Scars form for a variety of reasons, some joyful (the birth of a baby) and some heartbreaking (a debilitating injury). Although most scars fade in appearance over time, they can still cause you great frustration for months or even years after the wound has healed. They might make it hard for you to find comfortable clothes, force you to rehash the trauma that caused the scar, or make you feel embarrassed due to their unsightly appearance. Luckily, there are several treatments available these days for those wondering how to reduce old scars.
How to Reduce Old Scars
SKIN REJUVENATION TREATMENTS
Sublative RF™ is a unique procedure that rejuvenates the skin through targeted radio frequency energy. Each pulse creates a minor skin injury, which induces collagen activity. The skin regenerates and remodels itself, creating improved tone and texture, and the surrounding untreated areas support and accelerate the healing process of the scar. The treatment may feel like a warm, prickly sensation, and afterward, the skin will look as though it has been burnt by the sun. Topical anesthetic and cooling ointments are sometimes recommended to relieve discomfort. You can expect three to four days of light social downtime. Sublative RF™ typically requires three sessions scheduled four weeks apart, though this will depend on your skin’s condition and your desired outcome. It can be used on all skin types, from I to VI.
Fractora™ is another option for skin rejuvenation. It uses fractional radio frequency technology to rejuvenate and resurface the skin, improving its appearance. The energy in the device remodels the collagen and improves the skin’s tone and texture. The skin appears more radiant, and the scar is reduced. Although some results will be visible immediately, typically you will see results two to twelve weeks after treatment. One to four sessions are necessary, and the treatment can be used on skin types I to VI.
LASER TREATMENTS
A laser like the CoolGlide Genesis can gently reduce the depth of your scar, improving its appearance. The treatment is administered over a period of five months, and no downtime or discomfort is necessary. Plus, the treatment can be used on all skin types.
DERMAL FILLERS
In select areas, dermal fillers may be an option. The filler is applied using a very thin needle to reduce discomfort. The product will “fill in” indentations of the skin, providing immediate results. This treatment isn’t appropriate for all scars, but our skin care technicians would be happy to discuss all possible treatments with you.
TATTOO CAMOUFLAGE
If your old scar is discolored, you can minimize its conspicuousness by using a tattoo to camouflage the mark. The tattoo pigment will help the scar blend in with the rest of the skin. However, because the tattoo will not change due to sun exposure, we do not recommend tattoo camouflage in areas that will see the sun. If your surrounding skin tans, after all, it will no longer match the tattoo. Tattoo camouflage works well in areas like the breasts (after an augmentation, reduction, or mastectomy, for example), the scalp, and the eyebrow. It can mimic hair as well as skin to create a natural look.
