Scar Removal

How Scar Tissue is Formed?

Scars can be formed through injury to the skin, severe inflammation or surgery, it is the body’s way of healing lost or damaged skin and is a complex phenomenon relying heavily on chemical signals in the body. The skin’s duty is to provide primary protection to the body and is responsible for skin repairs including, producing new tissue to pull broken tissue together and to fill any gaps where needed.

Stages of scar formation

There are 3 stages to scar formation, during each one the body improves the cell quality, which is why many scars will improve or fade over time. The three stages include, the Inflammatory phase, (redness inflammation and superficial healing), the proliferative phase, (granulation tissue, production of new vessels) and the reepithelialization phase, (remodelling/scar formation).

Not all scars will heal in the same way

Some of us may produce less dermal Myofibroblasts than others, these play an important role in contraction and maturation of the granulation of scar tissue and trigger the formation of fibroblasts and collagen. These help to make the scar more compact, reducing the size and appearance and stimulate elastin, responsible for the elasticity and movement to the skin. 

The solution to improving the appearance of a scar

The skin will of course prioritise the speed of healing over aesthetically how the scar will look, this is where aesthetic skin treatments can help. By treating the scar tissue when it is fairly new or even improving old scars will improve the skin’s appearance, even the texture and overall make the scar less visible. Through using lasers, steroid injections and other skin treatments, we can improve the quality and quantity of healthy collagen and elastin to improve the appearance of scars.

Benefits of Scar Removal Treatment at Pulse Light Clinic

• Smoother skin appearance
• Improved itching and discomfort from a healing scar
• Lasers and treatments suitable for all skin types
• Reduce the tightening sensation from scar tissue
• Improve tone and colour of a scar
• Even skin texture
• Early treatment can drastically reduce long term scarring
• Medic led clinic- various treatment options and prescription products
• Treatment of Keloid, Hypertrophic, Atrophic and Normotrophic (fine line) available

What are the different types of scarring?

Normotrophic (fine line)

The least obvious of all the scars, typically a minor thin line that will fade and be less noticeable as they become lighter. It can be raised but also can heal and flatten to the skin.

Solutions

This type of scarring is easier to fade with treatments, those that work well include, Dermapen  microneedling , Morpheus8 Body and Cool laser. These treatments can help to stimulate melanocytes which will allow for more production of pigment. Improving contrast in the tone of the skin whilst also some textural improvements.

Atrophic 

During the healing process there may be a lack of tissue produced. This can lead to the scar looking sunken in appearance, this is quite common in stretch marks and acne scarring as well as surgical scars such as mole removal.

Solutions

To stimulate a rapid quantity of collagen and elastin to build the skin back up to the level of the surrounding skin and even the tone and texture. A combination of lasers will be required for atrophic scars at a variety of depths in the skin to cause as much collagenesis as possible to lift the skin upwards. These will include the Co2 laser, the Cool laser, Morpheus Body, Halo Laser and potentially dermal filler.

Hypertrophic 

Typically these scars are slightly raised appearance caused by an overproduction of collagen during the healing process and usually lacking in pigment. The size will stay confined within the boundaries of the original scar (unlike Keloid which grows).

Solutions

As with most scars there is no one treatment that fixes all aspects of texture and tone. If the scar is raised, steroid injections from our Dermatologist may be needed initially or alongside laser. Resurfacing lasers are more effective to provide a new layer of healthy skin or to flatten it, such as Halo, Cool Laser, Co2 laser and the ICON.

Keloid

This scar formation is due to an abnormal overgrowth of collagen which is typically, raised, thickened and pigmented (pink or brown). Unlike the Hypertrophic scars though it continues to grow outside of the boundaries of the original wound, and can continue to grow even after it is healed. They can restrict the movement of a limb if they are close to a joint and feel very tight. Keloid scars are more common in darker skin types but can also happen in all skin types. They are more commonly caused by surgery or piercings, however this is not always the case. There are treatments that can make Keloid scars worsen, therefore it is important to have your treatment overseen by a Dermatologist.

Solutions

At Pulse Light Clinic we have our in house Dermatologist, who will oversee your treatment plan. You will likely need Steroid Injections to begin with, to flatten and improve the size of the scar. Should you be deemed suitable for laser treatment, steroids may be applied topically after the treatment. Some lasers that work well include the ICON, the design of the glass prism allows the laser to penetrate through the scarring but does not break the skin, minimising risks, whilst slowly stimulating healthy collagen and elastin. Following each treatment Dermalux LED light can provide cells with the energy they need to repair and produce new quality cells.

Come and see us

For your scar removal needs, we have a wealth of machines here at Pulse Light Clinic. If you are unsure which category your scar falls into we can help to analyse the skin and guide you in the right direction. It is important to keep in mind that you need expert advice and an array of equipment when it comes to scar removal. We offer free consultations with our experienced practitioners 7 days a week at our London and Manchester Clinics.