The wound has healed, but you're still very aware of the scar. It might look uneven in photographs, feel firm under your fingers or show whenever you wear a particular top.
CO2 laser can improve the texture and appearance of suitable scars by encouraging the tissue to remodel. At SONÜ, Dr Alex uses the SmartXide CO2 laser, choosing the treatment around the scar you have and what you'd most like to change.
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With Dr Alex, whose CO2 laser work won Best SmartXide Transformation at the Lynton Excellence Awards 2023.
What you might be noticing
Healed, but still catching your eye
A scar doesn't have to be large to bother you. Sometimes it's one small area that looks or feels different from the skin around it.
A line left by an operation
An old injury that still shows
A scar you think about when getting dressed
At a glance
The practical details
Dr Alex will assess the scar before recommending a treatment strength, recovery plan or course.
The change to look for
A scar that blends in better
A smoother surface and softer scar tissue can make a scar less obvious, even when it hasn't disappeared. The aim is to reduce the contrast between the scar and the skin around it.
Different scars need different goals. A sunken or indented (atrophic) scar may benefit from a more even surface; a suitable raised (hypertrophic) scar may become softer and flatter. Dr Alex will explain which changes CO2 could address in your case.
The improvement develops as the tissue heals and remodels. It is worth judging the result over the following months, rather than expecting the finished change as soon as the redness settles.
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Is it right for you?
What kind of scar are you hoping to improve?
The shape, depth, colour and feel of a scar all help decide whether CO2 is the right treatment.
Knowing the limits
Improvement rather than complete scar removal
CO2 cannot turn scar tissue back into untouched skin. A wide scar, a deep attachment underneath it or a growing keloid may need a different treatment or specialist assessment. Dr Alex will explain when laser alone is unlikely to achieve the change you want.
How it works
Helping scar tissue remodel
Fractional CO2 makes tiny treatment points in the scar, prompting repair and changes in the collagen that gives the tissue its structure.
Small areas of skin between those points are left untreated to help healing. Dr Alex uses the DEKA SmartXide Punto and adjusts the depth and coverage for the scar and the area. The treatment focuses on the scar being assessed; it doesn't automatically mean resurfacing your whole face or a large area of the body.
Your appointment
From examining the scar to reviewing the change
Bring the details of any operation or injury, when it happened and anything you've already tried on the scar.
Look at the scar and your goal
Prepare the area
Treat the agreed scar
Let the skin heal, then assess the result
Why Dr Alex
Why choose Dr Alex for CO2 scar treatment?
Dr Alex has presented and demonstrated CO2 treatment internationally and won Best SmartXide Transformation at the Lynton Excellence Awards 2023 for his CO2 work.
For a scar, the first decision is what actually needs to change. A firm raised area, a shallow dip and a flat red mark shouldn't all be given the same plan. He'll explain the role laser could play, the recovery involved and whether another approach would offer more.
GMC-registered doctor · 7072776
Full Member of BCAM
International toxin trainer
Aesthetics Awards winner 2021
Safety and aftercare
Looking after the treated skin
Redness, tenderness, swelling and crusting can follow treatment. The treated patch needs care while the surface heals, even if the rest of your skin feels normal.
Possible side effects
Possible complications include infection, burns, prolonged redness, darker or lighter patches, delayed healing and additional scarring. Tell Dr Alex about any previous difficulty healing or tendency to develop raised scars.
When to get urgent help
Contact the clinic promptly for worsening pain, spreading redness, blisters, pus, fever or an area that is breaking down rather than healing. If you cannot reach the clinic, seek urgent advice through NHS 111. Eye pain or a change in vision needs immediate assessment at an eye emergency service or A&E.
When treatment may need to wait
An open wound, infection, recent tan or an unexplained changing area needs attention before cosmetic laser treatment. Tell Dr Alex about your medication, including isotretinoin, cold sores, pregnancy or breastfeeding and any recent surgery. Don't stop prescribed medication yourself.
You'll receive aftercare instructions and advice on contacting the clinic if you have concerns.
Treatment costs
CO2 scar treatment prices
Scar treatment is £150 per session, with the area to be treated agreed at consultation.
Your questions
More about laser treatment for scars
Answers to the questions that help you decide whether to have your scar assessed.
Can CO2 laser remove a scar completely?
Can it help an old scar?
How soon after an operation can I have laser?
Can it treat raised scars or keloids?
Will it improve the redness or colour?
How many sessions will I need?
How much downtime should I allow?
Does laser scar treatment hurt?
Can I have treatment on darker skin?
Can CO2 laser help both raised and indented scars?
Other options
The right treatment for the mark you have
CO2 treatment for acne scars has a separate page. SkinPen microneedling may be considered for certain types of scars, while raised scars or persistent colour changes may need a different approach after assessment.
Your next step
Find out what could improve your scar
Book a £75 laser consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. He'll examine the scar, listen to what bothers you most and explain the likely improvement, recovery and cost of a suitable plan.
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics
34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX
Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic
Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire