As it sounds, laser therapy for scars treats your scars and gives you fresh, new skin. It fixes the scars, giving you a fresh appearance. However, don’t take laser therapy as a simple skin-fixing process. It’s a complicated procedure that only professionals can perform.
In this post, you’ll learn a bit about laser therapy in Markham for scar reduction — especially for PhysioFit Health clients. You’ll also learn how it works, the types of lasers used, who’s a good candidate, what to expect in terms of pain, healing timelines, number of sessions, potential risks, aftercare, and results.
What Laser Scar Redution Actually Does
The treatment of scars with lasers focuses on two aspects: texture and color. By delivering concentrated light energy into the skin, lasers can induce controlled micro-injuries, which in turn stimulate the remodeling of collagen and the turnover of healthy skin.
Think of it as a request to your skin to rebuild more effectively: with fewer lumps, less redness or hyperpigmentation, and a better ability to integrate with the surrounding tissue.
Common Scar Types Treated
- Acne scarring (including rolling, boxcar, and ice-pick scars)
- Surgical scars and C-section scars
- Traumatic scars and burn scars
- Hypertrophic and some keloid-prone scars (often paired with steroid or vascular treatments)
How the Treatment Works (Step by Step)
Here are a few things to know about the treatment:
Consultation and skin typing: Within the context of your Fitzpatrick skin type (I–VI), your provider will analyze the scar’s depth, age, and location. There is a correlation between skin tone and the risk of pigment alteration caused by certain lasers, which can be more severe for darker skin types.
Treatment planning: The clinician selects a laser type and settings, and sets a session schedule. Many clients need a series (commonly 3–6).
Preparation: You’ll cleanse the area. A topical anesthetic may be applied for 20–40 minutes for ablative or higher-energy sessions.
Laser passes: The device delivers columns or pulses of light energy. Sessions often take 10–45 minutes, depending on the area.
Immediate aftercare: Apply cooling, protective ointments, and follow instructions to keep the barrier intact and the area sun-protected.
Types of Lasers You’ll See in Markham Clinics
Here are a few laser types you may see in Markham clinics:
Fractional CO₂ (10,600 nm, ablative)
It does this by creating microscopic channels in the skin, allowing removal of tiny columns of tissue while leaving the surrounding skin intact, which speeds up the healing process. It has a powerful ability to remodel scars that are deeper and have texture. Expect a longer period of downtime (several days of redness and crusting), although in most cases, fewer treatments are required to get discernible results.
Er: YAG (2,940 nm, ablative or micro-ablative)
This method ablates water in the skin with precision and slightly less thermal spread than CO₂. It’s a favorite for textural resurfacing when you want potency with fine control. Downtime can be modest to moderate, depending on settings.
Fractional Non-Ablative (e.g., 1,540/1,550/1,565 nm)
The tissue is heated without the surface skin being removed. It is effective for stimulating collagen with milder downtime, typically consisting of redness and warmth for 24–72 hours. Typically, additional sessions are required, but they are more convenient for individuals with busy schedules.
What It Feels Like After Getting Laser Therapy
Most people describe the sensation in the treated area as warm snaps or prickling. Pain varies by device and settings:
- Non-ablative fractional: Mild to moderate “hot, prickly” feeling; topical anesthetic is optional.
- Ablative CO₂/Er:YAG: Stronger heat and snap; clinics typically apply numbing cream and may use cooling or nerve blocks for larger areas.
- Pulsed dye/vascular: Quick rubber-band snaps; brief and tolerable.
Speak up immediately if you can’t tolerate pain. Good clinics customize breaks, numbing, and cooling. Following pre-care instructions, staying hydrated, and avoiding caffeine on the day of treatment all make a big difference.
Healing Timeline
Here are a few things to know about the healing timeline:
Immediately to 24 hours: Redness and warmth are common. With ablative treatments, pinpoint bleeding or oozing can occur for several hours. You’ll apply occlusive ointments as instructed.
Days 2–4: Redness softens; with ablative passes, micro-crusting or bronzing appears. Do not pick—let it naturally shed.
Days 5–7: The surface looks calmer, and you can often return to light makeup once the skin is fully closed (your clinician will confirm).
