What Are the Best Cosmetic Treatments for Scars?

Scars that develop due to various causes—such as burns, accidental cuts, skin conditions, diseases, and surgery—can have a major psychological impact on individuals, especially when the trauma occurred during the early stages of childhood development. Even small scars can permanently change the appearance of the skin in a significant way. It may not be possible to completely get rid of scars, but through cosmetic treatments, it is possible to make them less noticeable. The Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills team explains that soft tissue fillers like JUVEDERM® are one way for Los Angeles-area patients to minimize scars.

The best method depends on the cause of a person’s scars, their location, and how long the person has had them.

How Scars Form

Before starting to research treatments, it helps to understand how scars are created, as well as the main types of scars. Almost any kind of significant injury can produce a scar. Sections of tissue that look and feel different from the surrounding skin form as part of the natural, biological wound repair process when the body makes collagen fibers to fix damage to the dermis. The resulting mark remains even after the healing process is over.

More noticeable, raised scars occur when there is an excess of new collagen, while sunken scars are a result of fat and muscle loss or insufficient collagen production. Wounds that take a longer time to heal typically cause more prominent scars, and infections can make scars more prominent and visible. Many scars will fade within a few months, but some scars can persist for a much longer time.

Hypertrophic scars are wide with an elevated, rough texture, are red in color, and usually follow the line of injury. Keloids are typically large, spread beyond the boundary of the injury, and constrict movement while possibly causing itching and pain. Keloids are more common on darker skin tones. Rolling, wave-like, or angular scars and discolorations can also appear, frequently as a result of severe acne when flare-ups harm underlying tissue.

How Do Dermal Fillers Address Scars?

Hyaluronic acid-based fillers like JUVEDERM® act like a substitute for collagen and other substances that your skin needs to stay thick and buoyant. These injectables fill in the thinning areas beneath the skin when some of these elements are depleted. There, the gel provides a smooth, uniform texture that blends well with the surrounding skin.

Because of how they work, fillers are mainly helpful for scars that cause deep depressions—especially certain types of pitted acne scars, such as rolling scars and boxcar scars. Injections of the more viscous JUVÉDERM® ULTRA gel are effective for temporarily making these sunken scars more even and level with the surface. Restylane® is another similar hyaluronic acid-based option, while calcium-based RADIESSE® will encourage gradual collagen regeneration to rebuild the structure of the skin.

Does Laser Skin Resurfacing Work on Scars?

Lasers use intense heat energy to create a more even surface by flattening raised areas and improving tone. Focused light triggers the skin’s natural healing process to enhance its structure, is good for both hypertrophic and keloid scars, and is designed more for repairing recent scars as opposed to older ones—so the earlier you choose this laser treatment, the better.

Many lasers aren’t usually meant for active breakouts and aren’t as effective on darker skin tones. They do tend to work well on acne scars. FRAXEL® DUAL LASER, UltraPulse™ Fractional CO2, and a treatment known as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) are some of the best options for scars. UltraPulse™ Fractional CO2 is a powerful ablative laser that targets thick, complex scars by removing the damaged, outer layer of skin.

Microneedling

Depressed acne scars and stretch marks—streaks or lines on the skin when it is stretched significantly and rapidly—can be treated with a series of microneedling sessions. The microneedling device causes numerous tiny, controlled injuries to stimulate collagen production. As the skin repairs the miniscule wounds, fresh collagen also improves the look and texture of the surrounding tissue, including scars.

Find out more about cosmetic procedures to reduce the appearance of scars from Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills. To schedule a consultation with the Los Angeles-area practice, call 310.246.0495 or write to them directly.