Laser Scar Removal

Scars can be caused by scores of different factors such as chicken pox, ice picks, acne, injuries or surgeries. Although these conditions heal in their own time, they leave an ugly scar behind. The scar is actually the natural part of the skin's healing process, however, some of them can really hurt and cause inconvenience. Even after the wound heals completely, the large, raised scar gives the person a complex and makes him or her conscious of his or her appearance, especially if the scar is on the face, neck or hand. The best part about these scars is that they can be treated and erased. Laser technology has made it possible to erase scars and free you of those ugly, hideous scars. Laser scar removal is seen to reduce the appearance of scars by 50-80% and even prevents them from recurring in the future.

Laser Scar Removal Procedure

The laser scar removal procedure is a safe process and does not conduce to further open wounds. In this treatment beams of lasers are targeted on the scarred tissues of the skin, which get burnt of by the powerful laser beams. The new tissue formed is unlike the scarred tissue and the blemishes are reduced to a great extent. Laser scar removal heals quickly and the reduction of visibility of scars helps hoist the person's self confidence and self-esteem.

The entire procedure takes only 1-3 hours, however, this procedure has to be repeated several times before the objective is achieved. The amount of actual time taken for the procedure depends mainly on the type of scar being dealt with. The laser scar removal procedure can either be carried out in a surgeon's office, hospital or outpatient surgery center. Let us have a look at the steps of laser scar removal.

Determination of Scar Type
On consulting a surgeon regarding laser scar removal, the surgeon will first check for the type of scar indenting one's face or body. Moreover, he or she will also check for the depth of the scar. Large and deep scars will take longer to treat, with several rounds of the laser treatment being required. Minor scars will take hardly any time to erase. The dermatologist will check if the scar is a keloid scar (caused by injury), contracture scar (caused by burns), hypertrophic scars (caused by surgeries) and acne scars (severe acne causing ice picks).

Selection of Laser Treatment Type
There are four types of laser popularly used to treat scars. The carbon dioxide laser treatment, involving the use of ultra-pulsed beams on the scarred tissue works well for reducing scars. Then there's the YAG laser treatment, involving the use of short pulsed laser beams for treating acne scars. Intense pulsed light (IPL) is used to treat scars caused by sun damage, wherein intense pulsed light is used. In the pulsed dye laser treatment, a flash lamp is used to flash beams of specific wavelengths to vaporize scarred tissue. Read more on how does a laser work.

Anesthesia
For minor scars, anesthesia is often not given. The person will only feel a prickly sensation or slight burning sensation while the laser works into the scar. However, for larger scars, local anesthesia will be given. Even desensitizing ointments are available which will help numb the part in question.

Vaporizing the Skin
Once the anesthesia is given, the laser beam is targeted exactly at the scarred tissue and is moved along the scar's length. The initial layer of scarred tissue get vaporized, revealing a fresh layer of skin from beneath. When this underlying layer of skin heals, it will have a minimized version of the scar. Larger scars will have to be vaporized several times before the final reduced appearance outcome is achieved. The skin appears smoother, lighter with 50% of the scar erased out.

The laser treatment cost will depend on the number of hours undertaken for the laser treatment. Moreover, the more the repetitions required, the higher the cost goes. The laser scar removal cost also depends on the type of laser used and the facility where the treatment is being carried out. The price ranges from $500 to $5,000 or more. One important point to be noted is that not everybody is eligible for laser scar removal. Your dermatologist will guide you in this matter. It is also essential to know that laser scar removal procedures do not magically erase the scar completely. They can reduce its appearance but may not be able to erase large scars completely.

source: buzzle.com

How can I get rid of my scars

There might be the case when you ask your friends on how to get rid of scars. Let’s know what this article exactly talks about and what the scars are? When there is an injury, our skin automatically produces more cells in order to re-grow the injured skin. This tissue is known as scars. These scars are easily visible because the cells that grow in making up the scars are of lesser quality than the original cells. They are less resistant to UV radiation and are not able to grow any hair since they have no follicles.


When we look for the questions likes ‘how can I get rid of my scars’ or ‘how can I remove my scars’, we should be well familiar with the fact that scars can never be completely healed. There are a number of medical and cosmetic methods to cover up scars, but none of them can claim to remove them completely.

There are many natural and herbal treatments to remove scars. These herbal methods are safe, simple and cost effective. These methods are generally simple home treatments, and they have no harmful effects. You can try these methods before going in for complicated surgical procedures.

