Description
The protocol we use to treat a recent scar: three sessions of fractional CO₂ laser and three of intense pulsed light, at one, two and three months after surgery.
Why at one month, and not when it starts to look bad
The calendar is not a habit of the clinic: it is what the available evidence measures. A meta-analysis of fourteen controlled trials with 492 participants or surgical scars assessed exactly when it is best to start (Ji, 2025):
- Starting at one month or earlier improves scar scale scores compared with no treatment (mean difference −1.66).
- Starting at one month or earlier is better than starting after three months (−1.93).
- Starting after three months was indistinguishable from doing nothing (p = 0.37).
That third line is what decides the protocol: waiting until the scar “looks bad” to treat it is waiting until the treatment can no longer be told apart from doing nothing.
What each tool does
They do not do the same thing. Fractional CO₂ works on relief and texture; pulsed light works on colour, which is what dominates the appearance of a young scar. In the trial that compared them, only the group that received both improved significantly in both respects at once.
Who it is for
Recent surgical scars—from a caesarean section, an abdominoplasty or any other operation—and also old caesarean scars, with no surgery ahead. The prior assessment is mandatory: it decides whether the timing is right, whether the skin is closed and intact, and whether the skin type allows it.
What to expect, and what you will see along the way
Between the first and the sixth month, the appearance gets worse before it gets better. The treatment itself produces temporary redness and pigmentation that dominate how the scar looks during that period, even though remodelling is already happening underneath. The benefit becomes visible from the sixth month. Knowing this before you start is what stops people giving up at the second session.
And it is worth saying clearly: this does not erase a scar. It guides its maturation while it is still active, which is the only time it can be influenced.
Strict sun protection throughout the first year. It is part of the treatment, not an extra: it is what does most to stop the scar staying pigmented.
What the package includes
- 3 sessions of fractional CO₂ laser.
- 3 sessions of intense pulsed light (IPL).
- Prior assessment consultation, mandatory before the first session.
- Redeemable by appointment at the clinic. Valid for 12 months from purchase.
Whether it is right for you is always decided at the prior medical assessment. If, after assessing you, the treatment is not indicated, it is not carried out: we tell you and refund the amount.
