By Carl W. Soderstrom, MD, Soderstrom Skin Institute
Scars develop after normal surgery, trauma, injuries, and diseases such
as acne. Scars can also form on their own, when the body’s tissues
overreact to injury, trauma, or disease. Scars leave behind painful and
undesirable reminders. They are visible signs that remain after a wound
has healed. Many times they are an unavoidable result of injury or
surgery, and their development can be unpredictable. Poor healing may
contribute to scars that are obvious, including poor health and poor
nutrition. Even a wound that heals well can result in a scar that
affects your appearance and is unsightly or disfiguring.
Types of Scars
There are many types of scars, including keloidal scars, hypertrophic
scars, contracture scars, acne scars, and stretch mark scars, with
varying degrees of unpleasantness. Some may become raised, some stretch
apart, and some are discolored — red or brown.
Treatments
There are many treatments for scars, including further surgery,
radiation (which leaves its own scars), topical treatments, injections,
gels, and many other modalities that have been attempted over the years.
New Therapy
A major breakthrough in scar treatment is the recent development of the
CO2 fractional laser. This laser sends multiple beams of light into scar
tissue resulting in a disruption of the abnormal healing. The tissues
then revert back to a normal healing process, frequently and very
effectively reducing the scar size, smoothing it out, reducing its
color, reducing the pain, and making it much more cosmetically
acceptable. Extensive research and clinical studies have shown that burn
scars respond very nicely to this. Trauma from incendiary bombs and
explosives in war zones also cause severe and distorted contractual burn
scars. Lasers have shown to be very effective in reducing the
unsightliness of these scars, and actually returning them toward more
normal appearance and function of the tissues in and around the scars.
The CO2 fractional laser has been used on all types of other scars,
including pregnancy stretch marks, post surgical scars, acne scars,
trauma scars, abrasion scars, radiation scars, and burn scars, with
varying degrees of success. Modern technology and science is always
seeking new treatments. This one is a miraculous new breakthrough in the
treatment of scars.
The First Step
As with all treatments, a scar should first be evaluated by your
physician, and the risks and benefits to any type of treatment
undertaken should be discussed. Please be sure to discuss all of the
options with your physician before proceeding with your CO2 fractional
laser scar treatment.
Carl W. Soderstrom, MD, FACP, FAAD is the founder and medical director of Soderstrom Skin Institute. Soderstrom Skin Institute is proud to be celebrating 40 years in Central Illinois. For additional information on our laser scar treatment program, contact us toll free at 888-970-7546. To schedule a consultation with Board Certified Dermatologist Carl W. Soderstrom, MD at our Peoria office, please call 309-674-7546. Before and after photos are available at SoderstromSkinInstitute.com.
Photos courtesy of Soderstrom Skin Institute