Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksCost and ProvidersTypesPreparationWhat to ExpectRecoveryIs Complete Removal Possible?Risks and Side EffectsWho Should Avoid?Other Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Cost and Providers
Types
Preparation
What to Expect
Recovery
Is Complete Removal Possible?
Risks and Side Effects
Who Should Avoid?
Other Treatments
Laser treatment has emerged as a leading option for removing scars. Lasers direct heat at small areas of scar tissue, decreasing blood supply and destroying the irregular tissue.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
How the Treatment Works
For example, a laser with wavelengths of 585 to 595 nanometers (nm) is effective for shrinking visible blood vessels. Dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons use lasers with longer wavelengths (up to 10,600 nm) to treat thickened skin.
Laser treatment for scars typically requires multiple treatments to destroy the abnormal tissue and fade the scar.
Cost and Finding a Provider
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of laser treatment for scarring is about $1,830.However, how much you pay out-of-pocket for laser therapy varies widely.
Factors like the scar severity, the healthcare provider and their practice, the use of anesthesia, and the number of treatments needed can all influence cost.
Procedure Types
There are severaltypes of laser proceduresfor treating scars, each with specific applications, advantages, and disadvantages. Your dermatologist and facial plastic surgeon will help you determine the best approach.
Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Ablative lasers work on the epidermal (outer) and dermal (middle) layers of skin. This approach (known aslaser resurfacing) relies on longer wavelengths of light to heat up, destroy scar tissue, and promote new collagen growth. It is typically reserved for deeper scar tissue.
Pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) laserswere the first used for scars; though effective, they have a greater risk of adverse side effects, such as oozing and crusting.
An ablative option that doesn’t penetrate as deeply and may cause fewer side effects is the erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) laser.
Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing
Non-ablative lasers act primarily on the dermal layer of skin to stimulate collagen growth.This technique relies on laser wavelengths between 1,440 and 1,550 nm and is the preferred option for shallow scars compared to ablative techniques. It is more appropriate for shallower scars than ablative resurfacing.
Including pulsed-dye lasers (PDL), intense pulsed light (IPL), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers, diode lasers, and others, non-ablative laser resurfacing tends to cause fewer adverse side effects than ablative approaches.
How to Prepare
Laser treatments for scars are well-tolerated. If your dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon has determined you’re a good candidate for treatment, they’ll give you instructions on preparing, such as:
Laser treatment results are not immediate. With non-ablative lasers, therapy may take multiple treatments—anywhere from several a week to a few months—and it may be combined with other cosmetic approaches.
Laser treatments can cause pain. With ablative approaches, the dermatologist may first inject an anesthetic to ease discomfort. Before applying the laser, they’ll also carefully clean and disinfect the targeted area.They may apply ice or other methods to cool the skin between laser pulses.
Recovery times from these treatments vary depending on the severity of your scar and the type of laser used. It can take several weeks to a month or more to see complete results, and there may be some temporary side effects and post-treatment issues.
Here’s what you can expect after laser treatment for scars:
Post-Laser Therapy Skin Care
Do the Scars Disappear Completely?
Laser treatments for scars can manage associated symptoms—especially pain and sensitivity—but they cannot entirely remove the scar. Instead, these therapies replace more severe scars with less visible ones. They can also help alter skin pigment to make discoloration less noticeable.
How successful laser therapy is for scars depends on several factors, including the severity of the case and the timing of treatment.
Studies have noted that earlier interventions—within days, weeks, or months of injury or surgery—improve overall results.Though there are variations based on the laser type, researchers have developed treatments to reduce the appearance, skin thickness, and discoloration of scars with multiple laser treatments.
Laser treatments for scars are minimally invasive and relatively safe. However, you can expect some side effects, and the treatments carry some risks. These include:
Who Should Avoid Laser Treatment?
Before your appointment, your healthcare provider will evaluate your scar and ensure you are a good candidate for laser treatment. While this treatment is appropriate for most people, it may not be for everyone. Speak to a healthcare provider about the best options to manage and treat your concerns.
Laser Treatments and Darker SkinDarkly pigmented skin contains more melanin (the substance that gives skin color). When treated with lasers, darker pigment absorbs more light from lasers, which can increase the chances of complications like scarring and permanent skin discoloration.
