Scars

During the initial consultation, the doctor will examine the patient, and give the patient an idea of the likely result or improvement, and the number of sessions required for good results. The doctor will then generally “prepare” the skin, over a period of 2 weeks to a month, wherein the patient will be given sunscreens, retinoic acids, skin bleaching agents and high doses of vitamin C. All of these combine to protect the skin against sun damage in the post treatment phase. If there is not enough time to prepare the skin, the patients must take extra care, and not expose themselves to sunlight in the post treatment phase.

On the day of the treatment, anaesthetic cream will be applied on the area to be treated. Generally, such anaesthetic cream is sufficient for most patients. However, in cases where the scars are deep or the wrinkles are long standing, then deeper skin resurfacing would be necessary. In such cases, local anaesthetic injections will also be given to the patient.

The treatment is generally carried out in entire cosmetic units of the face or body, even if the scar is localized in a certain area. This is because the cosmetic unit has a similar look, and minor pigmentation changes in the first few months will not be very noticeable if the entire cosmetic unit is affected.

The non-ablative mode will involve placing 5mm spots in the entire area to be treated. Generally, this will go slowly, and treating both cheeks may take up to half an hour, for example.

The ablative mode involves removing the skin layers, one layer at a time. So the laser will be passed over the same area repeatedly. As we go deeper, it may become painful. The patient must request additional anaesthetic if the pain is too much to bear.

Once the procedure is completed, a dressing will be put on the skin, and the patient will be allowed to leave immediately. The dressing can be open (without any covering, just a thick layer of Vaseline or Aloe Vera), or closed (with a thin plastic, or gauze dressing)

Post Laser, it is important to keep the treatment area moist for the first few days. This is achieved by applying Vaseline cream. If the treatment is done by the ablative mode, the skin looks raw for the first few days, and it is better to stay indoors and avoid sun exposure during this phase. Once this phase is over, and the skin heals, it is still better to cover the face with a hat or scarf, while going out in the sun, and liberally using sunscreen lotions. The effects become visible in the first month, and full results are evident within 3 months.