Herbal remedies to remove scars

There are several natural and herbal remedies to prevent and treat scars by opening the kitchen cabinet. These herbal methods are inexpensive and safe to use.

- Cucumber - The cucumber is very helpful in the removal of scar tissues. Prepare a paste of cucumber and apply directly onto the scars. This will help the scars to smoothen out after a few applications left overnight.

- Indian Gooseberry - The Indian gooseberry (amalaki) is very beneficial in the prevention of scars after healing. Gooseberry is a good source of vitamin C, which is very essential for cementing the open wounds.

- Garlic - Cut a clove of garlic into half and rub it on the acne scars. This helps to treat the acne without leaving a scar behind later on.

- Aloe Vera - Aloe Vera is also an effective herbal remedy for the treatment of residual scars. Its juice acts as natural bleach. When applied directly onto the scars it helps the scar to slowly reduce and vanish.

source: buzzle.com

Treat Scars on the Face

Scars occur when a wound to the skin fails to heal quickly. They can be the result of an injury, surgery or skin conditions such as acne. You can generally treat scars by removing the scarred tissue and allowing the skin to grow back without the scarring. The specific procedures for treating facial scars include laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, dermal fillers and chemical peels.

Use Mederma or other scar creams to prevent scars from forming on your face. Emollients that keep the skin moist can help skin lesions heal more quickly, which can keep scar tissue from forming. Consult with a dermatologist if you already a scar on your face. An existing scar generally requires medical treatment, and several options are available. Get laser resurfacing. This treatment is most commonly used on the face because it requires a longer recovery time than other methods, and the skin on the face heals especially quickly. The skin readily absorbs the light from the laser, which vaporizes the upper layers of the skin as required to remove the scar.

Receive dermabrasion. This technique removes the upper layers of skin through some mechanical means. A dermabrasion tool generally consists of a diamond-tipped head that rotates very quickly to remove the skin. A dermatologist operates the dermabrasion tool manually, so the results are highly dependent on the operator's skill. Select a chemical peel. A chemical peel consists of a solution of glycolic acid and may be performed at home or by a dermatologist. The chemical peel will remove the top layers of skin, depending on the strength of the acid. Chemical peels for home use typically have a concentration between 10 and 20 percent. Dermatologists use glycolic acid solutions as strong as 70 percent.

Receive a dermal filler. A dermatologist may inject various materials under the skin to fill out the indention caused by a scar. It's most commonly used on the deep pitted scars caused by acne. Common dermal fillers include collagen, silicone and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA.)

Treat Scars on the Nose

The way in which you treat a scar on the nose is really dependent on the type of scar. For many people with a scar on this area of the face, it's usually a result of acne or chickenpox. Others may experience scarring due to trauma or other medical conditions. Regardless of how the scar formed, it's often possible to reduce its signs with medications and medical procedures. There's even a self-care method that can bring about positive results.

Try massaging the scar. Raised scars can respond favorably to regular massage. You're essentially breaking down scar tissue so that it flattens out with the rest of the skin. This method may take several months to provide results.

Talk to your doctor about corticosteroids. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommends corticosteroid injections along raised scars on the skin, causing them to soften and even out with the rest of the skin. Even those affecting the nose can respond to this type of treatment. However, you may need to use a cortisone tape on such a sensitive area.

Invest in a silicone-based gel. This type of treatment is best for raised scars, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Simply apply the solution onto the scar to cause it to soften and flatten with the rest of the skin.

Consider a soft-tissue filler. The Mayo Clinic recommends this type of procedure for acne scars that are sunken into the skin. Collagen or fat can be injected under the scar to level it with the rest of your skin. This is a temporary treatment, as the filler dissipates over time.

Talk to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon about a resurfacing procedure. Both dermabrasion and laser therapy are considered skin resurfacing. They can work on both raised and sunken scars. The top layer of the skin is removed, prompting new skin growth, while the lower layers are stimulated, which can cause the production of collagen. Collagen can firm the skin, reducing the signs of scarring on the nose.

Think about cosmetic surgery. While this is probably the most expensive method of scar removal, you may be able to completely eliminate the appearance of scarring on the nose with cosmetic surgery. Punch grafts use donor skin from another area of the body to replace scarred tissue. A small suture is needed to attach the graft, but it can be less noticeable than the original scar.