Various Scar Removal Methods Using Lasers

Provider: Imi Seok Theme Dermatology Clinic

Acne scars, surgical scars, various types of scars, and scar removal and treatment methods

Hello. This is Imi Seok Theme Dermatology.

It would be great if people could go through life without getting hurt, but contrary to our hopes, anyone can easily end up with minor or major scars from injuries.

Visible facial scars can leave even deeper emotional wounds. They interfere with a neat appearance, and because there is a limit to how much they can be concealed with makeup, they can cause significant appearance-related stress in situations such as job hunting and marriage. If they become severe, they can lead to social avoidance, so it is best to find the most suitable method, seek treatment quickly, and restore confidence.

So today, let’s look at the different types of facial scars along with treatment methods that can help remove scars.

Types of scars

Scars are the result of excessive proliferation and deposition of collagen in the dermis during the wound-healing process. There are many types, including smallpox scars, acne scars, surgical scars, post-herpetic scars, stretch marks, keloids, and hypertrophic scars.

Smallpox scars

Smallpox scars mainly occur in the central part of the face, but in severe cases they can appear not only on the entire face but also on the body. Their appearance is the same as chickenpox marks, and they are characterized by deep, drop-like indentations.

Acne scars

Next, the most common facial scars are acne scars. They usually occur when acne is squeezed by hand or irritated, leading to infection from bacteria under the fingernails, or when an inflamed sebaceous gland within a follicle ruptures and leaves a scar. Acne scars come in several types, such as the “crater type,” where the skin becomes widely or deeply pitted; the “erythema type,” where blood vessels rupture and the area turns red; and the “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation type,” where pigment remains after severe inflammation. Depending on the type, they can be treated with oral medication, lasers, acne peels, and other methods. It is known that if treatment is received early at a dermatology clinic, recovery of more than 80% is possible.

To prevent acne scars, you should not squeeze or irritate acne with your hands. In daily life, it is important to control sebum secretion through clean skin care so that acne does not develop. First, it is advisable to block environmental factors that can stimulate sebum secretion and to keep the skin clean with proper face-washing methods.

Surgical scars

Surgical scars are the deepest type of scars. They occur when the skin is cut down to the fat layer to perform suturing and then joined again, so the depth may extend below the fat layer.

Post-herpetic scars

Post-herpetic scars caused by shingles are relatively large and vary greatly in depth, leaving scars that can range from very shallow to very deep and severe.

Stretch marks

Stretch marks, where the skin splits in a wave-like pattern, are also a type of scar. Stretch marks occur when the skin suddenly expands due to pregnancy, obesity, or rapid physical growth, causing it to stretch thinly and tear. In the early stage, they appear red and gradually turn into white stretch marks. If they are found early while still red, emergency care such as applying a vitamin A derivative ointment with skin-regenerating effects to help collagen fiber regeneration may be used, or depending on the symptoms, treatment can be done with Vbeam Perfecta laser or radiofrequency treatment that helps regenerate the skin. However, in the case of “white stretch marks,” which are known as a difficult-to-treat skin condition, they do not improve easily with general care, so you must receive treatment appropriate for your skin condition through consultation. This is because a scar turning white is a sign that tissue growth has already ended.

Keloids and hypertrophic scars

Keloids and hypertrophic scars have the same symptoms and findings, so they are difficult to distinguish at first. However, hypertrophic scars calm down after a certain period, whereas keloids do not.

Scar treatment methods

For the treatment of various scars, from depressed acne scars to stretch marks and post-surgical scars, it is important to use lasers that help skin regeneration and to provide treatment that matches the cause and characteristics of the scar. Scar treatment methods include premium laser treatment and drug injection therapy & scar combination treatment methods. It is important to receive appropriate treatment through a dermatology consultation tailored to each individual’s scar cause and characteristics.

Premium laser treatment

Depending on the symptoms, such as burn scars and stretch marks, treatment can be performed with laser devices. Potenza uses radiofrequency energy to help improve acne scars, melasma, and redness. By delivering radiofrequency energy to the dermis, the skin can appear clearer and elasticity can improve within 2 to 3 days after the procedure.

Scarlet, which helps improve skin texture and treat scars such as stretch marks and keratosis pilaris-like acne, penetrates deep into areas that need regeneration through microneedles to induce skin regeneration and improvement.

For the difficult-to-treat skin condition known as “white stretch marks,” treatment appropriate for your skin condition can be received using erbium Fraxel lasers such as ICON XD or CO2 Fraxel lasers.

Drug injection treatment

Drug treatment is a method of restoring scars by precisely injecting medication into pores/scars to increase collagen and elastin synthesis. Because the effect can vary depending on the individual’s constitution, it is important to receive steady treatment with patience rather than aiming for a complete cure in the short term through consultation.

Precautions during scar treatment

• Be careful not to let water touch the treated area on the day of the procedure. It is best to wash your face the next day, and use a neutral cleanser for a light foaming wash.

• After the procedure, apply moisturizer, regenerative products, and sunscreen frequently.

• If you feel stinging when applying cosmetics you normally use, stop using them and replace them with non-irritating products.

• Let any scabs that form after the procedure fall off naturally.

• Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and intense exercise until the scabs fall off after the procedure.

• After the procedure, some areas may temporarily appear more pigmented. This is a phenomenon seen in lesions where the skin barrier has been damaged, such as melasma or pigmented lentigines, and it improves with sufficient moisturizing and regenerative care.

If you are worried about scars or looking for an effective solution, visit an experienced dermatology clinic, receive a consultation, and find the treatment that is right for you. Imi Seok Theme Dermatology Clinic, located near Sinsa Station in Gangnam-gu, treats patients with more than 600,000 clinical cases of experience and additional/replaced premium laser equipment, and provides treatment by planning a program based on the patient’s condition through precise diagnosis.