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Luckily, there are several options for scar removal. This is great news, especially for people that are a bit uncomfortable undergoing surgical procedures. Here's a quick look at the different types of resurfacing techniques that can help you get rid of scars.

Laser Therapy for Scar Removal

Even though laser therapy will not completely eliminate scars, it is a very popular procedure for achieving scar reduction. In fact, you can choose from a wide variety of lasers that are used to treat different skin problems.

Keloid Scars & Hypertrophic Scars

These types of scars are often treated using pulse dye lasers (PDL). If the scar you are trying to treat is located in a sensitive area, such as lips, fingers, etc, the doctor may suggest using intralesional anesthesia.

Generally, side effects include redness and rashes. These problems will usually clear up in a short period of time. If after a couple of months the problem hasn't cleared up, call your doctor.

If you want to treat your hypertrophic scars effectively, then you may need to undergo 2 or 4 sessions. However, if you want to treat keloid scars effectively you may need to undergo even more sessions.

Stretch Marks

Lower energy PDLs can also be used to treat stretch marks. This treatment should not produce as many side effects as a higher energy PDL. One or two treatments should be enough to achieve desired results..

Atrophic Scars

The best type of laser for atrophic scars are ablative lasers. A common way of treating raised scars is with carbon dioxide lasers and Er:YAG lasers. Because this type of scar treatment is more precise than other resurfacing techniques, it will offer better results and produce less collateral damage.

Other Resurfacing Techniques

Chemical Peels

Chemicals peels have been used for ages to help remove skin imperfections such as blemishes and scars. This type of treatment consists in the use of different chemicals to remove different layers of the skin. For example, a light chemical peel will help remove the epidermis while a deeper chemical peel that uses more intense chemicals will help remove the epidermis as well as part of the dermis.

This type of treatment requires at least two weeks of recovery time. The skin will crust over. When the scabs fall off, the skin underneath will be smoother and younger looking.

Dermabrasion

This procedure requires the use of an abrasive tool or particles to "sand off" the skin. As with chemical peels, dermabrasion requires anesthesia and medical supervision to achieve significant scar removal.

Scar Creams

Scar creams not only help eliminate damaged tissue, it can also promote good scar healing. In order to help promote proper healing, the scar removal cream should be applied as soon as the wound has closed. To remove scar tissue, you will need to be consistent about its application.