treatments, with energy levels increasing each time.
Member Comments