Laser Scar Treatment
If you know that you’ll be having surgery, it’s best to consult with Dr. Sherber several weeks prior so that laser treatments to optimize scarring can commence prior to surgery. Pre-treating areas of skin into which incisions will be made with gentle non-ablative fractional lasers in the week prior to surgery summons pro-healing cytokines to the area and sets scar healing up for success.
Once a scar is present, studies show that best results with lasers are achieved when treatment begins 2 weeks after suture removal. Depending on the appearance of your scars, Dr. Sherber will select a combination of micropulsed Nd:YAG treatments and fractionated non-ablative laser treatments as your scar begins to evolve. Best results are achieved when individual elements of the scar tissue - such as redness, discoloration, and textural change - are treated with specific laser wavelengths.
In general, multiple treatments are needed to confer improvement, with consistency being better than intensity. Older or more mature scars require more treatments to effect a change in the tissue. Depending on the individual characteristics of your scar, Dr. Sherber may advise a brightening serum or tension offloading silicone sheets by Embrace as adjunct treatment during the course of laser treatments. Broad spectrum sunscreen is critical for times when the scar is exposed to sunlight.
01Consultation + Preparation
In preparation for the consultation it is important to let us know if you have a history of herpes simplex cold sores, so that for certain treatment areas we may prescribe an oral antiviral to prophylax against an outbreak. For your first treatment, discontinue any retinoids (retinol, Retin-A) for a week prior to treatment unless you’re counseled otherwise. Dr. Sherber will then advise you on this for future treatments based on your skin’s response to the laser. It is also critical that the skin not be suntanned or self-tanned prior to any laser, light, or energy treatment.
During the consultation, our team will take high resolution photographs for your record so that we can observe the results of your treatment with accuracy. We will then ask you about your medical history, including current medications and any prior procedures. Dr. Sherber will talk with you about your specific goals and customize a treatment plan for you that might include other treatment modalities such as steroid injections, subcision, or chemical peels.
02Procedure
Treatments are comfortable and typically do not take a great deal of time to perform. A laser treatment session may begin with the application of a topical numbing.
Once the targeted region has been prepared, a handpiece is used to precisely and evenly deliver the energy to the area. A warm or spicy sensation may be felt during treatment, but once the treatment is complete, patients can often return to their daily schedule, depending on the intensity of the procedure.
healing
renewing
effective
smoothening
03recovery
Immediately post-treatment Dr. Sherber will apply a gentle but potent customized serum based on your skin type to enhance the effects of the treatment since it increases absorption of active ingredients. Redness, swelling, and itching can all be possible effects of the treatment but should go away within a few hours post-treatment.
Your usual activity can be resumed immediately after treatment and makeup can be applied to the areas treated as you will not have peeling or bleeding.
04results
After a laser treatment or series of treatment sessions, patients will notice immediate and/or gradual improvement in the scars that were treated.
Ideally, these treatments need to be repeated several times, often a few weeks apart, to achieve optimal results. In some cases, treatments are performed in a series over the course of several months depending on the area of concern.
recommended productsExpertly Edited + Best in Class
La Mer - The Concentrate
Embrace Scar Therapy
bioCorneum+
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF40
