Scars tell a story, but sometimes, they’re stories we’d rather not share. Whether it’s a lingering reminder of teenage acne, a surgical scar, or an old injury, these scars leave marks on more than just our skin—they affect our confidence as well.
With laser scar removal in Kansas City, you can treat those scars and rewrite your story. At Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center, we use state-of-the-art laser technology to target different types of scars, helping you achieve a clearer, more even complexion.
From acne scars to stretch marks, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore the best laser treatments for different scar types— your skin deserves a fresh start!
The Different Types of Scars: Explained
Scars are a natural result of the body’s attempt to repair or replace damaged skin. They are the new skin that develops after an injury and are caused by an overproduction of collagen. This creates skin tissue of a different texture, tone, and quality from the uninjured skin around it.
Though the biological process is the same, there are different types of scars that form depending on the skins initial injury, as well as its response to treatment. The first step in determining what treatment for laser scar removal in Kansas City is right for you begins with determining which type of scarring you want to treat.
Acne Scars
Acne scars are one of the most common scar types out there, because acne itself is so common. Approximately 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will struggle with acne at some point in their life. From that 80%, 1 in every 5 will scar.
Acne scars develop in 2 ways: as an indention in the skin caused by a loss of tissue, or as a raised surface on the skin. Acne scarring is unique in that there are actually different types of scarring within this category of scarring itself (fun, right?). These include:
- Boxcar scarring: These acne scars are indents in the skin that have sharper edges. Those edges go deep into the skin, which gives the scar a “box” like appearance.
- Ice pick scarring: The shape of this form of acne scar resembles the tool it’s named after—a wider hole at the top that narrows into a point as it sinks into the skin.
- Rolling scarring: Rolling scars are indents in the skin that have sloping edges. This causes the skin to look wavy and gives the appearance of an uneven texture.
Since acne scarring can manifest in different ways, having a dermatologist like those available at Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center can be critical when diagnosing which specific scar type you have. Determining your scar type will allow us to assess if laser scar removal in Kansas City is right for you and your unique scar type.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are another extremely common form of scarring. About 50% to 90% of women experience these types of marks on their body, and it’s not uncommon for men to struggle with them, too.
There are many ways that stretch marks can form, with some of the most common causes being:
- Pregnancy
- Rapid weight gain or loss
- Specific medical conditions
- Growth spurts
These scars are completely cosmetic and won’t directly impact your physical health. They can, however, significantly affect your mental health and confidence. Often, they will fade on their own or with treatment, but sometimes stretch marks will never fade entirely.
Surgical Scars
No matter how precise medical professionals are during surgery, there is always a risk of scarring after. Some of this scarring can heal into a fine line that fades with time. Others become more pronounced over time, and have a significant impact on the quality of life of those stuck with them.
Patients experience 3 common types of scarring after surgery: hypertrophic scarring, keloid scarring, and atrophic scarring.
Hypertrophic Scarring
This type of scar rises above the normal skin level. Although it will maintain the shape of the original cut, it may widen over time. These scars are often red or pink, though the color can vary from person to person.
Keloid Scarring
Keloid scars stand out from the skin and largely expand beyond the original surgical incision. They will continue to grow, forming nodules on the skin. These scars can be painful and itchy.
Atrophic Scarring
Atrophic scars create sunken areas of the skin. Unlike other types of scarring, this scar forms when too little skin tissue regenerates during the healing process. They may appear lighter or darker than the normal color of the skin.
What is laser scar removal?
Laser scar removal is a procedure that targets scar tissue with powerful beams of light. This encourage new collagen production and reduces redness as well as inflammation.
At KCS&CC, we have a few treatment options for those looking for laser scar removal in Kansas City. Depending on what type of scar you want to treat, as well as your unique skin type.
Halo
The Halo laser by Sciton is one of the most popular treatment options for scar reduction. It’s the only laser resurfacing procedure that combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to treat your skin and improve the appearance of scars. This combination maximizes treatment benefits and keeps downtime short.
The ablative laser works to remove the top layer of skin, stimulating new collagen production, while the non-ablative laser penetrates deeper into the dermis of the skin, targeting damaged tissue that causes scarring.
Cutera Excel V
The Cutera Excel V laser treatment uses 2 different light wavelengths to help target and treat raised scar tissue. The device delivers pulses of light energy into the tissue, which is then absorbed by the abnormal blood vessels and pigmented cells.
This heat damages the precisely targeted cells, which the body then disposes of. This helps to reduce the appearance of scars, as well as the red-pigmentation that often accompanies them.
Non-Laser Treatment Options
Sometimes, laser treatments may not align with your goals, or be the best option for your skin type. That doesn’t mean you have to put up with pesky scars, though. Secret RF Microneedling is a great treatment option for those that may need a non-laser solution for scarring.
This treatment combines the benefits of microneedling with the power of radiofrequency (RF) energy to break down and reduce the appearance of many scarring types. The RF energy delivers heat to specific layers of skin under the dermis, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture.
Simultaneously, the microneedles create tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin to trigger your body’s natural repair mechanism. This dual-action approach makes Secret RF versatile and effective at treating acne scars and stretch marks.
What to Expect During Laser Scar Removal
If you’re looking to move forward with laser scar removal in Kansas City, you might wonder what to expect. From the initial consultation to post-treatment care, laser scar removal is a safe, effective way to smooth and fade unwanted scars.
Here’s a step-by-step look at what happens during treatment, so you can feel confident and prepared for your journey to scar-free skin.
The Consultation
The consultation is our team’s first chance to get to know you, your skin type, unique concerns, and personal goals. At this time, we always invite you to ask questions regarding potential laser treatments or other options available at Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center.
The Laser Scar Removal Treatment
On the day of your appointment, a member of our team will guide you to one of our comfortable treatment rooms. From here, we’ll give you a comprehensive review of your specific treatment—whether that be the Halo laser , Secret RF Microneedling, or Cutera.
Different treatments require different pre-care steps. Though we will always outline these steps before the day of your appointment, there are some general guidelines for laser scar removal to note:
- Avoid sun exposure in the weeks leading up to your appointment.
- Arrive to your appointment with cleansed, fragrance free skin.
- For 1 to 2 weeks leading up to your appointment, avoid harsh exfoliants and scrubs, and stop using retinoids.
Depending on the size of the treatment area, a procedure involving the Halo laser may last 1 to 2 hours. Treatments using the Cutera Excel V take closer to 30 to 60 minutes.
The Results
After your procedure, you may experience signs of redness or swelling. This will usually subside within a few days, as your skin heals after the treatment. Your skin will have visible improvements within the weeks following your laser scar removal.
The improvements from the treatment are gradual because of the collagen stimulation provided by laser procedures. The appearance of scars will diminish as collagen increases, while the texture and tone of your skin even out.
If you want some tips on recovering after a laser scar removal treatment, take a peek at our top blog on recovering after laser skin resurfacing near Parkville, MO, for more.
Fading Scars, Boosting Confidence
Scars may be stubborn, but with the right laser treatment, they don’t have to be permanent. With cutting-edge laser scar removal in Kansas City, you can fade unwanted marks and reveal smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center is here to be your partner in skincare, and is committed to customizing a treatment to your unique needs. Ready to leave scars in the past? Book a consultation today and start your journey to renewed confidence!