Is Laser Resurfacing for Scars Painful?

Patients tend to find laser resurfacing very tolerable, especially when a topical numbing cream is applied prior to treatment. During the procedure, sensations are commonly described as warmth, tingling, or brief snapping against the skin. The intensity depends on the depth of treatment being performed. After the session, the skin may feel similar to a moderate sunburn for several days, but proper post-care, including cooling measures and soothing products, significantly enhances comfort during recovery.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of sessions required depends on the type, depth, and age of your scars. Superficial pigmentation-related scars may improve after fewer treatments, while deeper acne scars or surgical scars typically require a series of 3–5 sessions spaced several weeks apart. Because collagen remodeling is gradual, spacing treatments allows the skin time to heal and rebuild between sessions.

How Long Until I See Results?

Some improvement in tone and texture may be visible once the initial redness resolves and the skin enters its early healing phase, usually within a few weeks. However, the most meaningful improvements occur gradually over time, as collagen production increases steadily for approximately 3–6 months after treatment. During this period, scars continue to soften and flatten, and overall skin texture becomes smoother.

Can I Combine Laser Resurfacing for Scars with Other Procedures?

Yes, depending on your goals, Dr. Moy may recommend combining resurfacing with microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or injectables to address volume loss or pigmentation. Combination therapy is carefully timed to protect healing and maximize outcomes. In some cases, treatments are performed sequentially over several months rather than simultaneously.

What Are the Risks Associated with Laser Resurfacing for Scars?

When performed by an experienced, board-certified specialist, laser resurfacing is generally safe and effective. However, as with any aesthetic procedure, there are potential risks. These may include temporary redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation (darkening), hypopigmentation (lightening), infection, or rarely, unintended scarring. The risk of complications is significantly reduced through proper patient selection, appropriate laser settings, and strict adherence to post-treatment care, particularly sun protection.

Beverly Hills, Ca

Laser Resurfacing for Scars

Introduction

Introduction to Laser Resurfacing for Scars

Scars can linger long after the moment that caused them has passed, whether from acne, surgery, injury, or inflammation. As a result, textured or discolored scars can disrupt the smooth, even skin canvas and subtly affect confidence and skin quality over time. While makeup and skincare may soften their appearance, deeper textural irregularities often require more intense intervention to improve meaningfully.

Laser resurfacing for scars is a precision-based treatment that remodels damaged skin and stimulates collagen production beneath the surface. At Moy MD in Beverly Hills, Torrance, and the greater Los Angeles area, laser technology is used thoughtfully and strategically to refine scar texture, improve tone, and restore smoother, more uniform skin.

What is Laser Resurfacing for Scars?

Laser resurfacing for scars is a non-surgical treatment that uses concentrated light energy to target damaged or uneven skin. Depending on the type of scar and skin tone, Dr. Moy may recommend ablative or non-ablative laser technology, including fractional lasers that create microscopic treatment zones within the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact for faster healing.

The laser works by gently removing damaged surface layers and stimulating collagen remodeling deep within the dermis. Over time, this process softens raised scars, improves depressed scars, reduces discoloration, and refines overall texture. Because scars vary in depth, age, and cause, treatment is highly customized to each patient’s unique skin characteristics and aesthetic goals.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Laser Resurfacing for Scars?

Individuals who are bothered by visible scarring and seeking non-surgical improvement in the greater Los Angeles area are great candidates for working with Dr. Moy and our team. Laser resurfacing can address acne scars, surgical scars, traumatic scars, and certain stretch marks, depending on their characteristics.

The best candidates typically:

Are in good overall health
Have realistic expectations
Are not actively experiencing severe acne outbreaks
Are you willing to follow post-treatment care instructions
Understand that multiple sessions may be needed for optimal improvement

What Are the Benefits of Laser Resurfacing for Scars?

Laser resurfacing offers both cosmetic and structural improvements to the skin, as one of its greatest advantages is its ability to stimulate long-term collagen remodeling, meaning results continue to improve in the months following treatment.

Benefits may include:

Smoother skin texture
Reduction in acne scars and surgical scars
Softening of raised or hypertrophic scars
Improvement in depressed or atrophic scars
Reduction of redness and pigmentation irregularities
More even overall skin tone
Minimal downtime compared to surgical scar revision

Beyond visible improvement, many patients report renewed confidence as scars become less noticeable and skin appears healthier.

A vertical close-up of a woman with clear, radiant skin resting her head on her arm. She is looking into the camera with a soft, neutral expression. - Laser Resurfacing for Scars in California.

What’s the First Step?

Since there are different options for treating scars with laser resurfacing, your best first step is a consultation at Moy MD in the greater Los Angeles area. This appointment is far more than a quick evaluation. Rather, it’s a detailed skin analysis to determine the safest and most effective treatment strategy for your unique skin type, scar depth, pigmentation, and overall aesthetic goals.

Dr. Moy will review your medical history, past skincare treatments, prior procedures, and any history of pigmentation concerns or sensitivity. You will also discuss realistic expectations, timeline for improvement, and how many sessions may be required for meaningful correction.

