Hello. I am Kang Jin-moon, a dermatologist. Every year, more people visit our dermatology clinic for scars left after self-harm due to depression. Last time, I introduced the characteristics and treatment methods for self-harm scars, stating that non-surgical treatments like lasers or injections can be more effective than surgery in most cases. Today, I will explain in detail the number of sessions required for laser treatment of self-harm scars and how much improvement can actually be expected.
Self-harm Scars: How many laser treatment sessions are needed?
One of the most frequently asked questions regarding self-harm scar treatment is 'how many treatments are needed to see improvement?' It is important to note that the number of treatment sessions can vary significantly depending on whether the goal is simply 'some improvement compared to before' or 'a satisfactory level of improvement.'
- Noticeable improvement: With just 3-5 laser treatment sessions, you can observe the scars gradually fading compared to before treatment.
- Satisfactory results: While the standard of satisfaction varies for each individual, generally, at least 10 or more treatment sessions are required.
What are realistic treatment goals for self-harm scars?
The criteria for satisfaction in self-harm scar treatment can be broadly divided into three categories:
- 100% complete disappearance
- Fading to the point where they are barely visible at a glance
- Still slightly visible, but appearing as scars from other causes rather than self-harm
Among these, the first goal, 100% complete removal, is realistically difficult to achieve. While dozens of treatments might lead to almost invisible improvement, it is challenging to set as a realistic goal.
Therefore, realistic goals are the second or third, and while there may be individual differences, these goals can generally be achieved with about 10 to 20 treatment sessions.
Can scars become more prominent during the treatment process?
An important point when treating self-harm scars with lasers is that the scars might appear worse during the treatment process. The following phenomena can occur during laser treatment:
- Laser marks
- Skin color changes
- Skin depressions
These temporary changes generally disappear naturally after about 6 months to 1 year, so they are not a major concern. However, being aware of them beforehand can help reduce anxiety during the treatment process.
Self-harm Scar Laser Treatment: How long does the entire process take?
Considering the points mentioned above, the estimated duration for self-harm scar treatment is as follows:
- Number of treatments: Approximately 1 year for 10 treatments at one-month intervals
- Time for temporary changes to disappear: Approximately 1 additional year after the last treatment
- Confirmation of final treatment effect: Approximately 2 years in total
Therefore, if you are considering treatment in preparation for important life moments such as employment or marriage, it is advisable to start treatment at least 3 years in advance.
Do all self-harm scars respond well to laser treatment?
Self-harm scars may appear similar on the surface, but their depth and condition can lead to differences in treatment effectiveness.
In cases of minor skin damage, the scars are not very deep, and treatment tends to be relatively effective. However, if there is deep damage accompanied by injury to muscles or ligaments, or if there are too many scars due to continuous self-harm, treatment can be very slow, and the treatment effect may also be reduced.
The Importance of Post-Treatment Care and Mindset
No particularly complex care is needed after treatment. Simply apply moisturizer or regenerative cream consistently.
However, even more important than this aftercare is a patient mindset. Self-harm scar treatment is a long process, and impatience can lead to giving up treatment midway or experiencing a lot of stress. We recommend starting with ample time and approaching treatment with a calm mind. With consistent treatment, you will eventually notice significant improvement in your scars.