Scar Removal
in Devon, PA

Scars often serve as visible reminders of an injury, medical condition, or surgical procedure. Fortunately, there are many non-invasive treatment options available for scar removal.

At Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Pennsylvania, Jordan V. Wang, MD, MBE, MBA, and our board-certified dermatologists offer injectables, laser treatments, and energy-based devices to substantially reduce the appearance of visible scars without surgery or downtime. Our physicians work with patients of all ages, including young children, and customize each patient’s treatment plan to address all kinds of scars, including red scars, brown scars, surgical scars, acne scars, raised scars, or depressed scars with precision.

What causes scars?

Scars are often the result of an injury, accident, surgical procedure, or a side effect of cystic acne. They form when the skin becomes damaged, especially deeper down. When the skin repairs itself, new collagen fibers develop. Depending on the cause and healing process, scars can be depressed or raised, or red or darker in color. Scars can have a different texture compared to surrounding skin.

There are a few different types of scars, including:

• • • Atrophic scars – These indented or depressed scars sit below the surface of the skin.
    • Boxcar scars – These are broad, shallow, box-like depressed scars with sharply defined edges, frequently seen after active acne.
    • Ice pick scars – These small yet deep acne scars narrow into a point as they reach down into the skin.
    • Rolling scars – These acne scars develop at varying depths and have sloping edges that give the skin a wavy and uneven appearance.
    • Hypertrophic and keloid scars – These thick scars result from excess scar tissue. Hypertrophic scars stay within the confines of a wound, while keloids can grow beyond it.

At Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Pennsylvania, our board-certified dermatologists can treat all different types of scars, including the following:

• • • Raised scars
    • Depressed scars
    • Acne scars
    • Red, brown, and white scars
    • Surgical scars
    • Mohs surgery scars
    • Traumatic injury scars

Technically, laser scar treatments with resurfacing lasers work by stimulating new collagen and protein production in the area, with new skin that appears more uniform with the surrounding skin. Lasers help treat scars by accelerating their healing process, improving their pigment and texture, decreasing pain and itchiness, and improving the range of motion of the skin surrounding the scar. Other lasers and devices can be used to also stimulate collagen remodeling as well as discoloration, including red and brown.

Subcision, another type of scar removal surgery, involves cutting fibrotic strands to help replace this with new connective tissue to elevate scars.

Most laser scar removal treatments performed at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Pennsylvania are well-tolerated and involve little discomfort. Before a procedure, we apply topical numbing cream or local anesthetic to ensure a more comfortable treatment experience. Our board-certified dermatologists are highly trained in using lasers and always take the necessary steps to make patient comfort a top priority.

We offer a combination of Botox® Cosmetic and dermal fillers for facial scar treatment. Botox can temporarily relax muscles and lessen strain on the wound, softening the appearance of the scars. Dermal fillers can add volume to the skin, raise depressed areas of scars, and improve the scar’s contours.

While old and fully healed scars are still treatable, the optimal time for laser scar treatment is during the premature stage of scar formation or within weeks after an injury. Sooner treatment may help deliver better results.

You may begin to see improvement in the tone and texture of your treated area in the weeks following your laser procedure. Most patients may require multiple sessions to achieve an optimal outcome. Scars should gradually improve after each session, and full results become apparent after your final procedure.

Most laser scar treatments do not require much downtime. You might experience temporary redness, swelling, and mild tenderness at the treatment sites, but you should still be able to resume your normal activities. These common side effects typically subside within days to weeks. You should always protect your skin from sun exposure while it heals to avoid complications.

If you have scars that restrict movement or cause cosmetic concerns, you may benefit from a scar removal treatment. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained dermatologists use the most innovative methods in research and diagnosis of skin conditions to provide comprehensive cosmetic and medical treatment for all types of dermatologic conditions. If you have any additional questions about scar removal or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

Publications

Schoenberg E, Wang JV, Zachary CB, Saedi N. Treatment of acne scars with PRP and laser therapy: An up-to-date appraisal. Arch Dermatol Res 2019;311(8):643-6