
Will there be scarring after laser treatment?
I am 24 years old and would like to undergo laser treatment to whiten my skin. I would like to know whether scarring may occur after the laser treatment?

In general, laser treatment does not leave scars, but this mainly depends on individual differences, technical execution, and postoperative care. Laser treatment itself is a minimally invasive procedure; its spot size is small and it passes through the skin in an extremely short time, causing minimal thermal damage to the epidermis. Therefore, in most cases, laser treatment does not result in scarring. For epidermal pigmentary disorders such as freckles, laser treatment selectively targets and destroys the epidermal pigmentation without damaging other areas of the epidermis or the dermis, so scarring is generally not expected.
However, individuals with a predisposition to scarring (keloid or hypertrophic scarring tendencies) may be more prone to developing scars after laser treatment due to weaker skin healing capacity. If the energy level of the laser is set too high or the treatment area is improperly selected, excessive skin damage may occur, leading to scar formation. Additionally, failure to follow the doctor's post-treatment instructions—such as maintaining cleanliness of the treated area, avoiding infection, and preventing sun exposure—may impair the skin's healing process and increase the risk of scarring.
Prior to treatment, it is important to understand your own constitution and skin condition. If you have a history of scarring easily or sensitive skin, you should inform your doctor in advance. After treatment, strictly follow the doctor's instructions for postoperative care and avoid using any medications or skincare products not specifically recommended by your physician.