Scar revision, as the name suggests, means that a patient has an existing scar and is coming to Dr. Rapaport’s office so that it will appear less noticeable. Completing the procedure often involves excising the existing scar and doing whatever is necessary to make the skin come together with less tension.  The wound is then closed using the best plastic surgery techniques.

One of the most important aspects of the procedure, Dr. Rapaport explains, is being honest with the patient beforehand as to whether it is possible to improve the scar. Scar revision does not always make every scar look better, he says, so your surgeon really needs to examine the scar to pinpoint why it looks the way it does. In order to secure the best results, you need a doctor who is truly honest in assessing whether you should proceed with the revision.

Dr. Rapaport says that the ability to improve a scar does not only have to do with the placement of the scar, but also how the scar came about in the first place. For instance, if you got a cut that was not closed properly and it formed a wider scar, it will likely do well with a revision. On the other hand, if you have a scar that was the result of a well-performed surgery that had no real complications, then scar revision surgery may not help.

Mainly, Dr. Rapaport says, the surgeon who is administering the revision needs to assess whether the scar has formed because of the tissues or the technique that was originally used. For instance, if you have a facelift with too much tension, it will be very difficult to revise the scar six months later because there is still that same tension. In 10 years, however, the skin will have loosened, and you may, at that point, do very well with the revision. Many times, Dr. Rapaport reiterates, whether or not a revision is possible has a lot to do with circumstance. In his office, Dr. Rapaport explains that he has revised scars on the scalp, face and body. At the same time, however, he has also told many patients that surgery will not reduce the look of their scars and has therefore avoided putting them through the procedure.

Dealing with Brown Scars

Brown scars are among the most difficult to treat, Dr. Talakoub says. There are a couple of treatment options, however, that can be quite effective at reducing their appearance. Brown scars are caused by an excess of pigment. In some cases, chemical peels can be used to slough off the uppermost layer of skin, taking some of the excess pigment with it.

Bleaching cream is another option for dealing with brown acne scars. These creams work by lightening the area of the skin to which they’re applied. There are several bleaching creams on the market, explains Dr. Talakoub. It’s extremely important to select the right one and use it for the right amount of time.

Sunscreen is an important tool in managing brown acne scars. Any type of sun exposure, even in the winter, can make brown scars worse and more difficult to remove. Daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen on scarred areas will help to avoid these effects.

Dealing with Pink Scars

Pink scars are caused by enlarged blood vessels. This type of scar generally improves in appearance over time. If they don’t disappear, however, they can be treated with a special type of laser. There are some lasers that can target blood (specifically the hemoglobin in the blood), and can help to reduce or eliminate pink acne scars.

Dealing with Depressed Scars

Depressed, sometimes called “boxcar” scars or “icepick” scars, are caused by scar tissue that forms underneath the area where acne once was. This scar tissue pulls down on the skin’s collagen, creating an indentation in the skin’s surface. When light hits the skin, this indentation creates a shadow, making the scar more noticeable.

Depressed scars require laser treatment. Lasers can be used to soften out the edges of the scar and loosen up some of the scar tissue below, making the indentation less noticeable and smoothing the surface of the skin. “Ideally,” Dr. Talakoub explains, “the collagen rebuilds under the scar and the skin repairs itself.”

Treated depressed acne scars requires fairly advanced lasers such as fractionated or ablative lasers. Patients at McLean Dermatology and Skin Care Center, Dr. Talakoub says, have access to state-of-the-art treatment options for both existing acne problems and post-acne scarring. The expert medical staff treats patients of all ages, and is devoted to delivering effective treatment in a comfortable, relaxing, and compassionate atmosphere.

As the staff nurse and co-owner of Young Medical Spa, a facility serving Bethlehem, Allentown, and Pennsylvania’s entire Lehigh Valley, Paula Young understands how troublesome the presence of an unwanted scar can be. For this reason, she is happy to offer several treatment options using two versions of the Palomar Lux fractional laser. This specialty laser works to eliminate skin discoloration and scarring by softening damaged skin tissue and helping it blend into the healthier surrounding tissue.

