Lasers and Tape: The Best Ways to Heal Your Scars

Patients know scars are one of the biggest downsides to having any type of invasive surgery. Unfortunately, scars can be apparent for a long time before they start fading and become less noticeable. Luckily, there are new ways to speed up the process of scar healing and even better ways to make them fade. Board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Jason Pozner of Florida and Dr. Stafford Broumand from New York discuss the most effective ways to treat your post-operative scars.

By Jason Pozner, MD & Stafford R. Broumand, MD
and Susan Kamyab
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

Lasers Zap the Scars Away!

There is no one technique that will remove scars immediately after surgery. Once you have a cut or an incision, there will be a scar to tell the tale. The difference between a blatant scar and one that heals really well are the techniques used during and after the procedure. For board certified plastic surgeons, scar treatment is just as important as the procedure itself. “We go through a whole process in our practice,” says Dr. Pozner. “We tape you up for a while and then if things start to look a little red, we go in with some lasers. For red scars, we use one of the IPL devices and it really drops the redness.”

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light.  This device is used to perform all sorts of skin treatments, including hair removal, wrinkles, and other skin conditions.  IPL develops specific wavelengths of light to target the different skin discolorations.

Benefits of Treating Scars with a Laser:

• Dramatically improves the appearance of scars
• No anesthesia required
• Lowers risk of infection
• Minimally invasive
• Minimal pain during procedure
• Quick recovery time

Taking the Tension Off the Scar

Lasers can be a great device for treating scars, but their usefulness is still being tested and developed, and they’re not widely available across the country. Alternative techniques, some of which have been tested for many years with legitimate results, help scars to heal by creating the right environment for the scar to heal naturally. One of these methods is to take the tension off the scar. “Whether it’s with taping, silicone sheeting, or silicone gel, you can get a great outcome without having to use lasers,” explains Dr. Broumand. “By just creating the proper environment while the scar heals, you actually can have an incredible result.”

Silicone sheets flatten and soften scars to a huge extent. Coloring also improves, going from a bright red to a more skin-tone, allowing the scar to blend in. Clinical studies have also proven the effectiveness and safeness of silicone sheet technology and silicone gel for the treatment and prevention of scars.

Don’t let Scars Scare You

The good news? The toolbox for plastic surgeons continues to expand, allowing patient’s unique situations to be met with different devices. There is no one trick that serves all.  Lasers and silicone sheeting can pair together to give patients the best possible outcome. By utilizing different techniques, board certified plastic surgeons can tailor a scar treatment regimen for each individual patient to achieve the best possible result.