Monday, April 18, 2011

Advances in Scar Reduction Technology

Advances in Scar Reduction Technology


Matthew Pruitt is the owner of NuVision, a boutique medical spa in Manhattan that offers a range of laser-based procedures including Lasik to BOTOX and skin rejuvenation. Here he explains which technologies have been proven to help with scar reduction.


When patients visit NuVision asking about scar reduction technologies, we find that the most common request of that nature is actually for stretch marks. And then the second most common would be for the treatment of acne. These are typically the folks who have tried over-the-counter creams meant to diminish the appearance of scars, and other types of things, and just have not gotten the kinds of results that they wanted. When they come to us, they are looking for a treatment that is going to be a little more advanced, from the aspect of technology, and a laser treatment that is actually going to deliver tangible results. Two types of treatments work well for scar reduction:


Affirm Laser Treatment


The Affirm laser that we use for acne treatments we also use successfully for the reduction of stretch marks on women and men. While there is no perfect solution to completely remove a stretch mark (because a stretch mark essentially is a scar), the reduction of the appearance is really dramatic with the help of the Affirm laser.


We found that this particular laser does exceptionally well with scars and stretch marks, with no downtime for patients. And in the kind of world that we live in, especially for those of us who live in New York City, we just don't have the time for downtime because it's a fast moving, busy place. With the Affirm treatment, patients come in, they undergo the procedure, and head right back to work that day.


When it comes to cost, Affirm treatments are going to range from 0 to 0 per treatment. That's cheaper than many other options; however it usually takes two, three, or even four treatments before patients being seeing their desired results. Med spas like NuVision commonly offer package discounts, which can make the Affirm laser treatment a slightly more affordable option.


CO2 Laser Treatment


Another option for scar reduction is called the CO2 laser. It is a bit more invasive and a bit more abrasive than the Affirm, and it is also a lot more ablative.


Although the CO2 has been proven to work especially well, its invasiveness is seen as a negative for some on-the-go patients. And in general, the more ablative the technology is the longer the downtime. However, the results from a CO2 laser can be really outstanding, even though the downside is that it can take a week�or sometimes two weeks�to really heal and that depends on the skin tone you have.


Patients choosing the CO2 laser can expect to pay ,000 to ,000 for a treatment, depending on the type of laser you use and the doctor who is doing the procedure. Unlike with the Affirm, however, patients choosing the CO2 laser can achieve the results they are looking for in as little as one treatment, so the high cost is offset by that.


As of right now, the Affirm and the CO2 laser treatments are the procedures we are seeing the best results with in terms of scar reduction. That follows along with the clinical data that shows that these treatments have been proven to have the best outcomes for patients as well.


The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.



Matthew Pruitt is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a plastic surgeon or more plastic surgery articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Advances in Scar Reduction Technology



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