Scars & scar revision

Treatments for acne, surgical and injury scars, raised or depressed.

Cosmetic care needs no referral. Medical treatment needs a referral from your doctor or nurse practitioner.

Many of life’s moments leave a mark: some we can’t see, and others we’d rather live without. Through an innovative menu of proven procedures, we help patients reduce or erase the memory of acne, surgery or trauma, smoothing raised scars, restoring depressed marks and evening out irregular discolouration.

How scars form

Scars typically result from a wound or injury and are part of the skin’s normal healing process. Your skin reacts to trauma by building scars made of fibrous tissue. This tissue is not the same as normal, healthy skin, so a scar can look discoloured or colourless, raised or indented. Superficial wounds typically heal without scarring; scars form when the second layer of skin, the dermis, is damaged.

Scarring can result from practically anything that harms your skin, including chicken pox, lacerations, acne, sports injuries, tattoos, burns, trauma, accidents, piercings, vaccinations, bites and surgery. Facial scarring is usually the result of cystic acne, burns, surgery or aggressive chicken pox.

Abnormal scars can be raised, thick, depressed, uneven, vascular, darker (hyperpigmented) or paler (hypopigmented) than the skin around them, which is what makes them stand out against the neighbouring normal skin. A scarred face can have a severe psychological effect: for men and women alike, facial scarring can be a source of low self-esteem and can leave you feeling self-conscious and socially shut down. A scar will never totally disappear, but many methods available today can greatly minimize its appearance.

The three basic types of scars

Atrophic scars

Typically the result of acne, atrophic scars are concave, dipping lower than the surface of the skin. Their depth can vary, and there are several scar revision options to treat them.

Hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars are convex and bulge upward from the skin’s surface. They are caused by the body’s overproduction of collagen and can take on a red, raised appearance.

Keloid scars

Keloid scars are also convex and raised. They can continue to grow beyond the original area of injury and carry a bigger threat of becoming overgrown.

Types of acne scars

Acne scars come in many different shapes, sizes and colours, and each type has its own characteristics. Because of those differences, the available treatments are not one size fits all and should be tailored to you. Read more about acne scarring.

Icepick scars: thin but deep columns of missing skin tissue. Commonly arising from severe acne, they usually appear on the cheek or nose.
Boxcar scars: round or oval depressions with steep vertical sides. Wider than icepick scars, they give the skin a pitted appearance.
Rolling scars: relatively broad depressions in the skin with rounded, sloping edges.
Depressed fibrotic scars: if icepick scars are aggravated, they can transform into large, hard, crater-like scars.
Soft scars: generally small, varying in depth and shape.
Macules: flat pigmented patches, typically the end result of severe acne, that appear and persist after the original inflammation.
Atrophic macules: soft and sometimes blue or white. These can appear on the body as well as the face.
Follicular macular atrophy: small, raised, generally white bumps, usually seen on the chest or back.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: appears anywhere on the body and varies in size. It is often caused by hormonal changes and/or acne inflammation.

Our scar treatments

At Rao Dermatology in Edmonton, we offer both laser and dermal filler treatments that treat all types of scars, from superficial scars to deeper, more noticeable ones. Depending on the size and location of your scar, we draw on our medical spa services as well as laser treatments, and every treatment plan is customized to your needs.

Laser treatments

We offer a variety of laser treatments that can enhance the look of scars, including IPL, Laser Genesis, Nano Laser Peel and Sciton ProFractional. Our lasers offer a degree of control and efficacy that allows highly precise sculpting of the skin. They can target superficial to deep scar tissue and are ideal for patients who want dramatic results with minimal downtime.

Fractional laser resurfacing

Sciton ProFractional™ is designed to rejuvenate your complexion and treat a variety of conditions related to your skin’s quality. The laser makes microscopic perforations in the tissue, which stimulate your body’s natural healing process; new collagen begins to grow, which can cause a tightening effect. Unlike other laser resurfacing, ProFractional™ treats only the small area being targeted, so problem areas can be corrected without a long recovery period.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are injectables that use natural or synthetic hyaluronic acid to plump up your skin, creating volume and fullness. They are a powerful way to treat, and potentially get rid of, certain types of scars, and are particularly effective for rolling scars and some less-defined boxcar scars. Safe and well tolerated, they fill the depression associated with scars and are excellent for volume loss caused by acne scarring. Results are instantaneous and long-lasting (three months to two years), and we often combine fillers with neuromodulators, since each has different strengths.

Chemical peels

Our customized, medical-grade chemical peels are advanced, non-surgical SkinCeuticals treatments. Without downtime, they exfoliate and stimulate the skin to improve hyperpigmentation, acne, fine lines and wrinkles, and many other concerns, leaving a smoother, more radiant glow.

Medical facials and skin treatments

Medical facials are a great way to maintain your skin and treat acne scarring. They are affordable, milder treatments that still make a difference when done routinely. Microdermabrasion, chemical peels or dermal infusion boost the skin’s cell turnover to reduce scarring on the surface of the skin.

Daily skin care at home

We believe a proper skincare regimen is essential for healthy, youthful skin, and every regimen should address three core steps: prevent, treat and maintain. To treat skin imperfections and scarring, a custom home program tailored to your skin acts as a continuation of our office treatments.

Book your scar treatment consultation

We work closely with patients to determine the best course of treatment for their unique needs. If scars are affecting your self-esteem, book a consultation to learn about the many treatment options that can help you achieve the beautiful, glowing skin you desire.

Book a consultation
Before and after gallery

Medical scar concerns need a referral. Cosmetic scar treatment doesn’t need a referral, but in Alberta a medical skin problem, such as a keloid or hypertrophic scar you want assessed medically, must be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner. How referrals work