Can Fraxel Laser Remove Surgical Scars?

Yes, the Fraxel laser can be used to treat scars. The Fraxel laser does not remove scars, because scars are permanent.

Scars are visible because of color and/or surface texture changes compared to the surrounding skin. Scar treatments or revisions are very individualized procedures that depend upon the appearance, characteristics, and size of the scar. Unfortunately, there are no medical or surgical treatments to remove scars completely.

Abdominoplasty scars that are less desirable may show one or more of the following characteristics: widened and raised, widened and thinned, pink color, visible capillaries, or pigmented.

Corticosteroid injections can be utilized to treat raised (hypertrophic) scars. Multiple injection sessions are usually required. This will help flatten and soften the scar but will not change the scar width.

If the scar is pink in color, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) or a pulsed dye laser may help to lighten that coloration. But these treatments do nothing for the surface texture.

In patients with darker skin colorations, scars may show hyperpigmentation. This pigmentation has resulted from the inflammation associated with the surgery and healing process. Scars that are darkened (hyperpigmented) are often difficult to treat. Many times the only way to effectively remove the pigment from a scar is to excise the entire scar. But there will be a risk that the pigmentation may occur again in the new scar. Pre- and post-treatment with skin care products (bleachers, retinol, etc.) may help to reduce recurrent hyperpigmentation.

Lasers are used more commonly to address textural issues and provide smoothing and blending. Lasers work best when textural issues are less severe.  Some lasers may not be used on all skin types; and laser resurfacing may be more risky, or not possible, in individuals who have dark skin. The Fraxel laser is one of the better options for treating scars and works well for acne scars and post-surgical scars. The Fraxel can be utilized for all skin types with proper adjustments. Lasers treatments should probably be delayed until after 90 days post-op. Fraxel treatments could then be performed monthly as needed.

And there are times when it may just be better to re-excise the entire scar. Abdominoplasty scars are subjected to significant tension following surgery. This tension may account for some of the undesirable healing. Once a scar has fully matured, scar excision/revision may produce a more acceptable result because the tissues have relaxed

Combining the above treatments may improve results.

Your surgeon should be able to guide you with helpful suggestions and recommendations.

Best wishes, Ken Dembny

Unfortunately, scars cannot be totally removed because their structure is so different from healthy skin, but they can be improved and faded considerably with multiple treatments of Fraxel laser. Fraxel Dual will use high radiofrequency energy to break up the irregular collagen bands that form scar tissue. The micro-wounds the laser creates also stimulate the production of new, fresh collagen that will improve the quality of your skin. Please be sure to consult a board-certified dermatologist who is expert with using Fraxel lasers.

Fraxel laser can certainly help improve the appearance of scars. Fraxel Dual, for example, has helped many patients with acne scarring. Scar tissue is basically made of the same collagen fibers that are present throughout your skin. However, these fibers have a very disorganized configuration which is why scar tissue is thicker than the  rest of your skin.


Fraxel Dual applies specific levels of laser energy which converts to heat energy beneath the skin at the dermal layer. This heat causes the skin to react as if it were injured. And it will produce new collagen fibers to heal itself from this deliberate wounding process. 

 

The new collagen fibers can override the old fibers to some extent, but not completely eliminate them. Overall results depend on how big and thick the scar tissue is.


 

Fraxel lasers can be used to break up the disordered collagen that makes up scar tissue, smoothing out the skin so that it better resembles healthy skin. It will probably take at least two or three sessions to get optimal results. The scars will not disappear altogether but should be greatly improved. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist about how to use Fraxel to improve your scars.

After a series of 2 to 4 Fraxel treatments, the cumulative cosmetic improvement is near more aggressive lasers, but unlike more aggressive lasers, redness and swelling eliminated within 2 to 4 days after each treatment. Fraxel is outstanding for fine wrinkles, mild skin laxity, irregular pigmentation, acne scars, surgical scars, enlarged pores, stretch marks, age spots and Rosacea. It can be used safely on the face, neck, hands, arms, and chest.

I like to be careful with words like "remove" especially with scars.  Fraxel may help soften this scar but I wouldn't expect a great deal of improvement.  If the scar is raised I would reccomend injecting with kenalog.  If it is red, I would treat with pulsed dye laser.

 

Best,

 

Dr. Malouf