Suffering from acne can seem like the worst thing in the world. Many sufferers anxiously await the day that they finally wake up blemish-free. Unfortunately, what many people don’t realize is that acne doesn’t always disappear and leave behind smooth skin. As if having acne wasn’t bad enough, sufferers are often left with unsightly scars reminding them of past breakouts.
Luckily, there are ways to deal with severe acne scars. If acne has left you with dark scars or uneven skin, you may be able to eliminate these scars with specialized laser treatments. An acne laser scar skin treatment will resurface your skin, ultimately reducing the appearance of acne scars and other imperfections.
The Different Types of Laser Acne Scar Removal
There are three main options for laser acne scar removal: the CO2 laser, the Er:YAG laser, and the fractional laser.
The CO2 laser is a powerful laser used to destroy the top layers of skin. Before the procedure, you’ll be injected with a local anesthetic to prevent you from feeling uncomfortable while being treated. The doctor will then go over your acne scars one to three times to destroy the top layers of skin. This will reduce the depth of the scars and force new skin to grow over the scarred area. Once you heal, your skin should be look smoother, healthier, and more supple.
The Er:YAG laser treatment is milder than the CO2 laser, but the procedure is performed very similarly. Some patients choose this treatment to avoid some of the side effects produced by the CO2 laser. While side effects include swelling, oozing, and redness, this treatment is less likely to cause hyper-pigmentation.
The fractional laser is milder than both the CO2 and the Er:YAG laser. During this procedure, the laser will only affect a fraction of the skin. Because the laser is less effective, several treatments are usually needed. Fortunately, side effects are also very mild. Patients can expect to be red and swollen for a few days after treatment.
What You Can Expect from an Acne Laser Scarring Treatment
Laser treatments can help patients improve three of the four types of acne scars. Patients with Ice Pick, Boxcar, and Rolling scars can expect laser treatments to make their skin significantly smoother. Laser treatments may also take the redness out of acne scars, which will make them much less noticeable.
The majority of patients can expect to see results after one treatment. However, depending on the severity of your scarring, you may need several treatments to achieve smooth skin. After undergoing a laser treatment, your skin will usually begin looking better after one week. As your skin heals itself, it will continue improving. It may a few months to see the final results, depending on your skin and the type of laser treatment you chose. After your skin is fully healed, you can decide whether to undergo another treatment or whether you are happy with your results.
Get more information on how to get rid of acne scars.
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