At Thames Valley Scar Clinic, we thoroughly evaluate your skin concerns, considering every aspect from appearance to functionality and psychological impact. Our focus is on addressing your individual needs and crafting a bespoke treatment plan, which may well encompass operative treatments including surgery and advanced laser treatments.
Here are some of the Operative Treatments we may recommend.
Carbon Dioxide Laser (Lumenis Ultrapulse Alpha)
What is Carbon dioxide laser?
Carbon dioxide laser treatment is an evidence-based treatment that supports the remodelling of all types of scar tissue. The treatment leads to improvements in the look, feel and sensation of the scar. This treatment can also be used on different settings to trigger a rejuvenating effect to the skin. It consistently improves skin damage, skin texture and tone, producing an energised look.
Recovery Time
Approx 2 weeks
Number of Sessions needed
Scars 1-3. Facial rejuvenation just 1.
Type of anaesthetic
Most scars and all facial rejuvenation are performed as local anaesthetic, day case procedures. Larger areas of scarring may need general anaesthetic and potential an overnight stay.
Where will it happen
All local anaesthetic cases at the Thames Valley Scar Clinic. All requiring general anaesthetic will be at a partner private hospital.
What are the benefits of carbon dioxide laser?
- Well researched
- Quick
- For rejuvenation, only one treatment required
- Mostly done as an outpatient procedure
- Short down time in comparison to surgery
Am I a good candidate for carbon dioxide laser?
- People with itchy, inflamed, lumpy or tight scars
- People with acne scars
- People with fine lines and wrinkles
- People with loosening of facial skin
- People with loose eyelid skin or benign skin lesions
What are the risks or complications from carbon dioxide laser?
- Change in pigmentation
- Delayed healing
- Reactivation of virus (Herpes Simplex)
- Varied response
“The Lumenis Ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser has revolutionised scar-treatment and has improved the quality of life for so many patients I have looked after. Transferring this technology to age-related change is a game-changer.”
Alexandra Atkins-Murray
IPL Lumenis M22
What is IPL?
Intense Pulse light (IPL) treatment uses light of different wavelengths to target skin pigment and vessels. It has a variety of settings to treat various conditions and is one of the treatments on the Lumenis M22 machine.
The main conditions this is particularly useful is for superficial vascular changes in the skin (telangiectasias, rosacea, vascular lesions) and hyper pigmentation (darker patches, including age spots and lentigo). As a result of this and its ability to enhance skin tone it is a fantastic choice for rejuvenation, treating the first signs of age related skin damage
Recovery Time
Approx 2-3 days
Number of Sessions needed
Usually 3-4 sessions
Type of anaesthetic
No anaesthetic is usually required, this is a day case procedure.
Where will it happen
Thames Valley Scar Clinic.
What are the benefits of IPL?
- Quick
- Comfortable with contact cooling
- Minimal downtime
- Well researched
- Versatile
Am I a good candidate for IPL?
- A good first step for skin rejuvenation to improve tone
- Effective for people with Rosacea and superficial vascular change
- Good for people with age related facial hair (or unwanted hair elsewhere)
- Good for unwanted pigmentation
- Can be used in combination with the carbon dioxide laser to enhance rejuvenation effect
What are the risks or complications from IPL?
- Change in pigmentation
- Delayed healing
- Reactivation of virus (Herpes Simplex)
- Varied response
“IPL technology stands out for its versatility and in combination with the carbon dioxide laser gives cutting edge results for rejuvenation.”
Alex Atkins-Murray
Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser
What is Nd:YAG Laser?
Nd:YAG Laser is a solid state laser that is capable of penetrating deep into the skin. It is readily absorbed by melanin (pigment cells) and haemoglobin (red blood cells). It is one of the treatments on the Lumenis M22 machine.
It is the ideal treatment for deeper vascular or pigment changes in the skin such as, visible veins, vascular malformations, and tattoos. It is also useful for unwanted hair and hyperpigmentation in all skin types.
Recovery Time
Approx 2-3 days
Number of Sessions needed
Approx 3-4.
Type of anaesthetic
This is a local anaesthetic day case procedure.
Where will it happen
Thames Valley Scar Clinic.
What are the benefits of Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser?
- Comfortable with contact cooling
- Good in people with Fitzpatrick type 3 skin type and above
- Deep penetration means ideal for deeper vascular change
- Effective in dark tattooing of skin
- Great for very dark pigmentation change in the skin
Am I a good candidate for Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser?
- People of all skin types, including those with Fitzpatrick type 3 and above
- People with deep visible vessels
- People who want an alternative to surgical excision of a vascular or deep pigmented lesions
- People that have tattooing of the skin either from trauma or previous procedures
What are the risks or complications from Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser?
- Change in pigmentation
- Delayed healing
- Reactivation of virus (Herpes Simplex)
- Varied response
“The Nd:YAG Lumenis M22 Laser has been a stalwart for the deeper vascular lesions over the years. In addition with it being universally effective in all Fitzpatrick skin types for hyperpigmentation its means we have the ability to treat all our patients .”
Alex Atkins-Murray