Search
Key Takeaways
- The national average cost of laser skin resurfacing for scar removal can range from $1,212 to $4,203, depending on the type of treatment, number of scars, your location and other factors.
- Laser scar removal uses focused beams of light to make scars less noticeable, and it can also reduce the itching and pain a scar may cause.
- The CareCredit credit card can help you finance laser scar removal and pay over time with convenient monthly payments.*
Are you tired of living with unsightly scars? Good news: You may not have to. Lasers (an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation") can treat scars safely and effectively.1 In fact, studies have shown that laser scar removal, or laser therapy, can minimize the appearance and thickness of scars.2
What Is Laser Scar Removal?
Simply put, laser scar removal treatment is a form of laser therapy that uses focused beams of light to treat damaged areas on the body. This type of laser treatment, also called laser skin resurfacing, is designed to reduce the appearance of scars, but can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles, tighten skin and even out skin coloring.3
The benefits aren’t just cosmetic. Laser treatments for scar removal can also reduce the itching and pain caused by scars and increase your range of motion if a scar has been limiting your movement.4
Keep in mind that while laser resurfacing can make a scar less noticeable, it can’t actually remove the scar. Instead, you’re replacing one scar with another scar — albeit one that is less noticeable.4
Types of laser treatments for scars
Understanding the main types of laser treatments can help you and your dermatologist choose the right approach. The clinical applications of lasers now span treatments ranging from skin resurfacing to laser hair removal.5 Doctors working in the field of dermatology began improving the appearance of scars with laser therapy in the 1980s, and the use of lasers has only grown since.6
Today, there are two primary types of lasers used to treat scars: ablative and non-ablative.5 Ablation refers to the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function.7 Either approach can use fractional laser technology, which treats microscopic columns of skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact.8 While ablative techniques are more invasive than non-ablative techniques, they tend to provide more dramatic results from a single treatment. Non-ablative laser treatments require less recovery time, but the best results often come with multiple treatments.9
| Type of laser treatment | Description |
|---|---|
| Ablative laser treatment | Removes the outer layer of skin (epidermis) to eliminate damaged skin cells. Heats the underlying skin (dermis) to stimulate collagen growth.10 |
| Non-ablative laser treatment | Heats up the outer layer of skin but does not remove it.9 The heat promotes collagen production, causing the skin to tighten.11 |
To provide the best results, dermatologists often use more than one laser treatment for scars.4 Because scars have various causes and forms, no single approach can consistently provide good scar treatment and management. Rather, the approach must be informed by the individual characteristics of each patient and each scar.12
How Much Does Laser Scar Removal Cost?
The national average cost** of laser skin resurfacing for scar removal is $2,614 for ablative treatments (ranging from $1,906 to $4,203) and $1,627 for non-ablative (ranging from $1,212 to $2,603). The total cost can be impacted by the number of sessions needed, the severity of the scars and the provider’s experience, among other factors.13
Calculate the cost of laser skin resurface-ablative near you**
Explore costs in your area
Laser skin resurfacing costs by state/district
The cost of laser skin resurfacing can vary based on your geographic location. Below is the average cost** per session of ablative and non-ablative laser skin resurfacing by state or district.13
| State/District | Ablative average cost | Non-ablative average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,302 | $1,435 |
| Alaska | $2,806 | $1,749 |
| Arizona | $2,552 | $1,588 |
| Arkansas | $2,263 | $1,409 |
| California | $3,180 | $1,977 |
| Colorado | $2,800 | $1,742 |
| Connecticut | $2,837 | $1,763 |
| Delaware | $2,603 | $1,619 |
| District of Columbia | $3,104 | $1,933 |
| Florida | $2,574 | $1,604 |
| Georgia | $2,497 | $1,551 |
| Hawaii | $2,995 | $1,866 |
| Idaho | $2,423 | $1,510 |
| Illinois | $2,578 | $1,612 |
| Indiana | $2,444 | $1,522 |
| Iowa | $2,409 | $1,498 |
| Kansas | $2,377 | $1,478 |
| Kentucky | $2,342 | $1,459 |
| Louisiana | $2,397 | $1,492 |
| Maine | $2,501 | $1,558 |
| Maryland | $2,740 | $1,702 |
| Massachusetts | $2,934 | $1,829 |
| Michigan | $2,462 | $1,534 |
| Minnesota | $2,702 | $1,681 |
| Mississippi | $2,270 | $1,407 |
| Missouri | $2,428 | $1,517 |
| Montana | $2,634 | $1,641 |
| Nebraska | $2,420 | $1,506 |
| Nevada | $2,638 | $1,639 |
| New Hampshire | $2,746 | $1,707 |
| New Jersey | $2,954 | $1,837 |
| New Mexico | $2,408 | $1,500 |
| New York | $2,970 | $1,855 |
| North Carolina | $2,458 | $1,531 |
| North Dakota | $2,631 | $1,636 |
| Ohio | $2,404 | $1,496 |
| Oklahoma | $2,348 | $1,461 |
| Oregon | $2,755 | $1,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,560 | $1,595 |
| Rhode Island | $2,718 | $1,692 |
| South Carolina | $2,427 | $1,515 |
| South Dakota | $2,633 | $1,637 |
| Tennessee | $2,396 | $1,488 |
| Texas | $2,582 | $1,606 |
| Utah | $2,471 | $1,538 |
| Vermont | $2,606 | $1,628 |
| Virginia | $2,583 | $1,611 |
| Washington | $2,924 | $1,812 |
| West Virginia | $2,392 | $1,492 |
| Wisconsin | $2,507 | $1,565 |
| Wyoming | $2,631 | $1,634 |
Does Insurance Cover Laser Scar Removal?
