Acne Scar Laser Treatment

If you suffer from acne, you don't need anyone to tell you what a profound effect this disease can have on your ability to relate to the world as well as how you perceive the world to relate to you.

We live in a plastic perfect society that has very definite opinions of what beauty is and what it isn't. Unfortunately, there is no room for blemishes and other imperfections in that picture perfect world.

The good news is that there have been new discoveries and advancement in the treatment of acne and the removal of acne scars. One such leap is acne laser scar treatment. So what is laser, how is it used, and is it effective as a treatment for scars?

Let's have a look at these 2 questions right now in this article.

What is laser treatment?

During a laser scar procedure, skin cells are removed layer by layer using a concentrated light beam. At the same time, the remaining skin is heated so that the skin will tighten in order to help smooth the lesions.

This process often takes several treatments over months before you'll see the actual results. In fact, it may take a year and a half to see the full effect of therapy. It's the 'kick start' so to speak that the body needs in order to begin repairing itself. In fact, laser treatment is most effective when used in combination with other acne scar treatments.

Types of laser therapies

The more traditional treatments are done with carbon dioxide (CO2) or an Erbium Yag laser. In recent years a Fraxel laser for acne scarring has become the treatment of choice in many situations.

This version is far less abrasive than traditional lasers. It encourages collagen growth beneath the skin in areas that lie below the acne scar while not damaging surface skin in the process. Rather than stripping away layer after layer, this type of light beam addresses the problem where it lies.

Using the Fraxel laser one can have a session of treatment with minimal downtime. In fact, some need no downtime at all, which is an advantage.

When using Fraxel for acne scar removal, a local topical anesthetic is used to numb the skin. A cooling cryogen spray immediately prior to the pulse of the laser follows this. Typical treatments are over the course of three to 5 sessions, each one spaced about a month apart.

In conclusion, the decision to have laser therapy depends on several factors.

It depends on the severity of the scars, how long you've had the scars for, your dermatologist's recommendation, and your budget. Scars can naturally diminish over time, so some people who longer have acne outbreaks prefer to wait to see if their scars reduce by themselves.

As with any procedure for acne, do your own research and seek your own medical advice to make an informed decision.

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