 | Steroid Injection: Less Than $200 |
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 | Punch Excision: $250-$750 per scar |
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 | Laser: $100-$5,500+ |
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| Various types of scar removal or treatments can be used depending on the type and severity of the scarring; in some cases, removal causes a new scar. | | |
| Typical costs: | - For silicone-based products that can be used at home, scar treatment typically costs $15 to $50, depending on the product, the size of the silicone sheet and the anatomical location for which it is designed. For example, MakeMeHeal.com offers a number of silicone-based scar removal/reduction products.
- For a steroid injection, typically used to debulk hypertrophic or keloid scars, scar removal typically costs less than $200. For example, a patient at RealSelf.com paid $120 for a steroid injection into a forehead bump caused by scar tissue.
- For punch excision, typically used on acne scars, scar removal typically costs $250 to $750 per scar, according to a dermatologist at RealSelf.com. Patients on an Acne.org message board report paying about $250 per scar. For multiple scars, this treatment could total $1,000 or more.
- For laser treatments, which can be used for almost any type of scar, including acne scars, chicken pox scars, surgical scars, keloid scars and pigmented scars, the cost can vary from $100 to $5,000 or more, depending on the size and type of scar and the type of laser used. For example, dermatologist William Groff says that pulsed dye laser treatment for a scar (which might be used on a red keloid or surgical scar) can cost $100 for one tiny scar up to $2,000 for treatment of scarring on the whole face and neck. Or, the Perfect Skin Laser Center in Arizona charges $3,400 for a package of three fractional laser resurfacing treatments for scarring on the face and neck. The Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in California charges $5,500 for CO2 laser resurfacing for the whole face.
- Health insurance sometimes will cover scar removal if a scar was caused by trauma or accident.
What should be included: | - With silicone gels or patches, the patient applies the treatment to the scar at home, following manufacturer directions, usually for several weeks or longer; these treatments might decrease the thickness or prominence of the scar but do not remove it.
- With punch excisions, the doctor uses a tool to "punch" circular pieces of skin, removing pitted scars; a piece of unscarred skin then is punched, sometimes from behind the ear, and placed in the hole. The procedure will leave a new, less prominent scar.
- With laser treatment, one of several types of lasers is used to resurface the skin, making it smoother and removing or lightening scars and other imperfections; depending on the laser, one to five or more treatments might be required.
- The American Academy of Dermatology offers an overview of scars and various scar treatments.
Discounts: | - Most plastic surgeons offer discounts for multiple procedures.
Shopping for scar removal: | - Scar removal can be accomplished with several different methods, depending on the type and severity of the scar.
- It is best to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss your particular case and options. The American Academy of Dermatology offers a list of board-certified dermatologists by location. Or, both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery offer referral services.
- Tip: Ask how much experience the surgeon has performing the type of scar removal you are considering, and ask whether treatment will leave a new scar. Also, look at before-and-after photographs of previous patients.
- At RealSelf.com, patients provide reviews and cost information for their scar removal procedures.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated June 2010 |
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