Palomar Lux1540 Fractional Laser

For those looking to reduce scarring without a ton of downtime, Young offers the Palomar Lux1540 Fractional Laser. This specialized laser works by targeting only the portions of the skin in need of attention. By delivering light in microbeams that penetrate the outer layer of the skin, the Palomar Lux1540 Fractional Laser is able to treat the affected areas of the skin while sparing the surrounding tissue from damage. It also works to jump start a natural healing process that stimulates collagen growth and reduces the appearance of unwanted scars, lines, and wrinkles. The great thing about this treatment is that it is quick, safe, and relatively painless. Those who undergo treatment using the Palomar Lux1540 Fractional Laser will have to take it easy for one to three days following the procedure. However, compared to other scar reduction options on the market, this type of recovery period is actually quite minimal.

Palomar Lux2940 Fractional Laser

If instead you are willing to deal with a bit more downtime when working to eliminate scars, Young offers the Palomar Lux2940 Fractional Laser. This laser is basically a stronger version of the Palomar Lux1540, as it penetrates deeper into the skin to reduce the signs of scarring. This type of treatment will usually result in three to seven days of subsequent downtime, but those who are able to deal with this aspect of the procedure are likely to find that the sacrifice is well worth it.

Alternative Treatment Options

If the idea of undergoing treatment using one of the Palomar Lux lasers sounds good to you, then you should know that it may take multiple sessions in order to produce the results you desire. Of course, if you’d rather not go this route, then there are other medical spa treatment options available to treat scarring. Some forms of microdermabrasion can target scars by removing the skin’s outer layer to balance out the unevenness in your skin. There are also additional laser treatment options available to combat scarring and reduce redness. The best way to know which procedure is right for you is to consult with a medical spa professional who can walk you through your options.

If an unattractive scar has been getting you down for far too long, then it’s time to stop hiding behind it and instead do something about it. Make an appointment at a medical spa that specializes in scar reduction, and prepare to start feeling better about the way you look.

It is fairly easy to get rid of the majority of hyperpigmented scars, or ones that are brown or red. The way those are taken care of here at Balle Bliss medical spa is through the use of IPL, the Intense Pulsed Light laser.

What IPL does is penetrate into the dermis and attack the melanin, or the red pigment, and bring it to the surface. When that happens it causes the scar to actually flake off, which is accomplished within 24 to 48 hours.

Multiple Treatments

However, sometimes getting rid of a scar can require multiple treatments, up to three to four depending on deep the scar is, or how dark it is. The red scars can sometimes be veins or small capillaries. So we use the same laser but it works differently. Basically the laser makes the vein explode, which is how it disappears. There is no breaking of the vein or resultant scarring and you can see immediate results.

People are usually quite happy with the results of treatment. But we do have to remind them that it can take more than just one treatment to get rid of hyperpigmented scars, which is why you need multiple sessions for the laser to work to its maximum effectiveness.

Almost Painless

The process of using IPL doesn’t really hurt; it feels like the snap of a rubber band. After the procedure is finished, it might feel like you have a sensation of mild stinging or sunburn, which can last up to 24 hours but it’s not too bad.

IPL is a treatment that works well and has effective results. It can also be used for mild to moderate acne, and some med spas use it to treat stretch marks, or at least make them less visible.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

Tags: cosmetic laser, hyperpigmentation, hyperpigmented, laser, med spa, medical spa, scar

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While it may sound cliched, learning to live with yourself is perhaps the easiest, as well as safest and cheapest, way to deal with physical imperfections of any kind.

Acne usually begins with the onset of puberty, when we produce more sebum, the oily secretion made by our sebaceous glands, than our bodies can cope with gracefully. Prescription acne medications can often nip those pimples in the bud, but for some of us there is no escaping them – as well as the subsequent scarring.

Luckily, there are myriad treatments available on the market today that can either completely remove scars, or reduce their appearance significantly. Many dermatological procedures to reduce the appearance of acne scars can be carried out either by your dermatologist or at a med spa. Just make sure the person scraping, lasering or digging holes in your face is someone you trust!

