Scar Treatment NYC

Scar Treatment and Removal

Although scars are a natural part of the healing process, their appearance can leave you feeling self-conscious. At JUVA Skin & Laser Center, we can help you explore your scar removal options and recommend the best scar treatment. If you’re in the NYC area and are interested in reducing the appearance of your scars, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with us.

Understanding scars

Scars form when the deep layer of the skin, known as the dermis, is damaged. When your skin begins to repair itself after being damaged, the new tissue will consist of a different texture and condition. In most cases, your skin does not repair itself perfectly. This is because a scar is your body’s way of making a quick patch over a wound. Scars can develop from a variety of factors, including:

Surgery
Accidents
Acne
Burns
Disease

What are common types of scars?

Over time, your body will try to repair the scar. However, your body’s ability to do this adequately will depend on the size and type of scar, as well as personal factors such as genetics, age, and skin health. In many cases, your body is not able to significantly improve the look and feel of a scar without help from professional scar treatment.

To find the right scar treatment, you need to understand the type(s) of scar you’re dealing with. Many scars have a flat, pale appearance. The marks that don’t fit this description fall into one of three categories:

Hypertrophic scars

Some scars become raised due to excess collagen production during the healing process. These raised scars are called hypertrophic scars. Hypertrophic scars stay within the boundary of the injury.

Atrophic scars

Depressed scars, also called atrophic scars, are those that dip below the surface of the skin. These distinct marks are typically the result of a collagen shortage during the healing phase. Many stubborn acne scars are atrophic.

Keloid scars

When the healing process is particularly over-reactive, scars can expand far beyond the bounds of the original wound. These raised, lumpy scars are referred to as keloid scars. Unlike hypertrophic scars, they are often dark in color and can be hard to the touch. Individuals with darker skin, individuals with a family history of keloids, and women, in general, are more at risk for forming keloid scars. Without scar treatment, keloid scars will typically continue to grow. Eventually, they may begin to hamper movement or cause irritation.

Pigmentation issues

You may experience pigmentation issues with any of the scars mentioned above. Sometimes scars appear red or brown. This is known as hyperpigmentation. Other times, scars appear lighter than the surrounding area, which is referred to as hypopigmentation. Different types of scars react differently to scar removal treatments. Our NYC scar treatment specialists can recommend the right treatment to best reduce the appearance of the scars on your specific skin.

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What are my scar removal treatment options?

At JUVA Skin & Laser Center in NYC, we offer a wide variety of effective and proven scar treatment options to suit your individual needs. The ideal time to treat scars is about eight weeks after the initial injury — however, this is not always possible.

Fortunately, even scars that are years old can be improved with the right scar treatment. Our experienced scar treatment specialists are committed to providing you with options for achieving noticeable results with minimal to no downtime. You may benefit from just one type of scar treatment, or a customized treatment plan that incorporates several of the procedures listed below. When several procedures are performed to improve the appearance of your scar, it’s known as combination therapy.

Laser scar removal

It wasn’t always easy to remove scars, but through the use of our accurate, precision-engineered medical lasers, we are able to improve scars through a series of short, relatively pain-free appointments. Our laser scar removal technologies allow us to safely, effectively, and non-surgically remove many types of scars, alleviating these cosmetic issues and enhancing your self-confidence.

Laser scar removal has a number of benefits, including:

Effective treatments that deliver significant results
Sessions involve little to no pain or discomfort
No downtime or recovery process

Dr. Katz and his staff are amazing! Very progressive in their scope of services and treatments. I’ve been to many doctors, but with Dr. Katz I have the most confidence. I feel beautiful again.

Diane K.

Fractional CO2 laser

The fractional CO2 laser is a state-of-the-art, non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that provides beautiful results with minimal downtime or discomfort. The fractional laser is so named because it treats only a fraction of the skin in the treatment area. This means that the healthy skin in the treatment area can help speed up the healing process.

The fractional laser is safe and effective for all skin types, and is particularly effective for treating acne scars, surgical scars, and burn scars. This device can also resurface the skin for the treatment of wrinkles and sun damage. The fractional CO2 laser works by penetrating the deeper layers of the skin with pixelated shafts of focused light. The skin reacts by producing new healthy collagen that smooths out existing scars. You may see some immediate results, but final results will appear as your skin heals.

Bellafill for atrophic scars

Bellafill® is a revolutionary dermal filler that provides results that can last up to five years. For acne scars and other depressed scars, Bellafill helps lift the affected tissue and align it with your skin level. Unlike other dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid, Bellafill restores the skin rather than simply dissolving over time.

Bellafill’s polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres are suspended in a collagen gel for injection. Once injected, the PMMA microspheres form a unique support structure that your natural collagen can build on. As Bellafill dissolves, it leaves your skin with a strong collagen foundation to retain its improved appearance.

Pulsed dye laser

The pulsed dye laser (PDL) can improve scar texture and color. The PDL uses a concentrated beam of safe yellow light to target blood vessels in the skin. The light heats the targeted blood vessels and eliminates them while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. PDL treatment is safe and effective. A session can be completed in a few minutes, without anesthesia. This approach is appropriate for most scar types, including hypertrophic. Depending on the scar, you may need several treatments for the best results.

