Scar made worse immediately after VBeam, is this a normal side-effect for scars and will it improve?

It is not unusual to have some swelling and increased redness after a Vbeam treatment.  You could use ice on and off for the swelling but both issues will improve over more time.  It can take a month or two to see the full results after the treatment.

Vbeam laser is the gold standard for deeply red or pinkish hyperemia on the skin from skin trauma or surgery. We use this laser quite often to improve redness in combination with Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily. Options for red scars include scar modulation, intralesional injections to reduce inflammation, vbeam laser, and IPL treatment. Many sessions are required which is why you should schedule with a trained clinician familiar with scar treatment and Vbeam pulsed dye laser.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian

Pulsed dye laser/Vbeam causes the scars to swell and become red after and for hours to days later.  Honestly, most hypertrophic scars are treated at purpuric settings otherwise they do not flatten -- and this leaves scars dark purple and inflamed for a week or so.  If you are concerned, please speak to your treating physician.  Best, Dr. Emer.