They may not look pretty, but scars are a natural part of the healing process, allowing our bodies to recover from lacerations and other types of skin damage. Skin cells work in a constant state of repair and regeneration, shedding and replacing old burns, cuts, and more.
Scars also result from skin problems, and if you don’t like how they affect your appearance, you have treatment options. Laser skin treatments can reduce their impact, with several options available, including intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.
Dr. Javier Zelaya and the medical team at Skinworks Dermatology in New York City are experts at treating various skin problems, including scars.
Skin is a protective barrier, and punctures, cuts, scrapes, or burns lead to scars forming when it heals. That’s true for minor or major injuries. Even some diseases can damage your skin over time. Types of scars include:
How you’re injured determines the type of scar you develop.
If you want to reduce or eliminate the appearance of a finished scar, techniques include:
A special device sands the skin, smoothing it and reducing the appearance of scars.
Delivering corticosteroids directly into keloid scars through injections makes them smaller and flatter. Cancer drugs (bleomycin or fluorouracil) can flatten scars and reduce symptoms like itching and pain.
It may seem counterintuitive since surgery can create scars, but surgical treatments such as skin grafts can help reduce their appearance.
Corticosteroid or silicone ointments and creams, when applied directly to a scar, can reduce its size. When used on an injury, they can also help prevent scarring.
Placing pressure on a wound through bandages, medical dressings, or compression stockings helps reduce the appearance of scars as the wound heals.
Laser therapy is a standard treatment for many skin problems, but we use IPL therapy to treat scars and other issues because it works underneath the skin’s surface.
Many laser therapies use a single wavelength to achieve their effects, which is undoubtedly effective. However, IPL therapy employs a range of light wavelengths, similar to a photoflash, to penetrate the skin (targeting the dermis beneath the epidermis) and reduce skin damage.
That allows the pigments in your skin cells to absorb light and convert it to heat, eliminating unwanted spots and freckles and reducing the appearance of scars, among other effects.
Laser therapy can benefit the skin in many ways, and our IPL therapy can help smooth out scars and improve the overall appearance of your skin. To learn more, call the office in Maspeth, Chelsea, or Park Slope, or request your appointment online today.