Dermatological Acne Scar Removal Procedures

• Laser Therapy. Works by making keloid scars, where this an overgrowth of tissue, and hypertrophic scars, which look similar to keloids but are smaller, less visible. Also works well on atrophic scarring, or tiny pockets in the skin which can be a direct result of acne. The magic of the lasers is that they remove a scar’s outer skin layer, revealing a bottom layer that eventually heals and by doing so minimizes the visibility of the scar itself. The type of laser used will depend on the type of scarring you have. You may suffer redness for several months, but the upside is that in some cases, one treatment is all you need for permanent results.
• * Steroid Injections. Sometimes these are used in conjunction with lasers, jabbed directly into keloid scars, to make them flat and less visible. It is difficult, however, to raise depressions, or pockets, except by regenerating the skin. Steroid injections are usually the only way to treat keloid scarring that occurs from acne scars, as surgical removal of them is seldom instrumented.
• Dermabrasion. Thought to be the best method for acne scar removal, and is a more severe form of Microderm (see below). Instead of abrasive particles being used, your practitioner will use a brush (or fraise) to remove the skin. Superficial scars may disappear completely, deeper ones will be make less noticeable. Does not work for all types of scars, and people with darker skin might require additional treatment to sort out resultant pigmentation problems.
• Microdermabrasion. A technique in which the top, superficial layer of the skin is removed, both to stimulate the production of collagen (and encourage healing) and reveal softer, smoother skin underneath. Often called a “lunchtime peel” because Microderm can be carried out so quickly – in your lunch hour – the procedure works well in areas where acne scarring is not very deep. It can also be done in conjunction with chemical peels, as it will make the chemicals seep in easier.
• Collagen Injections. Injections of bovine-sourced or human collagen plump out the scars, making them instantly less noticeable. Advantage: works well. Disadvantage: may only last for three months; bovine collagen is not good for people with comprised immune systems; does not work on all types of scarring, such as ice pick scars, which leave a tiny hole which looks as if it has been made by an ice pick or other similar instrument.
• Chemical Peels. A variety of chemical peels are on offer that both plump up the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scars, and also smooth and exfoliate to make skin look better – and reduce future occurrence of acne breakouts. Depending on the nature of your skin you can opt for a light, medium-strength or stronger peel. Just make sure you choose one that doesn’t exacerbate your skin even further!
• Surgery. Some types of scars, such as ice pick scars, can be removed by “punching” them down during surgery, then suturing the skin back together. Or try Z-Plasty, aka zigzagplasty, where a scar is repositioned to blend in better with your face – along the natural creases of the cheek, or elsewhere.
• Medical Tattooing. As scar tissue that is light-colored has no pigment, tattoos can infuse color to make them blend in better with the rest of your skin. Can also help scars to “relax” and re-pigment naturally. Finally, if you have only one tattoo in a not very noticeable area, ask your doctor if you can tattoo it with a pattern or design…
• Fat Transfer. Fat is taken from other parts of your body and injected into a scar to plump it out. Remember, the fat will eventually be absorbed into the body, so you will need to repeat this time and time again to keep up the look.
• Lotions and potions. Some people find that certain types of acne scarring reduction creams work wonders; others find they have no effect whatsoever. A lot will depend on the type of scar you have, as well as the severity of your scarring. It’s all a matter of trial-and-error…

Even the best surgeons cannot completely remodel a face so that it looks completely different – not unless you were willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars having countless operations. While surgery can help get rid of the worst acne scars, you will probably still have some pitting left if your face – or your neck or back – was deeply affected by acne as a teenager.

While it may sound cliched, learning to live with yourself is perhaps the easiest, as well as safest and cheapest, way to deal with physical imperfections of any kind. If that doesn’t work for you, remember that one of the Harley Davidson mantras is “chicks love scars”. Hopefully, you can also learn to love them – or at least love yourself with them!

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.