Understanding the Different Types of Scars
When the skin is injured, it races to repair itself, but the outcome isn’t always consistent. The type of scar that forms depends on factors such as wound depth, skin type, and the distribution of collagen during the healing process.
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Atrophic scars, often left behind by acne or chickenpox, form when the skin doesn’t produce enough collagen. The result is a sunken or pitted appearance.
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Hypertrophic scars are raised and firm. Unlike keloids, they stay within the boundaries of the original wound, but can still feel thick or tight.
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Keloids go a step further. They extend beyond the injury site and may continue growing, particularly on the chest, shoulders, or jawline.
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Contracture scars, typically caused by burns, can limit movement by pulling the skin taut as they form.
Because these scars vary so widely, it’s no surprise that personalized, regenerative options, such as red light therapy, are becoming increasingly integral to modern scar care.
By addressing collagen regulation, inflammation, and tissue remodeling, this non-invasive technology offers a thoughtful approach to long-term skin recovery.
How Red Light Therapy Works for Scar Healing
Red light therapy stimulates the skin’s natural repair mechanisms by delivering specific wavelengths, typically between 600 and 850 nanometers, deep into the dermis.
There, the light triggers a process called photobiomodulation, which boosts the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule cells use for energy and repair.
Scars form when collagen is deposited rapidly and irregularly. Red light helps reorient that process. It minimizes excessive fibrosis, softens thickened tissue, and reduces inflammation—conditions that can otherwise lead to hardened, discolored scars.
Over time, red light therapy promotes the development of more organized collagen, resulting in a smoother and more pliable skin surface.
What sets red light therapy apart is its gentleness. There’s no heat, abrasion, or downtime. Only a steady, cumulative progress that aligns with the skin’s regenerative rhythm.
Key Research Findings
A growing body of peer-reviewed studies supports the role of red and near-infrared light in scar healing.
Research published in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery found that post-surgical red light therapy contributed to a reduction in scar thickness and improved elasticity.
Additional trials report enhanced collagen remodeling, faster wound recovery, and reduced inflammatory markers with consistent light exposure in the 600–850 nm range.
What Types of Scars Respond Best to Red Light Therapy?
Not all scars react the same way to treatment, but some show clearer improvements with consistent red light use.
Atrophic scars, such as those caused by acne, tend to respond particularly well to treatment. These scars form when there’s a loss of collagen, and red light therapy helps stimulate new production, gradually softening their sunken appearance.
Surgical and injury scars also benefit, especially when treatment begins shortly after the wound has fully healed. Red light can help reduce lingering inflammation and support more organized tissue repair, resulting in a smoother outcome.
Stretch marks, although not classified as scars, may respond to treatment if applied early, particularly while they’re still red or purple. Red light can help support the collagen remodeling process that fades these marks over time.
How to Use Red Light Therapy for Scar Treatment
Red light therapy is most effective when introduced at the right time, which is right after the wound has fully closed but before the scar tissue has fully matured. Starting too early can disrupt healing, but waiting too long may lessen its effect on collagen regulation.
Most dermatologists recommend beginning treatment within a few weeks of recovery. This is when the skin is still actively remodeling, and therapeutic light can help guide the process.
From there, consistency matters. We recommend using your red light three to five times per week, with 10- to 20-minute sessions.
As for the device, use our Q-Rejuvalight Pro red light therapy mask. With five clinically targeted wavelengths and FDA clearance for both anti-aging and acne treatment, it brings clinic-level treatment right to your home.
Remember, results build gradually. In the early weeks, many users notice calmer skin and reduced redness. By week four or five, the texture often begins to smooth. With continued use, scars may appear softer, more even, and better integrated with the surrounding skin.
To support recovery between sessions, consider layering in a barrier-friendly mist. Use our Dermal Mist hypochlorous acid spray (dermatologist-approved and tested on sensitive skin), which helps calm inflammation and reinforce the skin’s protective layer.
Conclusion
Scars are a reminder of healing, but they don’t have to be permanent fixtures. With red light therapy, there is now a clinically supported way to gently and safely enhance your skin's recovery.
Whether you're working to improve the appearance of post-acne marks or supporting your skin after a procedure, red light therapy offers a gentle, science-backed approach to enhance your skin's recovery.
Qure’s Q-Rejuvalight Pro LED red light therapy mask gives you clinic-grade light therapy right at home. With five targeted wavelengths and an app-connected design, our FDA-cleared red light system is the perfect long-term skincare investment.
Your skin has already done the hard work of healing. Let Qure Skincare help refine the result.
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