Scars can have a detrimental effect on your self-esteem and be associated with unpleasant memories. Consider laser scar removal as an effective solution to restore your confidence and find closure. At New York Laser & Skin Care, laser treatments are our forte.

Located on Fifth Avenue in New York City, NY, our luxurious facilities and highly skilled staff are eager to receive you and provide you with the attentive, personalized care you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can treat your scars. Our team is committed to bringing you clinically proven solutions and world-class expertise in a comfortable, welcoming environment.

Laser Scar Removal at NY Laser & Skin Care

Our clinic offers a range of advanced, safe and highly effective laser treatments for scarring, each with their own unique properties and specializations. ResurFX and VBeam target acne scars, while Fraxel and UltraPulse can treat several types of scarring.

Laser treatments are an effective option for reducing minor-to-moderate scarring that affects the skin’s surface layers. These include acne scars, surgical scars, burn scars and scars left by minor injuries. Deeper, more severe scarring will require more aggressive forms of treatment, such as dermabrasion or surgery.

The heat generated by laser light works to break up scar tissue and stimulate the growth of healthy new skin in its place. Laser scar removal treatments can be either ablative or nonablative: ablative lasers remove surface layers of skin, while nonablative lasers penetrate the surface skin to directly treat deeper tissues.

Fraxel

Fraxel is a nonablative laser treatment that can correct minor scarring of all kinds, from acne scars to those left by burns, injuries and surgical procedures. It works by encouraging collagen production, helping to improve the appearance and texture of scar tissue.

This laser’s pulses are minute and target only a small area of skin tissue at a time. This ensures treated areas do not accumulate excess heat, protects surrounding tissues from damage and ultimately minimizes downtime.

ResurFX

The Lumenis ResurFX is a nonablative laser treatment that can significantly improve the texture and appearance of acne scars. This laser works by creating microscopic points of heat injury in your skin tissues, stimulating an increase in collagen production.

The shape, pattern, size and density of ResurFX’s laser pulses can all be adjusted, making it easy to quickly cover a wide treatment area and is therefore ideal for treating large clusters of acne scars. The laser handpiece also cools the skin on contact, helping to ensure patient comfort.

UltraPulse

The Lumenis UltraPulse system is an ablative laser with a variety of selectable modes and device configurations. UltraPulse’s SCAAR FX mode is specialized for treating mild-to-moderate scarring of all types, shapes and sizes. This mode delivers extremely powerful, deep-reaching pulses, which work to restore and remodel collagen without damaging the surrounding skin.

VBeam

Designed by Candela, the Vbeam is a nonablative laser treatment ideal for addressing pigmented acne scars. This laser targets the red pigment in broken and damaged blood vessels left behind by acne lesions, which is responsible for the darker color of many acne scars. These blood vessels absorb the laser light, shrink and fade, and appear lighter and less prominent.

Suitable Candidates

To be a suitable candidate you must be in good overall health, as this will ensure a quick recovery and lower the risk of side effects. If you smoke, have a weak immune system or experience skin conditions such as rosacea in your treatment area, you should avoid this procedure.

Reasonable expectations are also important. Some scars may require multiple laser sessions or additional treatment strategies, such as specially formulated topicals or other cosmetic procedures.

Patients of any skin color can safely undergo laser scar removal, however patients with darker skin tend to be more susceptible to hyperpigmentation as a side effect. As such, their scars must be treated at a lower laser intensity and more sessions are required to achieve the same results as patients with lighter skin.

Laser treatments can sometimes worsen existing scarring for patients with raised (hypertrophic or keloid) scars. If you are prone to developing these types of scars, our specialists will take special care to weigh the risks and assess if laser treatment is the right option for you.

Before and After Photos

Some of the patients featured in this photo gallery may have undergone other treatments in addition to laser scar removal. We do not guarantee that everyone who undergoes this procedure will obtain these or similar results.

Shortly after your procedure, you will experience some stinging and discomfort in the treatment area, followed by minor bleeding, skin peeling, swelling and scabbing. These aftereffects are a normal part of the skin’s reaction to laser treatment and subsequent healing process.

Your skin should fully recover from these side effects after 7–10 days, at which point the results of your scar removal treatment will be fully noticeable.

What to Expect From the Procedure

One of our specialists will begin by cleansing the skin around your scar. Depending on the size of the treatment area and the intensity of the laser, they may either apply a numbing cream or inject a small amount of anesthetic to help ensure your comfort. If the scar is on your face, they will also provide you with a pair of protective goggles.

Our specialist will then begin passing the laser device over your scar, periodically discharging laser pulses, until every part of the scarred area has been treated. Once this is completed, you will be free to leave the clinic.

We will provide you with personalized aftercare instructions to support healing and minimize discomfort. Typical instructions may include avoiding sun exposure for 6–8 weeks after your procedure, wearing SPF 30 sunscreen anytime you go outside and regularly applying moisturizing lotion.

FAQ

What are the risks of laser scar removal?

Laser scar removal treatments can sometimes lead to serious side effects such as infection, skin discoloration and worsened scarring. However, these effects only occur due to poor technique or improper aftercare.

Can you completely remove a scar?

Although it varies from case to case, many scars can in fact be completely eliminated through a carefully selected combination of treatments. In cases in which laser treatments alone are not completely successful in removing a scar, we often prescribe medications and specially formulated skin products to heal scar tissue and restore lost pigment. We can even use fillers to help restore a natural smoothness and volume to scarred skin.

How can I prepare for a laser scar removal appointment?

In the 2–4 weeks leading up to your laser scar removal appointment, you will need to avoid blood-thinning medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible during this time as well, and wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater anytime you go outside.

You must also take care to avoid using skin care products containing retinoids or glycolic acid during this period, as these can increase your susceptibility to side effects. If you smoke, be sure to stop at least 2 weeks before your appointment; smoking suppresses your immune system, and can interfere with your healing process.

Are the results of laser scar removal permanent?

Yes, the improvements you see from laser scar removal treatments will be permanent.