Luckily, there are several options for scar removal. You no longer have to depend on surgical alternatives to get smoother skin. Here's an overview of the different types of resurfacing techniques you can choose from to get rid of your scars.

Laser Therapy Options

Although laser therapy is not capable of completely eliminating scars, it is a very popular procedure for achieving scar reduction. In fact, you can choose from a wide variety of lasers that are used to treat different skin problems.

Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars

These types of scars are often treated using pulse dye lasers (PDL). If the PDL is to be used to treat scars located on sensitive areas (i.e., lips, fingers, etc), the doctor may suggest the use of intralesional anesthesia.

The most common side effects may include redness and rashes that will clear up in a short period of time. Any lingering problems should be studied by your doctor.

If you want to treat your hypertrophic scars effectively, then you may need to undergo 2 or 4 sessions. Keloid scars, however, may require more sessions.

Stretch Marks

Lower energy PDLs can also be used to treat stretch marks. This type of treatment should not produce as many side effects as a higher energy PDL and you will probably only need to undergo one or two treatments before seeing positive results..

Atrophic Scars

If you are trying to treat atrophic scars, then your best bet are ablative lasers. Carbon dioxide lasers and Er:YAG lasers are a popular form of treatment for raised scars. Because this type of scar treatment is more precise than other resurfacing techniques, it will offer better results and produce less collateral damage.

Other Resurfacing Alternatives

Chemical Peels

Chemicals peels have been used for decades to remove blemishes and scars. This type of treatment gets its name because it uses different chemicals to remove different layers of the skin. For example, a light chemical peel will help remove the epidermis while a deeper chemical peel that uses more intense chemicals will help remove the epidermis as well as part of the dermis.

These treatments usually require up to two weeks of recovery time. The skin will crust over, scab, and once the scab has been removed, the smoother and younger looking skin hidden underneath will finally show through.

Dermabrasion

This type of procedure uses an abrasive tool or particles to "sand off" the skin. As with chemical peels, dermabrasion requires the care of a medical professional and the use of anesthesia to achieve proper scar removal.

Scar Creams

Scar creams are another type of alternative that will not only help eliminate damaged tissue, but also help promote good scar healing. In the latter case, the scar removal cream should be applied as soon as the wound has closed. Nevertheless, if you want to remove a scar, then you will need to be consistent with its application.