Laser Treatments and Darker Skin
Darkly pigmented skin contains more melanin (the substance that gives skin color). When treated with lasers, darker pigment absorbs more light from lasers, which can increase the chances of complications like scarring and permanent skin discoloration.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Scars
While laser treatment for scarring has grown in popularity, it isn’t the only option. Other therapies tomanage scarringinclude:
Summary
A standard, often first-line approach to removing scars is laser resurfacing. With this treatment, laser light is directed to the affected tissue to stimulate collagen growth, reducing the size of scars and easing symptoms. This minimally invasive treatment is well-tolerated, though it can cause side effects like stinging and changes in skin color. This treatment may not work well for everyone; a healthcare provider can help determine if you are a good candidate for laser treatment.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Klifto KM, Asif M, Hultman CS.Laser management of hypertrophic burn scars: a comprehensive review.Burns & Trauma. 2020;8:tkz002. doi:10.1093/burnst/tkz002American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?Ohshiro T, Ohshiro T, Sasaki K.Laser scar management technique.Laser Ther. 2013;22(4):255-260. doi:10.5978/islsm.13-OR-20Fu X, Dong J, Wang S, Yan M, Yao M.Advances in the treatment of traumatic scars with laser, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency, and ultrasound.Burns & Trauma. 2019;7:s41038-018-0141-0. doi:10.1186/s41038-018-0141-0American Academy of Dermatology.10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar.American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for scars.Chowdhury B, Kassir M, Salas‐Alanis J, et al.Laser in surgical scar clearance: an update review.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(12):3808-3811. doi:10.1111/jocd.14325Marshall CD, Hu MS, Leavitt T, Barnes LA, Lorenz HP, Longaker MT.Cutaneous scarring: basic science, current treatments, and future directions.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2018;7(2):29-45. doi:10.1089/wound.2016.0696American Academy of Dermatology.Scars: diagnosis and treatment.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Klifto KM, Asif M, Hultman CS.Laser management of hypertrophic burn scars: a comprehensive review.Burns & Trauma. 2020;8:tkz002. doi:10.1093/burnst/tkz002American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?Ohshiro T, Ohshiro T, Sasaki K.Laser scar management technique.Laser Ther. 2013;22(4):255-260. doi:10.5978/islsm.13-OR-20Fu X, Dong J, Wang S, Yan M, Yao M.Advances in the treatment of traumatic scars with laser, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency, and ultrasound.Burns & Trauma. 2019;7:s41038-018-0141-0. doi:10.1186/s41038-018-0141-0American Academy of Dermatology.10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar.American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for scars.Chowdhury B, Kassir M, Salas‐Alanis J, et al.Laser in surgical scar clearance: an update review.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(12):3808-3811. doi:10.1111/jocd.14325Marshall CD, Hu MS, Leavitt T, Barnes LA, Lorenz HP, Longaker MT.Cutaneous scarring: basic science, current treatments, and future directions.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2018;7(2):29-45. doi:10.1089/wound.2016.0696American Academy of Dermatology.Scars: diagnosis and treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Klifto KM, Asif M, Hultman CS.Laser management of hypertrophic burn scars: a comprehensive review.Burns & Trauma. 2020;8:tkz002. doi:10.1093/burnst/tkz002American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?Ohshiro T, Ohshiro T, Sasaki K.Laser scar management technique.Laser Ther. 2013;22(4):255-260. doi:10.5978/islsm.13-OR-20Fu X, Dong J, Wang S, Yan M, Yao M.Advances in the treatment of traumatic scars with laser, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency, and ultrasound.Burns & Trauma. 2019;7:s41038-018-0141-0. doi:10.1186/s41038-018-0141-0American Academy of Dermatology.10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar.American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for scars.Chowdhury B, Kassir M, Salas‐Alanis J, et al.Laser in surgical scar clearance: an update review.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(12):3808-3811. doi:10.1111/jocd.14325Marshall CD, Hu MS, Leavitt T, Barnes LA, Lorenz HP, Longaker MT.Cutaneous scarring: basic science, current treatments, and future directions.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2018;7(2):29-45. doi:10.1089/wound.2016.0696American Academy of Dermatology.Scars: diagnosis and treatment.
Klifto KM, Asif M, Hultman CS.Laser management of hypertrophic burn scars: a comprehensive review.Burns & Trauma. 2020;8:tkz002. doi:10.1093/burnst/tkz002
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.How much does laser skin resurfacing cost?
Ohshiro T, Ohshiro T, Sasaki K.Laser scar management technique.Laser Ther. 2013;22(4):255-260. doi:10.5978/islsm.13-OR-20
Fu X, Dong J, Wang S, Yan M, Yao M.Advances in the treatment of traumatic scars with laser, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency, and ultrasound.Burns & Trauma. 2019;7:s41038-018-0141-0. doi:10.1186/s41038-018-0141-0
American Academy of Dermatology.10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar.
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for scars.
Chowdhury B, Kassir M, Salas‐Alanis J, et al.Laser in surgical scar clearance: an update review.J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(12):3808-3811. doi:10.1111/jocd.14325
Marshall CD, Hu MS, Leavitt T, Barnes LA, Lorenz HP, Longaker MT.Cutaneous scarring: basic science, current treatments, and future directions.Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2018;7(2):29-45. doi:10.1089/wound.2016.0696
American Academy of Dermatology.Scars: diagnosis and treatment.
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