Laser scar treatment is available at our clinic in Richmond Hill.
- Little to no downtime
- Simple procedure with minimal discomfort
- Quick, non-invasive treatment sessions
- Excellent aesthetic results
Disfiguring scars can develop following infections, injuries or surgeries and can cause a person emotional and or physical pain as well as affect their quality of life. In severe cases scars can cause chronic pain and limit mobility.
What are scars?
Scars are areas of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after injury or disease. Scars are created in the biologic process of wound healing. Scar tissue is composed of the same protein (collagen) as the issue it replaces, but the internal organization of the scar differs from that of the surrounding tissue.
There are different types of scars:
- Hypertrophic scars are usually raised, pink in colour and thick. They may regress and become flat over time.
- Keloid scars are thick and hard to touch. They may spread and get worse over time.
- Atrophic scars are small pit-like depressions commonly seen after acne.
- Contracture scars are usually caused by burns or deep soft tissue injuries. These scars can impair mobility.
- Stretch marks (Striae) are red or whitish lines of wrinkled skin. Often they are seen following rapid fluctuations in weight and/or pregnancy.
Scar treatment
Complete scar removal is a challenging task, as almost no scar can be removed entirely. However, the appearance of the scar can be minimized through procedures like injections, needling, microdermabrasion or surgery.
Surgical scar removal procedures are painful and invasive and carry a risk of complications. Laser scar removal performed in our clinic offers a noninvasive solution that uses fractional laser technology to deliver rapid, reliable scar removal with less risk, less pain and minimal downtime.
Fractional laser technology is the driving power behind our scar removal treatment. We use pulses of laser light to coagulate scar tissue and trigger healthy new tissue to form in clients' skin. Healing time is minimal, infection risk is eliminated and little to no pain is felt.
Laser scar removal with Palomar StarLux 500 equipment is appropriate for use on all skin types, making our treatment the preferred method of scar removal for excellent clinical outcomes.
In our clinic we use Palomar StarLux 500 system with Lux1540 fractional non-ablative head. Lux1540 is the only fractional head that received FDA approval for scar treatment.
What results can I expect?
Recent clinical studies have demonstrated very high effectiveness of non-ablative treatment of scars which resulted in up to 75% of scar improvement. Below are the photos showing results from non-ablative laser treatments of scars using Lux1540 hand-piece.
| Before and After Photos of Scar Removal Treatment*,** | |
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before treatment  |
after treatment  |
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| *Individual results may vary. **Images are courtesy of Palomar Medical |
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How is the treatment with StarLux 500 Fractional non-ablative head different from other skin resurfacing treatments?
Some skin resurfacing devices, such as CO2 lasers, use the ablative method, which removes the epidermis and some dermis. While good results are eventually seen, the drawbacks include red and raw skin, down time and a risk of infection for several weeks following treatment.
Our device uses a non-ablative method: sending laser pulses into the epidermis and dermis, while leaving the stratum corneum in place. This allows for quick recovery.
Is this procedure for me?
Laser scar removal with Palomar Lux1540 fractional non-ablative head is appropriate for use on all skin types. It is the preferred method of scar removal for excellent clinical outcomes.
If you are interested in a less painful option to CO2 ablative laser procedures, and if you prefer to resume your daily life without extended recoveries, our gentle treatment may best suit your needs.
How does it work?
The fractional non-ablative hand-piece delivers light in an array of narrow, focused "microbeams", to create columns of changed skin tissue. These columns start a natural healing process that forms new, healthy tissue. This results in improved skin appearance. Advanced Contact Cooling technology protects the skin from overheating, promoting safer, more comfortable treatments.
Is this treatment safe?
Lux1540 fractional non-ablative hand-piece is clinically tested and FDA-approved for scar treatment. Fractional non-ablative treatment is less invasive and, therefore, has fewer side-effects and complications than similar ablative methods. Palomar is a company which takes clinical research, effectiveness and safety of their equipment to the highest standard.
How many treatments are needed?
A series of treatments at 3-6 week intervals may be required to achieve the desired results. The treatment plan is tailored individually for each patient to achieve the best outcome.
What to expect after treatment
You may experience redness, warmth, swelling or tightness of the treated area, which typically fades within 24-48 hours of treatment. Generally, you can receive a treatment and go back to work without any recovery time.
How much will it cost?
The price of scar treatment depends on the extent of damage to the scarred area. To receive individual pricing information, please make an appointment with our staff.