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Fortunately, there are a great many options for scar removal. This gives you a great deal of freedom and means that you no longer have to depend on surgical alternatives to get smoother skin. Here's a quick look at the different types of resurfacing techniques that can help you get rid of scars.

Laser Therapy Options

Although laser therapy is not capable of completely eliminating scars, it is a very popular procedure for achieving scar reduction. In fact, you can choose from a wide variety of lasers that are used to treat different skin problems.

Keloid Scars & Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic and keloid scars are often treated using pulse dye lasers (PDL). If the PDL is to be used on sensitive areas (lips, fingers, etc), the doctor may suggest intralesional anesthesia.

This procedure may produce a few side effects, such as redness or rashes. If this does occur you needn't worry because they will quickly disappear. If after a couple of months the problem hasn't cleared up, call your doctor.

Normal hypertrophic scars may require from two to four sessions. However, if you're trying to treat keloid scars, you may need to undergo more than 4 sessions.

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can be treated with lower energy PDLs. You shouldn't have to undergo more than 1 or 2 treatments before seeing positive results nor should you experience too many unwanted side effects..

Atrophic Scars

If you are trying to treat atrophic scars, then your best bet are ablative lasers. Both carbon dioxide lasers and Er:YAG lasers are a very common form of treatment for raised scars. Because this type of scar treatment is more precise than other resurfacing techniques, it will offer better results and produce less collateral damage.

Other Resurfacing Techniques

Chemical Peels

Chemicals peels have been used for ages to help remove skin imperfections such as blemishes and scars. They consist of using different chemicals to remove different layers of the skin. For example, deep chemical peels help remove the epidermis as well as part of the dermis, while a light chemical peel will only remove the epidermis.

If you undergo this type of treatment you will need at least two weeks to recover fully. The skin will crust over, scab, and once the scab has been removed, the smoother and younger looking skin hidden underneath will finally show through.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion requires the use of an abrasive tool or particles to "sand off" the skin. As with chemical peels, dermabrasion requires the care of a medical professional and the use of anesthesia to achieve proper scar removal.

Scar Creams

Scar creams are another type of alternative that will not only help eliminate damaged tissue, but also help promote good scar healing. If you want to help a scar heal properly then the scar removal cream should be applied as soon as the wound has closed. To remove scar tissue, you will need to be consistent about its application.