Ten Things Before Laser Scar Treatment

A laser scar treatment may not be a single, fixed-price event. Several things shape what it delivers and what it ends up costing, and most of them are easier to deal with before booking than after.

Ten of them follow, as described by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Each one affects either the result you can reasonably expect or the number of visits and extras that come with it.

What a laser can and cannot do

First, the American Academy of Dermatology says laser treatment can make a scar less noticeable, but it cannot get rid of a scar. When you have laser scar treatment, you're replacing one scar with another less-noticeable scar. A promotion that talks about erasing a scar is promising something the guidance says does not happen.

Second, the type of scar matters. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says laser resurfacing is most effective for treating superficial scars caused by acne, surgery or trauma that are not growing or getting thicker. A scar that does not fit that description is a reason to ask what the laser is expected to do for it. The society's page on laser resurfacing for scars covers the procedure in more detail.

Who holds the laser

Third, the academy says your results depend largely on the skills of the person performing the laser treatment. Dermatologists are at the forefront of researching and treating scars with lasers. In the hands of a board-certified dermatologist, laser treatment can safely treat many types of scars. When the person performing your laser treatment lacks medical expertise and specialized knowledge of the skin, laser treatment may not give you the results you seek. It can even be dangerous.

This is the strongest argument against choosing on price alone. A low quote from a provider you cannot verify is not a saving if the result is poor or the treatment is unsafe. Ask who will operate the laser and what their training is.

Fourth, the academy says a medical consultation is crucial before any laser treatment. If someone promises to treat your scar before providing a medical consultation, walk away. Give your dermatologist a list of the medications and supplements you take. To heal well and prevent the laser from scarring your skin, you may need to stop taking something for a while.

Preparing in the weeks before

Fifth, sun protection. The academy says sun protection is crucial before and after laser treatment. If you show up for laser treatment with a tan or sunburn, your dermatologist cannot treat you. Using a laser could cause a serious burn or discolor your skin. After laser treatment, you'll need to protect your skin from the sun until it heals. If the sun's harmful rays hit your treated skin, you can develop another scar.

Sixth, lifestyle changes. To heal well and get the best results, the academy says dermatologists recommend that patients quit smoking for at least two weeks before laser treatment and stop taking vitamin E, aspirin, and other medications and supplements that can delay healing.

Seventh, products and procedures. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says to avoid sunbathing, tanning beds, waxing, chemical peels or collagen injections for two weeks prior to the procedure. It also says to avoid perfumes, deodorants or any potential irritants in the treatment area before and after treatment.

Several of these steps cost nothing. Others may mean pausing a product or a prior booking, so ask for the full preparation list when you book, not on the day.

Healing and repeat visits

Eighth, healing takes time. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says healing typically takes 10 to 21 days, depending on the size and location of the procedure. Plan your calendar around that range rather than the shortest figure you were quoted.

Ninth, one session may not be enough. The academy says a dermatologist may schedule a series of laser treatments for long-lasting results and the most improvement, and that this is often necessary with a non-ablative laser, which has no downtime but may take a few treatments to show the desired results.

The ninth point is the one that undermines headline pricing. A price per session is not a price per result. Ask how many sessions are expected and whether the quote covers all of them.

The insurance question

Tenth, insurance may not cover the cost. The academy says laser scar treatment can ease the pain and itch that scars sometimes cause, and if a scar limits movement, laser treatment can help you move more freely. Still, it says insurance providers consider laser treatments cosmetic treatments, and health insurance generally does not cover the cost of cosmetic treatments.

Check your own policy before assuming any part of the bill is covered. The academy's general page on scars and stretch marks is a useful companion while you compare plans and providers.

Before you book

Put the ten points into a short list of questions. Who will perform the treatment, and what are their credentials? When is the consultation? How many sessions are expected, and what does the quote cover? What should be avoided for two weeks beforehand, and for how long afterward must the area be protected from the sun? Would insurance pay anything? A provider who answers all of these in writing has given you something you can compare. One who will not is telling you something too.