Insurance providers generally consider laser treatments to be cosmetic treatments and there for do not cover the costs of such treatments.4
How Can You Pay for Laser Scar Removal?
There are several ways to pay for laser scar removal, depending on what your provider offers and your budget. Some pay up front with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others may choose a payment plan offered through the practice.
If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services. If approved, you can make monthly payments (with promotional financing options where available). Promotional financing options vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Laser treatment can be used for different types of scars, as well as other dermatological issues.3
Laser skin resurfacing may work well for people with:
- Acne scars
- Burn scars
- Fine lines or wrinkles
- Hyperpigmentation (e.g., age spots, sun spots, liver spots)
- Injury scars
- Keloids (thick, raised scars)
- Stretch marks
- Surgery scars
- Tattoos
- Warts
Laser skin resurfacing may not work well for people with:
- Active acne
- Darker skin
- Deep wrinkles
- Light sensitivity
- Skin sores
Talk with your dermatologist to see if you might be a good candidate for laser treatment.
How Does Laser Scar Removal Work?
Laser treatment
Laser scar removal should be performed by a board-certified dermatologist.4 Your doctor may use a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser or an erbium laser, both of which work to vaporize damaged skin cells at the surface.14 Treatment with a pulsed-dye laser (PDL) can help reduce itching and pain, diminish color and flatten a raised scar. For those with lighter skin, intense pulsed light (IPL) is another non-ablative treatment option.1
Below, we’ve outlined common steps your doctor may perform for scar removal:14
- Inject a local anesthetic, apply a numbing cream or administer a sedative.
- Thoroughly clean the treatment area and provide eye protection.
- Pass the laser over the scar tissue, removing thin layers of skin.
- After treatment is complete, apply a specialized dressing to protect the treated area.
Procedure length
Laser scar removal is usually an outpatient procedure. The length of the procedure varies, and you can expect some mild discomfort during treatment. Laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours.14 Before treatment, the scar may also be treated with a topical anesthetic for 30 to 60 minutes to numb the skin.8
Results timeline
To achieve long-lasting results and the most improvement, your dermatologist may schedule a series of laser treatments. Keep in mind that it can take months to see results, and you may notice little improvement at first.4 However, your skin may continue to improve for up to a year after treatment, and this improvement may last for several years.15
Side Effects of Laser Scar Removal
Side effects of laser scar removal may include:
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Mild pain
- Oozing
- Redness
- Swelling
These symptoms should improve within a few days.16 Healing takes three to 10 days, depending on the depth of the resurfacing and type of laser used.17
Other possible complications of laser scar removal may include:5
- Milia. These small white bumps may appear during the first few weeks of healing and often clear without treatment.
- Pigmentation issues. If you experience a darkening effect in the treated area, a bleaching cream may help. Applying sunscreen in the weeks before and after treatment may also help prevent pigmentary changes.
- Reactivation of cold sores. If you have a history of cold sores, ask your doctor for an antiviral medication before treatment to help prevent an outbreak.
How Effective Is Laser Scar Removal?
Today’s laser technology is far more advanced than the devices available just a decade or two ago. Dermatologists can achieve improved results with less downtime (the expected time to return to a normal lifestyle) and more efficacy, and with a higher level of safety than in the past.6
For instance, fewer incidences of hyperpigmentation have occurred as technologies have become safer to use on more skin types.6 And, as laser technologies evolve and doctors learn more about wound healing, we can expect even better management of a wide range of scars.12
Financing Laser Scar Removal With the CareCredit Credit Card
When getting laser scar removal or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Robyn Tellefsen is a freelance writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, finance and more. Her work has appeared on sites such as LoopNet, Beachside Rehab, First Horizon Bank, SoFi, A Place for Mom, American Express, Chase and more.
Related Tags
Want to share this on social media?
ARTICLE