RF microneedling

Microneedling is suitable for all skin types, and is one of the safest treatments available today. When it comes to scar treatment, microneedling that incorporates radiofrequency therapy is especially effective. The tiny injuries created during microneedling do not damage the outer layer of skin, but they do trigger your skin’s natural collagen production response.

This process is accelerated by the warmth provided by radiofrequency energy. This combination reduces the appearance of scars by allowing your skin to tap into its natural healing process. You may experience some skin redness for a few hours following your microneedling treatment. You should begin to see a reduction in the visibility of your scar that will improve over time. Multiple sessions generally offer the most significant improvement.

Steroid injections for keloid scars

Steroid injections are often an ideal solution for those who have keloid scars. Steroids help “turn off” the fibroblasts that are causing growth, while encouraging the skin to remodel the scar tissue. While steroid injections can help diminish the appearance of keloid scars, they usually can’t remove the scar entirely. Our dermatologists may suggest supplementing your injections with laser treatments or another scar removal method to achieve the best outcome. In most cases, several sessions will be required to achieve full results.

Your scar treatment consultation

To best treat your scar(s), it’s very important that we fully understand your skin type, your overall health, and the characteristics of your scar. This is one of the reasons why we will have a consultation with you before your scar treatment. During your consultation, please inform us if you smoke, take any medications, get cold sores, or have any specific medical conditions. All of this information, along with understanding your aesthetic goals, will help us to create a personalized treatment plan to achieve the absolute best results for you. If you’re in the NYC area and are interested in reducing the appearance of your scar, our specialists will use a combination of experience, artistry, and technology to get an improved outcome for you.

Scar removal aftercare

Our dermatologists will discuss the specific aftercare required after your scar removal treatment. These steps can vary depending on the procedure(s) that are performed for your scar treatment and your unique needs. However, there are some general guidelines that you can expect to follow:

Protect your skin from sun exposure. Avoid direct sun exposure for a specific time period after scar treatment (usually 48 hours). Even after the given time period has ended, you should always treat your skin with care when it comes to the sun’s harmful rays. Use sunscreen daily, wear clothing and hats that cover your skin, and seek shade as often as possible.

Cleanse your skin gently. Don’t use harsh products or scrubs on your skin after scar treatment. Allow your skin time to heal naturally.

Avoid powerful actives. For several days following a scar treatment, you should avoid products with retinoid, glycolic acid, and vitamin C. Instead, stick to gentle skincare products and ask us for recommendations if you’re unsure of what to use.

Do not wear makeup on the treated area. Your skin needs time to recover as it heals after a scar treatment. Our dermatologists will tell you when it’s okay to apply makeup after a specific procedure.

Wound care to prevent or lessen scars

When your skin becomes damaged, the way you care for a wound plays a big role in the way your skin heals. By taking the appropriate steps, it’s possible to minimize scarring or prevent one from forming at all. Keep in mind that scars can still form despite your best efforts.

First and foremost, ensure that your wound is clean by gently rinsing it with soap and water. Avoid hydrogen peroxide (the liquid substance that creates white bubbles when you apply it). While hydrogen peroxide may seem to indicate a deep clean, it can actually cause damage. Lastly, keep the injury moist with petroleum jelly and apply a sterile bandage to protect the area.

Options for early scar protection

In the first year that a scar is healing, it’s important to shield it from sun exposure. A combination of silicone sheets and sunscreen is ideal for protecting healing scars. The silicone sheets help reduce scar tissue by discouraging unbalanced fibroblast growth. Meanwhile, sunscreen protects the scar from darkening due to UV ray exposure.

There are several effective products on the market that are ideal for promoting early scar healing. Biocorneum® is an advanced silicone gel that contains SPF for sun protection. Once Biocorneum dries, it forms an invisible silicone sheet covering the scar to protect the skin from hyperpigmentation and further color change. Our dermatologists can examine your scar and help you select the appropriate products to use during the initial healing phase.

JUVA Skin & Laser Center for scar treatment in NYC

Scar treatment must be performed delicately. Many scars result from a deviation in the normal healing process, and it’s important to work with an experienced specialist who understands which treatments will reduce scars, and which might trigger new ones. At JUVA Skin & Laser Center, dermatology is one of our main areas of expertise. Our dermatologists can evaluate your scar(s) and recommend the best treatment for you. With the latest laser technology and treatments available, we will provide you with the best options to meet your cosmetic goals.

Our medical director, Dr. Bruce Katz, is a board-certified dermatologist who is world-renowned for his innovations in the field of cosmetic procedures. He regularly lectures at medical symposia all over the world, and is frequently seen or read in media outlets such as the Today show, Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, The View, CNN, The Doctors, Cosmopolitan, and Dermatology Times. If you’re interested in improving the appearance of your scar(s), please contact us today to schedule your scar treatment consultation with us. We proudly serve patients all throughout NYC and the world from our Manhattan and Woodside locations.