Acne Scar Removal | Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scars

Laser Resurfacing & Acne Scars

If you have acne scars, laser resurfacing might be an option for treating them. Laser resurfacing is designed to be a very controlled burning procedure.

A superficial laser may be used to treat irregular acne scars. During this procedure, the damaged layer of skin is removed, leaving skin smoother. Your skin may be first injected with a local anesthesia in order to numb it. After about a week, you should see an improvement in the way the skin looks. It is important that only a qualified dermatologist do this type of procedure.

Lasers can cut through tissue without causing excessive bleeding. In the course of treating acne scars with a laser, you may notice the surrounding skin looks better as well. Pulse-dye lasers, Fraxel lasers, Smoothbeam lasers, CO2 laser sand the erbium (YAG) laser are examples of different types of lasers for scarring. With some, a laser vaporizes superficial layers of facial skin. Your doctor will decide if laser resurfacing is appropriate for your type of scar. In general, lasers work best on acne scars that are shallow or slightly raised. Lasers don't work as well on ice-pick scars.

In addition to removing the damaged layers of skin, laser resurfacing can also lead to more collagen production, which may be helpful in making the skin look better. Collagen is a key fibrous protein in the skin's connective tissue, and it helps give the skin its texture. When you increase collagen production, the skin looks fuller and better. This can also make scars less apparent.

If you are considering laser treatment for scar removal, talk to your doctor if you are still getting acne. It may be better to wait until the acne is under control.

After some laser resurfacing procedures, there will be bruising and swelling for over a week, with the skin looking scabbed and crusty. After the procedure, plan on at least 10 days of healing before applying any makeup. For satisfactory healing, that means following rigorous after-care treatment, including proper skin cleansing, the application of a skin lubricant, and the frequent changing of dressings.

It's important to remember that after any kind of laser resurfacing surgery, patients must avoid sunbathing which will accelerate the aging process and increase your risk of skin cancer. Anyone who's had a laser procedure on their skin should make sure they use sun protection. Also, you should not get laser treatments while using isotretinoin (Accutane) for severe acne.

Laser resurfacing is not for everyone. Some people with very sensitive skin cannot tolerate the medications used on the skin during healing. If you're still getting acne, lubricants used after the treatment may make your acne worse. People with darker skin can also have problems due to uneven coloration.

As with any medical procedure, patients may experience certain complications including:

• prolonged redness of skin and easy flushing - skin may remain pink for weeks
• tenderness
• hyperpigmentation, when the skin appears darker than normal, or hypopigmentation, which is lightening of the skin

It is essential that anyone considering this procedure see a doctor who is qualified to do the procedure, since laser resurfacing that goes too deep can result in bad scarring. In addition to acne scars, lasers can also be used for wrinkles and lines caused by sun damage, wrinkles due to age and facial expressions, precancerous and benign superficial growths, age spots, and some folds and creases around the nose and mouth

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Updated May 2008

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