Weeks 2–6: Collagen remodeling ramps up. Texture, tone, and color gradually improve. Final results take time; many clients notice the biggest gains at 2–3 months post-series.
Sun exposure can compromise results or trigger pigmentation. Diligent SPF 30+ (broad-spectrum, generously applied) is non-negotiable for 4–8 weeks and ideally ongoing.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
Most scars need a series. As a ballpark:
- Non-ablative fractional: 3–6 sessions, 3–6 weeks apart
- Ablative fractional (CO₂/Er:YAG): 1–3 higher-energy sessions, 8–12 weeks apart
- Vascular/pulsed dye for redness: 2–4 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart
Old, deep, or widespread scars may need more sessions. Fresh post-surgical scars respond well when started early (once cleared by your surgeon), especially with vascular lasers to curb redness and thickness.
Safety, Side Effects, and Skin Tone Considerations
Common, temporary effects include redness, swelling, mild crusting, and dryness. Less common risks: prolonged redness, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), hypopigmentation, infection, or scarring—usually linked to aggressive settings, poor aftercare, or sun exposure.
For darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI), non-ablative fractional and conservative settings are preferred to reduce pigment risks. Some clinics pre-treat with pigment-stabilizing topicals and extend post-care to limit PIH.
Who Should Delay or Avoid Treatment
- Active acne, dermatitis, or open wounds in the area
- Recent suntan or sunburn
- Isotretinoin use within the last 6–12 months (clinic-specific policy)
- Pregnancy or photosensitizing medications (discuss with your provider)
- History of keloids (you may still be a candidate with a cautious, combined protocol)
Pre-Care and Aftercare That Protect Your Results
Two weeks prior to treatment: Don’t spend too much time in the sun, and stop using harsh actives like retinoids and strong acids unless your doctor tells you to. Begin a simple, gentle routine.
Date of treatment: Come with clean skin. Don’t wear makeup or perfume. If you’re going to do a high-energy ablative session on your face, make sure you have a ride.
After treatment:
- Use only the cleanser, balm, and moisturizer recommended by your provider.
- Keep the barrier sealed and hydrated; don’t pick or scrub.
- Strict sun avoidance and SPF 30+ every morning (reapply if outdoors).
- Avoid hot yoga, saunas, pools, and intense workouts for 48–72 hours or as directed.
How Much Improvement Is Realistic?
Results vary, but many clients see visible softening of edges, smoother texture, less shadowing in atrophic acne scars, and better color matching. Expect incremental improvement after each session, with the final outcome becoming clear 8–12 weeks after your last visit.
For very deep ice-pick or tethered scars, a combination plan often delivers the best transformation. Good clinics in Markham will tell you this upfront and map a phased plan.
The Bottom Line
Laser therapy offers a proven path to softer, less noticeable scars with manageable downtime. The best results come from a tailored plan that considers your scar type, skin tone, lifestyle, and tolerance for recovery.
In Markham, you’ll find clinics equipped with fractional and vascular technologies, combination protocols, and supportive aftercare—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
FAQs
1) Is laser scar treatment painful?
Most clients describe heat and quick snaps. Non-ablative sessions are mildly uncomfortable; ablative fractional treatments feel stronger but are managed with numbing cream, cooling, and short treatment times. Your provider can adjust settings to your comfort.
2) How long does healing take after each session?
Redness and warmth are common for 24–72 hours. With ablative lasers, expect several days of crusting or bronzing. Most people feel presentable within 5–7 days; collagen remodeling—and your visible improvement—builds over 8–12 weeks.
3) How many sessions will I need for acne scars?
Plan for 3–6 sessions for non-ablative fractional treatments and 1–3 higher-energy ablative sessions for deeper texture change. Combination therapy with subcision, microneedling RF, or CROSS can further improve ice-pick or tethered scars.
4) Is laser safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, with the right device, conservative settings, and strict sun protection. Non-ablative fractional and vascular lasers are often preferred initially. An experienced provider will screen for PIH risk and tailor pre- and post-care.
5) Does laser therapy completely remove scars?
No, but it dramatically fades them, often by 70–90%, making them blend seamlessly. Recent advancements, such as picosecond lasers, enhance this without full erasure.
