Give A. John Vartanian, MD a phone call at (818) 276-9245 Contact Us
Give A. John Vartanian, MD a phone call at (818) 276-9245 Contact Us

A Personalized Approach to Scar Correction John Vartanian, M.D.

The best scar treatments are tailored to your skin type, scar anatomy, and healing goals. Whether you’re dealing with raised, indented, surgical, or acne-related scars, Dr. Vartanian offers expert methods to help soften and refine your skin’s appearance.

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Table of Contents

Types of Skin Scars Scar Revision Options Advanced Laser Options for Scar Improvement

Understanding the Types of Skin Scars

How Scars Form

There are many types of scars, and understanding the one you have is key to choosing the right treatment. Scars may be raised (hypertrophic) or depressed. Depressed scars are further categorized by the shape of the indentation.

Common Scar Types

  • Depressed scars often result from acne, trauma, or surgery.
  • Hypertrophic scars are thick, raised scars usually limited to the original wound.
  • Keloid scars extend beyond the original injury and are often hereditary.
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What Causes Depressed and Raised Scars?

Depressed scars often stem from acne or past injuries and are frequently treated with laser therapy, fillers, or minor surgical removal. Raised scars like hypertrophic and keloid scars may respond well to steroid injections or surgical revision, depending on their cause and location.

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About Acne Scars

Acne scars can be more than just a reminder of breakouts—they often affect how individuals feel about their skin long after the acne has resolved. These scars can take many forms, from shallow depressions to deeper pitted marks or thickened, raised tissue. While topical products may offer minimal improvement, many patients benefit from expert, in-office treatments tailored to their unique skin type and scar pattern.

Dr. Vartanian may recommend laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, microneedling, injectable fillers, or subcision depending on your specific needs. A personalized consultation will determine the best path forward. Contact our practice today for more information on scar revision in Glendale or to schedule a consultation.

Scar Revision Options

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Non-Surgical Scar and Acne Scar Repair

Depressed scars (like acne scars or an old cut) can often be treated with dermal skin fillers like Restylane®. These injectable treatments can be performed to add volume below the skin in the area of the scar, helping the skin to attain a more even and smooth appearance. Acne scar repair with dermal fillers has proven very effective, and the results are often longer-lasting.

Once the effects of the dermal filler begin to fade, follow-up treatment can maintain the results. Dr. Vartanian combines a subcision technique with his dermal filler injections, whereby he “releases” the scar prior to filling it. This combination often yields long-lasting results and can stimulate collagen formation and scar remodeling for a more permanent result.

Surgical Scar Revision

Some scar types may require removal of the scar for the best result. Some scarred skin will never look normal, and as such, just needs to be removed. The empty space left by removing the scar is then closed by moving the nearby normal skin together. Almost all surgical scar revisions are done in the office with local numbing medicine.

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Scar Revision Techniques

When the scar to be removed is larger or in an aesthetically sensitive area, Dr. Vartanian can use several advanced plastic surgical techniques to improve the scar. Including the following:

  • Z-plasty – A technique that repositions a scar to improve its alignment with natural skin folds, making it less visible and improving flexibility in tight areas.
  • W-plasty – Used to break up straight scar lines by converting them into irregular zigzag patterns that blend better with the surrounding skin.
  • O-T closures – A circular or oval scar is converted into a T-shaped closure to minimize tension and improve contour, often used in tight or curved areas.
  • Rhombic flaps – A diamond-shaped skin flap is rotated or repositioned to close a defect, helping reduce tension and improve scar appearance.
  • Other types of skin flaps – Custom-designed flaps tailored to the scar’s size and location, allowing for improved healing, better cosmetic outcomes, and reduced visibility.

In addition, Dr. Vartanian uses the finest plastic surgery sutures and skin glues to further help achieve the best results. In some cases after surgical excision or revision, Dr. Vartanian may recommend a followed up treatment with dermabrasion or lasers.

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Treating Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars

What Makes These Scars Different?

A hypertrophic (thickened) scar is a skin scar characterized by deposits of excessive amounts of collagen, which gives rise to a thick, raised scar. Keloids are a more aggressive version of hypertrophic scars that are bigger and spread wider than the original cut or skin injury. 

These thicker scars are formed in some patients in response to injury and are more exaggerated than normal scars. Keloids and hypertrophic scars tend to occur more frequently in certain body areas (chest, shoulders, earlobes) and less in the central part of the face. 

Scars may be stimulated to become thicker due to the initial skin injury getting infected, containing a foreign body (like dirt), or getting continuously traumatized (like rubbing or picking at a scar).

Treatment Strategy

The treatment of these thick keloid scars can be tricky, as they may recur and come back more aggressively after laser or surgical treatment. In many cases, Dr. Vartanian can treat these scars with a combination of careful surgical removal, followed up with regular post-surgical injections of medication that can slow down scar formation. 

These injections of triamcinolone (Kenalog) can also be used initially in an attempt to shrink the thickened scars without surgery.

Medical Dermabrasion

Medical dermabrasion “refinishes” the skin’s top layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping. These treatments improve skin surface irregularities, giving the skin a smoother appearance.

