Burn Scar Treatment

Laser treatment is most appropriate for thick, raised scars.

These scars also known as hypertrophic scars result from abnormal or excessive healing.

They are often red or inflamed and frequently cause significant functional impairment.

For example, the scar may make it difficult for you to bend a joint. They may also cause emotional distress when they are located on the face, neck or other visible area.

While laser treatment will not completely remove burn scars, it can improve functional abilities you may have lost due to scarring.

You might also experience a softening of your burn scars and less itching.

The appearance of scars may improve after laser treatments, but you should not expect a dramatic improvement in how scars look with laser treatment alone.

CO2 LASER

Laser treatment may also be offered as part of a more comprehensive burn scar reconstructive treatment program tailored for you. Our surgeon will assess whether other treatments, such as surgery, tissue expansion or medication, would help you reach your goals.

During laser treatments, we use a special device, called a fractional ablative carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, to create microscopic holes in the tissue of a burn scar. This energy is thought to stimulate changes in the scar tissue.

Next, a steroid solution is applied or injected into the scar, which is absorbed into the holes. This medication also contributes to scar improvements.

Scars will decrease in height, and skin will become more flexible and less red. But we caution patients to set realistic expectations. Your scar will only soften, not disappear.