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info@scarsandlasers.co.nz
15 Green Lane East, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand
Monday - Friday: 7:45 am - 5:00 pm
Surgical scars are the marks left on the skin after a surgical procedure. These scars vary in size and appearance depending on the type of surgery, location, and the patient’s healing process. While all surgical scars fade over time, some may remain raised, discoloured, or noticeable. Various treatments can help reduce the visibility of surgical scars, improving the overall skin appearance.
Surgical scars form as the body heals after a surgical incision or trauma. The healing process involves the production of collagen, which helps to repair the wound. However, in some cases, excess collagen can lead to hypertrophic or keloid scars, which appear raised and may be more difficult to treat. Factors such as genetics, skin type, and the location of the scar can influence how a surgical scar heals and its long-term appearance.
(Available on Excel V and Excel V Plus)
Best for
Mild cases or isolated vessels.
How It Works
The long-pulse Nd:YAG laser emits energy at a wavelength absorbed by haemoglobin in blood vessels. This heat causes the targeted vessels to collapse, effectively treating both surface red veins and deeper blue veins.
Results
Treated vessels may disappear immediately or gradually fade over several weeks.
(Candela VBeam Perfecta, Excel V, Excel V Plus, Sciton BBL)
Best for
Stimulating collagen and vascular remodelling to reduce persistent skin redness.
How It Works
Often recommended in combination with vascular laser or BBL treatments to enhance skin healing, texture, and redness reduction.
(Candela VBeam Perfecta, Excel V, Excel V Plus, Sciton BBL)
Best for
More severe cases or large areas of visible facial veins and redness, particularly in rosacea.
How It Works
This approach layers multiple vascular-targeting technologies in one session, including:
Results
Effectively reduces visible veins, diffuse redness, and facial flushing commonly seen in rosacea.
For surgical scars, treatment is tailored to what stands out most—thickness, redness, or texture—so the scar blends more naturally with surrounding skin. Intralesional steroid/anti-metabolite injections may be used early for scars that are raised, firm, or becoming thickened, while V Beam Pulse Dye Laser can help settle persistent redness. Acclaro UltraClear is often used to refine texture and support collagen remodelling, improving overall smoothness and blending over a series of sessions.
While lasers cannot completely remove surgical scars, they can significantly reduce their appearance by flattening raised scars and improving pigmentation.
The number of sessions varies, but most patients require 3-5 sessions spaced several weeks apart for noticeable improvement.
Most laser treatments for surgical scars cause little to no discomfort. In most cases, a topical anaesthetic is sufficient; however, local anaesthesia may be injected if needed. After treatment, patients typically experience only mild redness or swelling.
Scar treatments can typically begin 2–4 weeks after surgery, once the wound has fully healed. The earlier the intervention, the better the results. Older scars can still benefit from treatment.
When lasers aren’t suitable, surgical scars can still be improved with several alternatives:
These options are tailored based on whether a scar is raised, widened, indented, inflamed, or textured.
Surgical scars commonly start off red or pink, slightly raised, and firmer than surrounding skin—this is normal in early healing. Over time, many scars fade and soften, but some may remain raised (hypertrophic), sunken or indented (atrophic) due to tissue loss, or show colour changes, appearing either darker (hyperpigmented) or lighter (hypopigmented). Some scars also have a strong vascular component, staying red longer than expected.
Raised or thickened scars occur when the body produces excess collagen, resulting in hypertrophic or, less commonly, keloid scars. Indented scars may develop if deeper tissue was removed or if the scar becomes tethered to underlying structures, creating a pulling sensation or restricted movement. These changes affect the scar’s contour and may make it appear elevated, depressed, or tight.
Yes. During healing, scars may feel itchy, sensitive, or cause pins and needles, burning, or shooting pain—often due to nerve regeneration. Some scars remain symptomatic, especially if they are raised, tight, or tethered. While many sensations improve as the scar matures, persistent discomfort can be treated with targeted scar management.
ACC funding eligibility is determined by the Accident Compensation Corporation on a case-by-case basis. Approval is dependent on injury acceptance, clinical indication, and ACC policy at the time of application. Not all treatments offered at Scars & Lasers are ACC-funded. Private fees may apply for unfunded components of care.
