Fraxel® and Vbeam®: Transforming the Look of Scars

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Understanding Scars

Scars are a normal part of healing, but they often look and feel different from the surrounding skin. Whether caused by surgery, acne, or injury, scars can remain red, raised, firm, or uneven long after the skin has closed. At Miami Skin Institute, we offer a modern, non-surgical approach that treats scars effectively and safely. By combining two advanced lasers—Vbeam® and Fraxel®—we address both the color and texture of scars, helping them blend with the surrounding skin. This approach is faster, more comfortable, and less invasive than traditional scar revision surgery.

Why Scars Look Different

Scar tissue is biologically different from normal skin in two key ways. The fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, are abnormal compared with normal skin fibroblasts, which can leave scars firmer or uneven. Scars are also overly vascularized, containing more blood vessels than healthy skin, which contributes to redness and discoloration. In the past, scar revision surgery involved cutting out the old scar and suturing the skin back together. While this could reduce the size or change the direction of the scar, it was costly, painful, and often simply replaced one scar with another.

How Miami Skin Institute Has Revolutionized Scar Treatment

At Miami Skin Institute, we’ve changed the way scars are treated. Using a powerful combination of VBeam and Fraxel lasers, we address the two key factors that make scars noticeable—color and texture—without the pain, recovery time, or risks of surgery. VBeam targets the red color in hemoglobin, closing the blood vessels that feed the scar and significantly reducing redness. Fraxel uses advanced fractional laser technology to create thousands of microscopic treatment zones within the scar tissue. These tiny zones are so small that the body does not recognize them as a wound, yet they trigger normal fibroblasts to produce healthy collagen, gradually replacing the abnormal scar tissue over time.

By combining these two lasers in the same session, we deliver faster, more comprehensive results than ever before. Scars gradually fade, soften, and blend seamlessly with the surrounding skin, leaving a natural, even appearance. Most patients see results over 2–3 months as the skin remodels and collagen develops, providing smoother, healthier-looking skin that was not possible with traditional methods.

Who Can Benefit

Fraxel and VBeam treatments are suitable for adults of all ages and, in some cases, adolescents with surgical or injury-related scars. Treatments can begin a few weeks after the wound has healed, allowing early intervention for better long-term results. Most patients see visible improvement after a series of treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Recovery time is minimal, and normal activities can usually resume immediately.

What to Expect

After your treatment, we provide healing creams to support the skin during the first 24–36 hours, helping to keep the treated area comfortable and protected as it recovers. Mild swelling may occur shortly after treatment, but this is temporary and typically resolves quickly. Results develop gradually over 2–3 months as new, healthy collagen forms and the scar tissue remodels. Over time, scars become softer, smoother, and more even in color, blending naturally with the surrounding skin without the need for surgery.

For more information, visit S. Manjula Jegasothy, MD, FAAD's social media: