Less Scars, More You: How Laser Scar Removal Works

Are you tired of living with unsightly scars? Good news: You may not have to. Lasers (an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation") can treat scars safely and effectively.¹ In fact, studies have shown that laser scar removal, or laser therapy, can minimize the appearance and thickness of scars.²

What Is Laser Scar Removal?

Simply put, laser scar removal treatment is a form of laser therapy that uses focused beams of light to treat damaged areas on the body. This type of laser treatment, also called laser skin resurfacing, is designed to reduce the appearance of scars, but can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles, tighten skin and even out skin coloring.³

The benefits aren't just cosmetic. Laser treatments for scar removal can also reduce the itching and pain caused by scars, and increase your range of motion if a scar has been limiting your movement.⁴

Keep in mind that while laser resurfacing can make a scar less noticeable, it can't actually remove the scar. Instead, you're replacing one scar with another scar — albeit one that is less noticeable.⁴

Types of Laser Treatments for Scars

While laser technology dates back to 1900, the clinical application of lasers didn't begin until the 1960s with procedures like laser hair removal.⁵ Doctors working in the field of dermatology began improving the appearance of scars with laser therapy in the 1980s, and the use of lasers has only grown since.⁶

Today, there are two primary types of lasers used to treat scars: ablative and non-ablative.⁷ Ablation refers to the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function.⁸ While ablative techniques are more invasive than non-ablative techniques, they tend to provide more dramatic results from a single treatment. Non-ablative laser treatments require less recovery time, but the best results often come with multiple treatments.⁹

1. Ablative laser treatment

Ablative lasers remove the outer layer of skin (epidermis) to eliminate skin cells that have been damaged at the surface level.³ They also heat the underlying skin (dermis) in order to stimulate collagen growth over time. As the epidermis heals, the treated area can appear smoother and tighter, resulting in better skin tone and texture.⁷ Your doctor may use a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for deeper scars, or an erbium laser for surface scars.³

2. Non-ablative laser treatment

During non-ablative treatment, the laser heats up the outer layer of skin but does not remove it.⁹ The heat promotes collagen production, causing the skin to tighten and look young and healthy.¹⁰ Treatment with a pulsed-dye laser (PDL) can help reduce itching and pain, diminish color and flatten a raised scar. For those with lighter skin, intense pulsed light (IPL) is another non-ablative treatment option.¹

Read our article comparing ablative and non-ablative skin resurfacing treatments for additional information about key differences between these two types of laser treatments.

Fractional lasers

Both ablative and non-ablative treatment can be delivered with a fractional laser.⁷ Fractional lasers beam tiny holes into deeper layers of your skin without injuring the majority of your skin's surface. Your skin then tightens by connecting the dots as the collagen contracts between the laser holes.¹¹ Fractional lasers are designed to shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of side effects.⁷

To provide the best results, dermatologists often use more than one laser treatment for scars.⁴ Because scars have various causes and forms, no single approach can consistently provide good scar treatment and management. Rather, the approach must be informed by the individual characteristics of each patient and each scar.¹²

Who Can Get Laser Scar Treatment?

Laser treatment can be used for different types of scars, as well as other dermatological issues.³

Laser skin resurfacing may work well for people with:

• Acne scars
• Burn scars
• Injury scars
• Surgery scars
• Keloids (thick, raised scars)
• Hyperpigmentation (e.g., age spots, sun spots, liver spots)
• Fine lines or wrinkles
• Warts
• Stretch marks
• Tattoos

Laser skin resurfacing may not work well for people with:

• Active acne
• Deep wrinkles
• Skin sores
• Light sensitivity
• Darker skin

Talk with your dermatologist to see if you're a good candidate for laser treatment.

How Does Laser Scar Removal Work?

Laser treatment

Laser scar removal is an outpatient procedure performed by a board-certified dermatologist.³ Below, we've outlined common steps your doctor may perform for scar removal:¹³

• Inject a local anesthetic, apply a numbing cream or administer a sedative.
• Place wet gauze around the area to absorb laser pulses that would otherwise affect healthy skin.
• Pass the laser over the scar tissue repeatedly, occasionally applying a cooling saline or water solution.
• After treatment is complete, apply ointment and a clean dressing to cover the area.

Procedure length

The length of procedures vary, and you can expect some mild discomfort during treatment.³ Ablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area treated.⁷ For non-ablative fractional treatment for acne scars, a topical anesthetic may be applied for about 45 to 60 minutes to numb the skin, while the actual treatment may take about 15 minutes, depending on the size of the area treated.¹⁴

Results timeline

To achieve long-lasting results and the most improvement, your dermatologist may schedule a series of laser treatments. Keep in mind that it can take months to see results, and you may notice little improvement at first.⁴ However, your skin may continue to improve for up to a year after treatment, and this improvement may last for several years.¹⁵

Side Effects of Laser Scar Removal

Side effects of laser scar removal may include:

• Mild pain
• Redness
• Itching
• Swelling
• Oozing
• Bleeding

These symptoms should improve within a few days.³ Healing takes three to 10 days, depending on the depth of the resurfacing and type of laser used.¹⁶

Other possible complications of laser scar removal may include:¹⁵

• Reactivation of cold sores. If you have a history of cold sores, ask your doctor for an antiviral medication before treatment to help prevent an outbreak.
• Milia. If these small white bumps appear during the healing process, gently remove them with a warm washcloth.
• Pigmentation issues. If you experience a darkening effect in the treated area, a bleaching cream may help. Applying sunscreen in the weeks before and after treatment may also help prevent pigmentary changes.

How Effective Is Laser Scar Removal?

Today's laser technology is light years ahead of the devices available just a decade or two ago. Dermatologists can achieve beautiful results with less downtime (the expected time to return to a normal lifestyle) and more efficacy, and with a higher level of safety than in the past.⁵

For instance, fewer incidences of hyperpigmentation have occurred as technologies have become safer to use on more skin types.⁵ And, as laser technologies evolve and doctors learn more about wound healing, we can expect even better management of a wide range of scars.¹²

Laser Scar Removal Cost

The cost of laser scar removal can vary from $100 to $5,000 or more.¹⁷ The cost depends on the size and number of scars, as well as the number of laser treatments required.³ The cost is also based on the expertise and qualifications of the dermatologist performing the procedure, the type of procedure used, the time and effort the treatment requires and the geographic location.¹⁸

The national average physician fee for ablative laser skin resurfacing is $2,509; for non-ablative laser skin resurfacing, it's $1,445. Keep in mind that this average cost is only part of the total price for laser scar removal — it doesn't include related expenses such as fees for the facility, anesthesia and prescription medications.¹⁸ Talk with your provider to determine the total cost of your procedure.

CareCredit Financing for Laser Scar Removal

Don't let unsightly scars mar your appearance — the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dermatology procedures and treatments like laser scar removal.* Apply for the CareCredit credit card and use the CareCredit Acceptance Locator or Mobile App to find a dermatologist in the CareCredit network.

Author Bio

Robyn Tellefsen is a freelance writer and editor with 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, finance, and more. Her work has appeared on sites such as LoopNet, Beachside Rehab, First Horizon Bank, SoFi, A Place for Mom, American Express, Chase and others.