The purpose of this information is to outline the service we provide for laser scar treatment. Sometimes, scars on the skin can become tight, red and lumpy and can affect joint movement. Your consultant has recommended that your scars may benefit from fractional CO2 laser treatment.
A course of treatment is usually required to help your symptoms. It is not always possible to predict exactly how many treatments will be required but a course is usually between three and six laser sessions, though some patients may require more. The interval between treatments is six to eight weeks.
Consultation
At your appointment, your consultant will assess your suitability. All aspects of laser scar treatment will be discussed, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have. Small areas can be treated under local anaesthetic. Children and adults with larger areas of scar will usually have a general anaesthetic. Your Consultant will discuss this with you at your appointment.
Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment
The CO2 laser creates microscopic holes in your scar, which help them to mature and can improve feelings of tightness. Fractional laser can also make scars softer / flatter and help with pain and itch.
If you are having the treatment under local anaesthetic, an anaesthetic cream will be applied to your scars for one hour before the laser session. Before the procedure, the cream will be removed. If you are having the treatment under general or block anaesthetic, your anaesthetist will meet you beforehand and discuss this in detail.
A member of the laser team will perform your treatment. You will be given laser eye protection goggles to wear. The laser treatment is not usually painful however you may find it uncomfortable. Once complete, a cool pack will be applied to your skin, which helps relieve any discomfort. Steroid ointment will be applied to your treated scar together with a non-adhesive dressing. Subsequent treatments will be six to eight weeks apart. This will be arranged by the receptionist in the laser unit.
There are very few risks associated with this type of laser treatment. Potential side effects include redness, swelling, blistering, scabbing, colour changes to the skin and scarring. Blistering, permanent scarring and skin colour changes are all rare. Any redness or swelling usually subsides within 24 hours.
Aftercare Instructions
The local anaesthetic effect will wear off after a few hours. You may find the area sore after treatment, but simple painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to help with the discomfort. If you have a general or a block anaesthetic, your anaesthetist may recommend you stay overnight and go home the following day.
Please keep the dressings clean and dry. You can remove the dressings yourself at home 2 days after your laser treatment. The area can then be showered as normal.
You will be given a tube of 1% hydrocortisone ointment, which contains a steroid. Once you have removed the dressings, apply a small amount of the ointment to the treated area(s) twice a day. Please do this for two weeks only.
If you are using pressure garments, you can restart wearing these after the dressings have been removed. Please keep the treated area(s) protected from the sun, covering them and using a high factor sunscreen. Please avoid swimming for two weeks.
For Further Information
Mr Christopher Lewis – Consultant Burn Surgeon
Susan Richardson / Pasqua Fitzgibbon – Laser Nurse Practitioners
Telephone 0191 282 9732 for clinical support or patients who need to speak to a nurse.
To book an appointment please call 0191 282 0599 or Email nuth.laser@nhs.net
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS services.
You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02, e-mail northoftynepals@nhct.nhs.uk or text to 07815500015.
