Laser Resurfacing To Reduce Facial Scarring
If you were in a motor vehicle accident last year and after the healing process, you were left with a visible scar, you may be self-conscious about your appearance. People may ask you often what has happened and this may result in you trying to cover up the scar with makeup. Instead of trying to conceal the scar, seek guidance through a dermatologist who uses laser resurfacing to treat facial skin.
The Scar Will Be Examined
When skin is lacerated, it needs sufficient time to heal. Scar tissue forms on and around an affected area and this can result in discoloration, or a bumpy section of skin. During your initial dermatology session, your facial skin will be examined to determine the location of the scar and the depth and width of the disfigurement.
There isn't a treatment method that will completely get rid of a scar, but a laser removal process can drastically reduce the appearance of a scar. At the end of your treatment regimen, you may only need to use a little bit of a concealer to hide the scar in entirety.
A Laser Removal Process Will Be Conducted
A laser emits a beam that is moved across the skin. During the resurfacing process, the top layer of skin is eliminated and layers underneath are penetrated, resulting in a smoother, tighter appearance. There are different degrees of laser resurfacing. Your dermatologist will recommend a laser process that will work well for the type of scar that is on your face. For larger scars, a more invasive procedure is used and this can be somewhat painful.
During a resurfacing session, you will be required to wear goggles to protect your eyes from the laser's beam and you may be given a general anesthesia to numb the area that is being treated. For less invasive resurfacing sessions, numbing may not be needed and you will only experience mild discomfort during the treatment process.
Recuperation Between Sessions Is Necessary
After the numbing agent wears off, you may experience a dull pain. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to alleviate the facial discomfort. Your facial skin may have a splotchy red appearance and swelling on or around the scar may be noticeable. Give your facial skin time to recuperate.
Your dermatologist will make a follow-up appointment to determine how successful the resurfacing session was and to let you know what their next course of action is. If the scar responded well to the treatment, your dermatologist will likely recommend that you continue with the resurfacing process and receive several more treatments to reduce the scar even more.