The Laser That Tackles Scars

Nonablative lasers, like Fraxel, which is approved by the FDA to treat both surgical and acne scars, can stimulate the production of collagen from within to improve texture and tone on the surface. “In the past, the go-to in-office treatment for treating scars was cortisone injections and silicone-based sheeting, but today the trend is to use laser devices,” says San Francisco dermatologist Vic Narurkar, MD. “They are more predictable, offer better results in many (but not all) patients, and are especially effective at treating raised, red scars. Plus, they can safely be used on facial scars.” While the number of treatments depends on the scar, Dr. Vic Narurkar usually recommends three to five and notes that you will most likely experience some redness for a few days afterward. Most doctors agree that it’s important to apply something at home in conjunction with any in-office scar treatment for optimal results, and to use sunblock as well.