They are frequently used to treat acne scars, traumatic scars, and surgical scarring. Dr. Vartanian employs both fine diamond and wire-brush dermabrasion techniques to resurface scarred skin.

Cosmetic vs. Medical Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is not the same as microdermabrasion, which is typically performed by aestheticians. The following are the two types:

  • Cosmetic dermabrasion – Targets skin tone and texture.
  • Medical dermabrasion – Reduces scars from injury, surgery, or other concerns and can address keratosis.

Dermabrasion may be used on small or large areas, including the full face.

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Part of a Holistic Plan

This versatile technique can stand alone or be part of a broader treatment plan for scar treatment in Glendale. For surgical patients, dermabrasion may be recommended about six weeks post-op to minimize scar formation. Even long-standing scars can benefit from this method. Consultations help determine appropriate use.

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What to Expect

Medical dermabrasion is performed in-office under local anesthesia. Dr. Vartanian numbs the skin and performs the procedure with pain medication, relaxing medication, and soothing music for comfort. Downtime varies from several days to a week, depending on treatment depth. Expect pinkness and discoloration for weeks to months—makeup can be used for coverage.

Subcision

Subcision treats scars from acne, trauma, or prior surgery. It’s also used for aging lines, such as nasolabial folds and glabellar lines. A fine needle or wire is used to gently separate surface skin from deeper scar tissue. This releases the scar’s anchor and stimulates collagen formation by encouraging small amounts of blood to pool beneath.

Combining Subcision with Fillers

Dr. Vartanian combines subcision with dermal filler injections to maximize results. The scar is released prior to filling, yielding long-lasting improvement. This approach also promotes new collagen and long-term scar remodeling.

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Dermal and Fat Grafting

With certain depressed scars, dermal grafts or fat grafts are used to “fill” the area under a scar or wrinkle. Dermal grafts are often harvested from behind the ear. Fat is taken from the body to restore lost volume.

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Types of Grafts

  • Full-thickness punch grafts – Contain all skin layers to fill the scar fully.
  • Dermal-only grafts – Use only deeper skin layers to improve depressed scars.
  • Fat grafting – Used for broad facial scars, similar to facial volume restoration.

Advanced Laser Options for Scar Improvement

Palomar Fractional 1540 Laser Treatment

This non-ablative laser improves scars with minimal downtime. It's especially effective for acne scars. Additional benefits include improved skin texture, reduced pore size, and softened sun damage or stretch marks.

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How It Works

Palomar’s Fractional 1540 laser creates tiny, deep columns in the skin, triggering collagen production during healing. Normal skin remains between the treated columns, which allows faster recovery.

Recovery and Comfort

  • Most patients return to normal activities quickly.
  • Redness and swelling usually resolve in one to three days.
  • Non-ablative = no skin removal, less downtime.
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How Does Starlux 1540 Laser Treatment Work?

The Starlux 1540 erbium laser penetrates the dermis to stimulate collagen. This firms and plumps the skin under the scar or depression. Its non-ablative nature preserves the skin’s surface and shortens healing time.

What to Expect During Treatment

  • Numbing cream is applied for comfort.
  • A circular handpiece delivers heat to the skin.
  • Skin remains intact with redness but no open wounds.

Patients tolerate the treatment well, and makeup can be used afterward to cover redness.

Treatment Frequency

  • Noticeable results: One to two sessions for some patients.
  • Best results: About four sessions spaced four to five weeks apart.
  • Deeper wounds may require more treatments.

When Will the Results Appear?

  • Mild swelling in the first two weeks is typical.
  • Collagen production starts around six weeks post-treatment.
  • Improvements continue over six to twelve months.
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Fraxel® Re:pair Laser

Fraxel® Re:pair improves acne scars, tightens skin, and smooths wrinkles. This CO2 laser targets water in skin cells, treating multiple skin issues at once. Results are often achieved in a single session using Fractional Resurfacing Technology.

Healing and Downtime

The Fraxel® Re:pair is an ablative laser, meaning surface skin is removed. Recovery takes longer than with Palomar 1540, but it can treat multiple concerns at once. Dr. Vartanian helps determine if it’s right for your scar concerns.

How Fraxel® Re:pair Treatment Works

Fraxel® Re:pair vaporizes tiny columns deep within the skin using a CO2 laser. It treats advanced skin damage and scarring. Results are both immediate and long-term. Patients notice improvements in texture, tone, and brightness.

Healing Timeline

  • Wound care recovery time: 24–72 hours.
  • Continued collagen remodeling over three to six months.
  • Additional improvements may occur over time.

How Fraxel® Re:pair Treatment Is Performed

Fraxel® Re:pair is performed in-office:

  1. Skin is cleansed.
  2. Numbing cream will be applied 60–90 minutes before treatment.
  3. Additional local anesthetic and medication for comfort.
  4. Treatment takes about 30 minutes for the entire face.

Patients typically feel no pain after and rarely require pain medication.

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Fraxel® Re:pair Results

Fraxel® Re:pair improves acne scars, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Skin heals with a smoother, tighter, more youthful look. For most patients, only one treatment is needed. Consult with Dr. Vartanian to decide which laser modality is best for your needs.

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Schedule a Consultation

For more information on scar reduction treatments in Glendale or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vartanian to talk more about your options, please contact our practice today.

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