If you are a candidate, you will receive customized pre-treatment instructions. The goal is to prepare your skin properly so treatment is both safe and effective.

What to Expect on the Day of Laser Resurfacing for Scars

On the day of your procedure at one of the greater Los Angeles area offices, your skin will be cleansed to remove oil, makeup, and debris, and a topical anesthetic cream will be applied. For more intensive resurfacing sessions, additional comfort measures may be discussed.

Once the skin is numb, Dr. Moy will pass the laser device methodically over the targeted areas, where the sensation is often described as warmth combined with light snapping or tingling. The intensity varies depending on the depth of treatment and the area being addressed.

Treatment time ranges from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the size and severity of the scars. A soothing post-treatment serum or barrier ointment is applied before you leave the office, and you will receive detailed aftercare instructions tailored to your treatment.

Dr. Lauren Moy, MD, FAAD, wearing black scrubs, a surgical mask, and a green hair net, looking down while performing a precise dermatological procedure.

An abstract, high-key background featuring soft, flowing white fabric or paper with subtle shadows, creating a clean and airy aesthetic.

Laser Resurfacing for Scars Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Laser Resurfacing for Scars Care

Recovery varies depending on whether a non-ablative or ablative laser was used and on the intensity of the session. Mild resurfacing may involve redness and light swelling for several days, while deeper resurfacing can require approximately 5–10 days of visible healing.

In the first few days, patients may experience:

Redness and warmth
Mild swelling
A tight or dry sensation
Temporary darkening or bronzing of treated areas
Light flaking or peeling as the skin renews

It is critical to follow all post-treatment instructions carefully. This includes gentle cleansing, liberal moisturizing, avoiding harsh skincare products, and strict sun protection. Sunscreen becomes non-negotiable during the healing phase, as newly resurfaced skin is more sensitive to UV exposure and pigmentation shifts.

How Much Does Laser Resurfacing for Scars Cost in Beverly Hills & Torrance, CA?

The cost of laser resurfacing for scars in Beverly Hills, Torrance, and the greater Los Angeles area depends on several important factors, including:

The size of the treatment area
The depth and severity of the scars
The type of laser technology used
The number of sessions required
Whether combination therapies are incorporated

Because scar revision often requires a series of treatments for optimal results, the total investment varies, which is why you will receive a customized treatment plan and a detailed pricing breakdown based on your individual needs.

Why Choose Dr. Moy?

Dr. Lauren Moy, a Los Angeles native, is a triple board-certified cosmetic and facial plastic surgeon who serves patients in Beverly Hills and Torrance with a sophisticated, patient-centered approach. Raised in a family devoted to medicine, she trained alongside her father, Dr. Ronald Moy, gaining early exposure to the discipline and integrity that define exceptional surgical care. While she proudly carries forward this legacy, Dr. Moy has cultivated a distinct identity rooted in innovation, academic excellence, and an artist’s eye for refined facial aesthetics.

Board-certified in both dermatology and facial cosmetic surgery, Dr. Moy has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and completed advanced fellowship-level training in Mohs micrographic surgery and cosmetic procedures. She earned her medical degree through a combined undergraduate and medical program at Siena College and Albany Medical College, conducted dermatologic research at Harbor-UCLA and USC, and later served as chief resident at Loyola University Medical Center. Her academic rigor and leadership reflect a deep commitment to advancing the field while delivering thoughtful, precise results for every patient she treats.

Laser Resurfacing for Scars FAQ’S

Patients tend to find laser resurfacing very tolerable, especially when a topical numbing cream is applied prior to treatment. During the procedure, sensations are commonly described as warmth, tingling, or brief snapping against the skin. The intensity depends on the depth of treatment being performed.

After the session, the skin may feel similar to a moderate sunburn for several days, but proper post-care, including cooling measures and soothing products, significantly enhances comfort during recovery.
The number of sessions required depends on the type, depth, and age of your scars. Superficial pigmentation-related scars may improve after fewer treatments, while deeper acne scars or surgical scars typically require a series of 3–5 sessions spaced several weeks apart. Because collagen remodeling is gradual, spacing treatments allows the skin time to heal and rebuild between sessions.
Some improvement in tone and texture may be visible once the initial redness resolves and the skin enters its early healing phase, usually within a few weeks. However, the most meaningful improvements occur gradually over time, as collagen production increases steadily for approximately 3–6 months after treatment. During this period, scars continue to soften and flatten, and overall skin texture becomes smoother.
Yes, depending on your goals, Dr. Moy may recommend combining resurfacing with microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or injectables to address volume loss or pigmentation. Combination therapy is carefully timed to protect healing and maximize outcomes. In some cases, treatments are performed sequentially over several months rather than simultaneously.
When performed by an experienced, board-certified specialist, laser resurfacing is generally safe and effective. However, as with any aesthetic procedure, there are potential risks. These may include temporary redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation (darkening), hypopigmentation (lightening), infection, or rarely, unintended scarring. The risk of complications is significantly reduced through proper patient selection, appropriate laser settings, and strict adherence to post-treatment care, particularly sun protection.

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