Laser hair removal is a popular treatment that helps patients address unwanted or excessive hair on the body. One question prospective patients often ask is if the procedure can be done on skin that is scarred. Fortunately, the procedure is completely safe for these areas.
There are a few extra things the surgeon can do to ensure everything goes smoothly from beginning to end with this procedure so that the patient gets great results. First, a spot test should be conducted. A lower energy laser will be used to ensure the skin doesn’t react negatively. If everything goes well with the test, it’s a very good indicator that the whole area will respond well to treatment.
Another thing that can be done to ensure a patient with scarred skin gets optimum results is to employ the use of a small-tipped laser. This promotes results to appear even faster. If the scar is colored, a different type of laser may be used as well. If the scarred tissue is sensitive to treatment, a cooling device can be used to minimize discomfort.
One important thing all patients should know is that skin must be completely healed in order to be eligible for laser hair removal treatment. If a scar is only partially formed or there is a visible opening in the skin, it will be necessary to wait for the wound to heal completely and the skin to repair itself.
A complete series of laser hair removal treatments, which includes between six and eight total sessions, can give incredible results. Patients experience a permanent reduction of 80% of the hair in the treated area. This practical treatment is an excellent option for patients of many skin types, including those with scars.