Treatment will depend on the type and location of your scar.

• Laser treatment is my most frequently performed procedure for scars. Lasers can treat atrophic or depressed scars, raised scars, acne scarring, and red scars. I can choose from fractional CO2 or erbium lasers, or fully ablative lasers for raised facial scars. Vascular lasers such as VBEAM can be effective for red scars, early scars, and keloid scarring.
• Anti-inflammatory injections are useful for raised or keloid scars. Most patients will need between 2-5 injections to flatten the scar. Injections can also relieve the itch and pain associated with keloid scarring.
• Silicone dressings with either a sheet or gel can help with early surgical scars. Additionally maintaining a constant pressure on early scars with bandages, and tape can help prevent scars.
• RF or RadioFrequency can be used for the treatment and prevention of early scars such as acne scarring in patients on Roaccutane. Another low downtime device is Tixel.

The type of scar & location will dictate the best procedure for your scars. In most cases of facial scarring, laser resurfacing is the best treatment, especially for surgical or traumatic scars. (The exception is if scars are keloid or hypertrophic)

Hypertrophic or keloid scars are best treated with intralesional steroid injections.

Red scars from surgery, acne or trauma can be markedly improved with V BEAM vascular laser or IPL. Patients will often need 3-4 treatments every 1-2 weeks for best results.

White scars can be improved with fractional lasers, micro needling & pigment stimulators. Surgical treatments include pigment transfer.

Recover following scar revision will depend on the site and the type of scar revision treatment.

• Fully ablative Erbium and or CO2 treatment – 7 to 10 days
• Fractional CO2 or Erbium laser – 3-7 days
• VBEAM vascular laser – 12 hours
• Anti-inflammatory injections – nil recovery time
• RF or RadioFrequency eMatrix- 24 to 48 hours (Acne scar prevention treatment)

We will discuss the expected recovery time during the examination and planning stage of your appointment.

Atrophic scars are indented scars that are depressed and lie lower than the surrounding skin. These scars are usually due to chicken pox, acne, or skin grafts. Treatment for atrophic scars including fillers, dermal fillers or fat grafting.

Keloid scars are lumpy, often itchy scars that lie above the surface of the skin. Treatments include laser (for early scars or keloid prevention), or steroid injections. The aim of treatment is to flatten these scars.

Fillers such as Juvederm are great for indented and atrophic scars

Raised scars can be either hypertrophic (with in the scar line) or keloid (extending beyond the scar margins). This type of scarring can be treated with laser (if scars are early or red), however injections with anti-inflammatory steroid solutions form the mainstay of treatment. Injections can reduce symptoms of keloid scars such as pain and itching. Most patients will need a series of injections every 5-6 weeks to flatten the scar. Keloid scars can be improved via flattening of the scars. In some cases I perform micro needling or fractional CO2 laser to further remodel scars.

Prevention of further keloid scarring is very important, especially if future surgery is planned. The early use of silicone sheeting, strapping and V Beam laser treatment is best for prevention.

The aim of treatment in this case is to raise the depressed tissue. This can be achieved by several methods including-

1. Laser resurfacing via multiple fractional CO2 laser. This process stimulates your body’s cells to produce collagen. This in turn raises the scar over several months. Ideally this treatment is used for rolling and atrophic acne scars. Results are permanent.
2. Fillers
3. Dermal grafting
4. Fat Grafting
5. Subcision

The type of acne scar and your skin colour will determine what is the ideal treatment. My rule is that optimal outcomes are achieved by matching a treatment to the scar type, and not the other way around. For more in-depth explanations review my Instagram posts @101.skin & @drdavinlim

Treatments for acne scars include the following-

• Fully ablative laser resurfacing- ideal for scars at the same level. Suitable for fair skin patients with box scar and rolling scars. Often I combine fully ablative Erbium laser with fractional laser resurfacing.
• Fractional laser. I use either erbium or CO2, but also have a Fraxel 1550 machine for rolling and atrophic acne scars.
• V Beam Vascular laser- this is useful following ablative laser, but also an excellent treatment for red acne scars.
• RF or eMatrix. This treatment uses radiofrequency to treat and prevent scars. Best used in early acne scars
• TCA CROSS- an excellent method of treating deep ice pick scars.
• Surgical techniques – these include punch excision, punch elevation, dermal grafting, and subscion.
• Fillers- this is one of my favoured techniques for scar revision as results are instant, and downtime minimal. Fillers are great for rolling and atrophic scars. New fillers last well over one year.

Acne scarring is one of my sub-speciality interests as new technology brings better treatments that are safe and effective. This field is constantly evolving.

Planning is the key. If you scar easily, early treatment of your surgical scar (examples include planned skin cancer surgery and c-sections) will give the best outcomes. Scarring can be reduced by-

• Following instructions given by your Specialist surgeon
• This includes pressure dressings, taping and silicone sheets
• Early V BEAM laser to the scars
• Early dilute steroid injections if the scars are lumpy.

Scar revision with injections and lasers can flatten scars and decrease redness. 3-5 sessions are needed.

The cost of scar revision will depend on many factors, most importantly the type of scar and the procedure performed. For simple scars, my clinical team @cliniccutis can assist. Treatments by my nurses are super affordable, & they use the same equipment & settings as I do. For a no obligation assessment, book with my clinical team.

For more complex scar revision, I am happy to assess. A referral from a GP is required, cost as per normal initial consult.

As a guide-

Laser resurfacing for scars $690- $4500.

Injections & or lasers for keloid scars $110- $490 out of pocket

Fillers for depressed scars & acne scars $700 – $ 1,590++ out of pocket. Depends on who is performing this procedure, amount of filler required. For straight forward filling of acne or chickenpox scars, book & appointment with my nurse injector. This is a cost saving to you. My primary work focuses on complex, severe or recalcitrant scars.

Most scar procedures conducted under a Specialist will carry a Medicare Rebate. This is based upon objective measurement & not subjective.