For years most dermatologists recommended dermabrasion or chemical peels to remove acne scars. For some people these treatments worked very well, for some they didn't. Laser acne treatment is a recent invention and it produces very good results. Modern laser scar removal methods promote the growth of collagen under scars. So the scar is filled from the inside. The effect is long lasting and usually don't cause any complications.
Laser acne scar treatment is also called laser resurfacing. It uses high-energy light to remove skin damaged by acne scars. Laser treatment is used not only to treat acne scars, but also to minimize wrinkles and other skin imperfections.
There are three different types of laser acne scars treatment:
- Smoothbeam laser - Vbeam laser - Fraxel laser
Smoothbeam Laser
This treatment is done under topical anesthetic. Cooling cryogen spray is sprayed to your face just before the laser goes to work. The entire treatment feels comfortable.
One advantage of Smoothbeam laser treatment is that your face doesn't look red for days afterwards. Actually, redness disappears very quickly and in a few hours your skin looks normal, but smother and refreshed.
Vbeam Laser
Acne scars can be different shape: flat, depressed or raised. Vbeam treatment works for all of them. This scar removal method targets blood vessels in the scar. It works particularly well with red scars, making them significantly less visible.
Fraxel Laser
Fraxel laser scar removal is the most modern of laser methods. It is focused on getting rid of old pigmented cells of the top layers of the skin. This method is very precise; it only targets the scar aria without affecting surrounding skin.
The downside of laser resurfacing for acne scars is that your face will hurt for about a week after the treatment. You will have to take special medicine prescribed by your doctor to deal with the discomfort. Another thing is that you skin will be red for a couple weeks, so you will have to stay home or camouflage it with good foundations. Discuss with your doctor what make up brand would be best, because most over the counter cosmetics will irritate your already sensitive skin.
Would acne scars disappear completely?
This is the question most people who consider laser resurfacing want to ask. And the answer varies from person, it depends on your skin type and how deep your scars are. For some people scars disappear completely, for others they are reduced 60-80 percent. Sometimes one treatment is not enough to reduce the appearance of scars, so it should be repeated. Your doctor would be able to tell you what result you should expect from your laser treatment before it begins.
If your dermatologist is old-fashioned he or she will probably suggest dermabrasion for treating your acne scars. Ask if they do laser resurfacing as well. Laser acne scar treatments are safe, quick and produce excellent results. Even deep scars from cystic acne can be treated with a laser. You don't have to live with these horrible scars on your face any more, laser resurfacing can definitely help get rid of them.
Although there are many different ways to treat acne, many traditional acne treatments are harsh on your skin and have numerous side effects. However, experimentation with different techniques are yielding positive results and providing much safer and natural ways to deal with acne and acne scars. At the forefront of these more gentle acne treatments are light and laser therapy.
It has been found that specialized lights and lasers can have a positive impact on acne and can even remove acne scars in some cases. There are now a variety of lights and lasers that can be used in different situations to treat acne depending on a person's skin type and the severity of their acne. However, there is some kind of laser or light therapy for nearly anyone, regardless of how severe their acne is or where it is located: on the face, on the back, or even the scalp and hairline.
Although laser beams are a type of light ray, there are some distinct differences between light and laser treatments, and even drastic differences between various laser treatments. One thing that should be noted is that since light and laser treatments do not necessarily include any kind of medications or traditional medicine, there are no restrictions on who can professionally apply laser treatments. This means you do not need a license, certification, or training to operate laser or light treatments. As with other acne treatments, each treatment carries certain risks, although some are more serious than others.
Laser Treatments
There are two types of laser treatments, ablative and non-ablative. Both of these laser treatments are becoming very popular because of their effectiveness in eradicating acne, as well as removing acne scars, age lines, wrinkles, and discolorations. As would be expected, the more extreme treatment yields quicker and more permanent results, but there is a risk of side effects.
Ablative lasers are the oldest type of laser used to treat acne. The ablative laser rids skin of acne in two different ways. First, the laser heats the sebatious glands beneath the skin. The heat applied to the sebatious glands causes them to shrink and produce much less oil, which means that your pores do not clog as easily. However, ablative lasers also remove the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of your skin. The epidermis is essentially burned off or 'vaporized' as many websites say. Removing the outer layer of skin destroys skin that is marked with acne scars and causes collegen growth, which replaces skin damaged by acne scars with clear, smooth skin.
Although this treatment only takes one session, patients will find that their face is red and very sensitive for a number of weeks, which is a direct result of the outer layer of skin being burned off. The skin that replaces it is normally free from noticeable flaws, but it takes several weeks for this skin to grow and heal, leaving patients discomforted and with red marks on their face until healing is complete.
Using an ablative laser to treat acne is very much like removing a tattoo. Vaporizing the epidermis essentially allows your skin a blank slate so that it can grow back naturally without any scar tissue or formations. The drawback of using ablative lasers is that it takes a long time to heal completely and it is possible to vaporize too much with the laser. In some cases, laser operators can make the laser too intense or hold it in one place too long and cause permanent scarring.
Non-ablative lasers, on the other hand, produce similar results, but are much milder. Like ablative lasers, non-ablative lasers also shrink and impair the functions of the sebaceous glands so that they will not get clogged as easily and produce pimples. However non-ablative lasers have no effect on the outer layer of your skin. Because your epidermis is not burned off, non-ablative lasers do not leave patients with embarrassing red marks on their face. Non-ablative lasers also stimulate collagen growth, so acne scars can be removed without vaporizing your skin. However, because non-ablative lasers are not as harsh, they do require more than one treatment session. For non-ablative lasers, it may be necessary to receive treatment every two weeks.
If you do decide to pursue laser therapy to deal with your acne, it is necessary to make sure that the person running the laser is qualified and knows what they are doing. Because you do not need a license or certification to purchase or operate a laser therapy system, some operators will be more reliable than others. For any laser treatment, going to a dermatologist will likely yield much better results than someone who doesn't have a lot of experience treating acne, especially concerning the use of lasers. Laser treatments can be very effective in treating acne, but if used incorrectly, permanent scarring can result
Both Tatyana Turner & Kelly Wade are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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