Luckily, there are several options for scar removal. This is great news, especially for people that are a bit uncomfortable undergoing surgical procedures. Here's a quick look at the different types of resurfacing techniques you can choose from.

Laser Therapy Options

Even though laser therapy will not completely eliminate scars, it is a very popular procedure for achieving scar reduction. In fact, there are a wide variety of lasers that are used to treat different skin problems.

Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars

These types of scars are often treated using pulse dye lasers (PDL). If the scar you are trying to treat is located in a sensitive area, such as lips, fingers, etc, the doctor may suggest using 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 the problem persists; you should consult with your doctor.

Normal hypertrophic scars may require from two to four sessions. Keloid scars, however, may require more sessions.

Stretch Marks

You can also use lower energy PDLs to help treat stretch marks. This type of treatment should not produce as many side effects as a higher energy PDL and you will probably only need to undergo one or two treatments before seeing positive results..

Atrophic Scars

If you are trying to treat atrophic scars, then your best bet are ablative lasers. A common way of treating raised scars is with carbon dioxide lasers and Er:YAG lasers. 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 Alternatives

Chemical Peels

Chemicals peels have been used for centuries to help remove blemishes and scars. This type of treatment consists in the use of different chemicals to remove different layers of the skin. For example, a light chemical peel will help remove the epidermis while a deeper chemical peel that uses more intense chemicals will help remove the epidermis as well as part of the dermis.

This type of treatment requires at least two weeks of recovery time. 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

This type of procedure uses an abrasive tool or particles to "sand off" the skin. As with chemical peels, dermabrasion requires anesthesia and medical supervision to achieve significant scar removal.

Scar Creams

If you aren't keen to undergoing invasive treatments then you might want to try another less aggressive option - scar creams. Scar creams not only help eliminate damaged tissue, but they also help promote good scar healing. In order to help promote proper healing, the scar removal cream should be applied as soon as the wound has closed. However, if what you are looking for is the removal of scar tissue, then you will need to be consistent about its application.