Scarring can significantly impact your skin’s appearance, leaving your skin uneven and textured, even when the underlying skin is healthy. For many, scars affect not only their physical appearance but their psychological health. The presence of scars may be painful reminders of past injuries, acne, or surgical procedures. Whether you suffer from acne scars, surgical scars, or keloids, Phoenix MedSpa in Hollywood, FL offers innovative and effective treatments designed to help you regain your smooth and radiant skin.
Dr. Julie Morales specializes in scar treatments for all skin types, focusing on those with skin of color and complex concerns such as hyperpigmentation or melasma. Various types of scars, such as hypertrophic, keloid, or atrophic, can all present unique challenges for treatment for those who wish to minimize their appearance.
At Phoenix MedSpa, we also prioritize your experience when you visit us. We offer personalized attention and focus on providing a warm and welcoming environment. Our treatments are evidence-based with solid safety ratings behind them. Dr. Morales’ expertise in scar reduction and removal and our commitment to personalized care sets Phoenix MedSpa as an oasis to those in the Hollywood, FL area.
Scarring is a natural occurrence when the skin undergoes a repair process following an injury. While scars do not always form after an injury, they are commonly a result of trauma like cuts, burns, surgery, or severe acne. When the deeper layers of the skin are affected, the body generates collagen fibers to repair the damage. The formation of scars can be influenced by the amount of collagen produced, with excessive or insufficient collagen leading to the development of a scar.
Scarring goes deeper than the skin, affecting confidence and self-assurance. We understand that for individuals who have suffered from severe acne, surgeries, or injuries, finding a scar reduction or removal treatment may seem like it’s too good to be true. Our treatments at Phoenix MedSpa impact not only the appearance of your skin but also your emotional well-being. When you feel confident in your skin, you positively impact your personal and professional life.
The two types of scar removal treatments that we offer at Phoenix MedSpa are chemical peels and microneedling. While there are numerous other treatments available, such as over-the-counter or prescription creams, ointments, or gels, steroid injections, and surgery. We focus on chemical peels and microneedling as these treatments are effective, provide other skin-loving benefits, and at most are minimally invasive.
Chemical peels are a scar removal technique that involves applying a chemical solution to the skin. This solution chemically exfoliates the outer layers while allowing deeper, healthier skin to emerge. Peels differ in their strength and composition, making them well-suited for addressing various types of scars and skin issues while taking into consideration individual skin types.
Chemical peels work by removing the damaged outer layer of the skin along with dead skin cells. This stimulates the growth of new skin cells and collagen and promotes a smoother and more even skin texture. By removing damaged layers, this scar treatment can resolve acne scars, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, surgical marks, and more.
Chemical peels are relatively inexpensive and are effective at scar reduction and removal.
Preparing For Treatment
During your consultation, Dr. Morales will ask all pertinent questions needed for the treatment and will examine the anticipated treatment area. Once your treatment has been scheduled, following these tips can help improve your results and reduce the risk of side effects:
During Treatment
The treatment begins with freshly cleansed skin, and then the chemical peel solution is applied. It is normal to experience a burning sensation that lasts between 5 and 10 minutes, followed by a stinging sensation. A cool compress is often applied to help with the discomfort.
Recovery After Treatment
Chemical peels are a process, so be patient with your skin as it heals. Expect the treatment area to be similar to a sunburn. Depending on the depth of the peel, your side effects will differ in duration. Other than avoiding direct sun exposure during healing and applying SPF daily, you can expect:
Microneedling is a scar reduction technique that uses a device called MDerma by Dermapen®. This device creates tiny microchannels on the skin’s surface, encouraging the body to heal the area more effectively. These microchannels are essentially micro-injuries created by a tiny needle used on areas of damaged skin or across a larger area for more comprehensive healing.
When the microneedling device creates the tiny microchannels or micro-injuries, it causes your body to initiate a controlled inflammatory response as part of the natural healing process. This response increases blood flow to the area and signals the body to produce more collagen and elastin, which are two essential proteins necessary for strong and elastic skin. Over time, the texture of the skin improves as more of these protein fibers are formed to replace the damaged and scarred tissues.
For surgical scars specifically, it is recommended to have microneedling done earlier, such as within 6 to 7 weeks, to maximize improvement in scar appearance. For atrophic acne scars, a study found that collagen production significantly increased after multiple treatment sessions, resulting in overall acne scar improvement and patient satisfaction.
Microneedling is truly a one stop shop as it is safe for all skin types and tones and can treat numerous skin care conditions in addition to scars. These include reducing fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, stretch marks, and overall skin texture.
Preparing For Treatment
Preparing for your microneedling session is relatively simple. It is best to avoid direct sunlight for at least 24 hours before your appointment, as well as avoiding harsher skincare products, such as retinoids and those that are acid-based for one week.
During Treatment
During your microneedling session, the MDerma device is placed on the skin, where the needles puncture the skin at precise depths. Once this small area is treated, the device will be moved to the next section of skin, where the process will be repeated. This is done until the entire area has been treated. Right after your treatment, it is normal to have some redness as your body begins responding to the treatment.
Recovery After Treatment
Microneedling does create tiny wounds on the face, so it’s important to treat your skin like after you would any other wound. You may experience mild redness and swelling, but this usually subsides within a few hours to a day. For the next 24 hours, avoid the sun, hot showers, saunas, intense exercise, and makeup.
Most patients need at least three microneedling sessions to see the results they are looking for. For chemical peels, the number of scar revision sessions is determined by the depth of the peel. We will recommend a treatment plan and then will assess your progress after each to help you get the best outcomes.
Scar removal treatments can cause mild discomfort, but most patients tolerate them well. Microneedling can be accompanied by a stinging, scratching, or tingling sensation as the needles penetrate the skin. Chemical peels can come with warmth or stinging. We can use numbing cream before many treatments to limit sensation.
You may start to see improvements a few weeks after your scar treatment, as your skin begins to heal and regenerate. However, optimal results typically appear several months after your last treatment. Patience is key, as the skin needs time to fully respond to the treatment. Continued care can help maintain these results.
Yes, many scar removal treatments are suitable for dark skin. We have extensive experience in treating scars and other concerns on darker skin tones, and we know how to minimize pigmentation changes. Our methods aim to provide the best scar treatment for each patient while preserving the natural beauty of your skin.
The cost of scar reduction and removal depends on multiple factors, such as which treatment is recommended and how severe the scars are, requiring multiple treatments. During your consultation, we will discuss Dr. Morales’ treatment plan, which is completely customized for your skin type, tone, and aesthetic needs. Contact us to learn more!
Effective scar removal can improve your skin’s appearance and give it a smoother and more even texture. At Phoenix Medspa in Lutz, FL, we offer scar removal treatments for all skin types. To learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation, contact us online or at (813) 776-1779.
