A scar is a mark left on the skin after an injury heals. Scars can be small and unobtrusive, or they can be quite large and prominent. While it’s generally easy to hide small scars, it’s not so easy to hide a big one. There are several different types of scar removal a doctor may use.
What are PRP Injections?
Platelet-rich plasma or PRP injections use the patient’s own blood. The doctor will draw blood from the patient and put it in a centrifuge to separate the components from each other. They actually form three different layers, with platelet-rich plasma and white blood cells in the middle layer. Platelet-rich plasma contains about five to ten times as many platelets as does regular blood. The platelets can both repair damaged tissues and stimulate circulation in the treatment area. PRP can also stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, which are proteins that give skin its elasticity and firmness. Most patients see results within two or three months after their injections.
What is PRP With Microneedling?
PRP with microneedling combines microneedling with PRP. Like laser skin resurfacing described below, microneedling involves “controlled wounding” in which the doctor deliberately creates tiny wounds to stimulate the patient’s healing processes and thus create new and healthy skin.
In microneedling, the doctor uses a handheld device with tiny needles that create punctures or microchannels in the patient’s skin. Depending on the patient’s needs, they can use needles of different lengths. Not only does microneedling promote the healing process and production of collagen, it also makes it easier for the PRP and any topical medications used to penetrate more deeply into the skin.
After microneedling the patient, the doctor will apply the PRP to the treatment site. Microneedling treatments are usually spaced four to six weeks apart if the patient needs more than one treatment.
What is laser skin resurfacing?
In laser skin resurfacing, the dermatologist uses a laser to remove damaged and dead skin cells. Specifically, they will use the Icon 1540 laser. It is non-ablative or non-wounding. It is also a fractional laser, which means it doesn’t remove the entire epidermis. Instead, the laser emits tiny microbeams that penetrate the skin but leaves the surrounding area untouched.
Laser surfacing is sometimes described as a type of “controlled wounding,” for it stimulates the healing process and encourages the production of collagen. New healthy skin replaces the old scarred skin. Most patients need three to six treatments to get the desired results. The treatments are generally spaced between one and two months apart.
Laser skin resurfacing can be used to treat many types of scars including surgery scars, acne scars, burn scars, and other scars caused by injury.
Contact Us
To learn more about your scar removal options, reach out to the professionals here at Flores Plastic Surgery in Miami, Fl. Contact us today and schedule your consultation!