What You Need To Know About Laser Treatment For Acne Scars
Are you Frustrated by the daily reminders of past breakouts that acne scars give? Well, you are not alone, acne scars are pretty common. Luckily, laser treatment has become a popular and effective way to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
In this article we will discuss the things you need to know about laser treatments, keep reading for tips.
What are acne scars?
Acne scars occur when the skin is damaged by inflammation caused by acne. The scars are often a result of hyperpigmentation and is common among those with dark skin due to the additional melanin present. There are two main types of acne scars: atrophic and hypertrophic. Atrophic scars are indented and occur when there is a loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. Hypertrophic scars are raised and occur when there is an excess of collagen produced in the skin. Both types of scars can be treated with acne scar laser treatments.
Read some of our previous articles
Lasers used to remove acne scars
There are several types of acne scar removal treatments that use lasers to treat deep acne scars, including fractional lasers, fractional CO2 lasers, and erbium lasers. Fractional lasers, such as Fraxel, use a beam of light to create tiny wounds in the skin and break down scar tissue. This triggers the body's natural healing process and promotes the production of collagen, which can help to smooth out the appearance of scars.
Fractional CO2 laser, such as ActiveFX, use a beam of light to remove the top layers of skin, which can also help to reduce the appearance of scars on the skin surface.
Erbium lasers, such as SmartXide Dot, use a beam of light to remove the top layers of skin and also promote collagen production.
What you should know:
- Lasers cannot completely remove your acne scars:
- While laser treatment can significantly improve the appearance of acne scar, it cannot completely remove them. The best results are usually a significant reduction in the appearance of scars.
- It may take more than 1 treatment:
- Depending on the severity of your scars, it may take more than one treatment to achieve the desired results. Your dermatologist will be able to give you an estimate of how many treatments you will need.
- Best results are seen months after your treatment:
- It can take several months for the full effects of laser treatment to become visible. During this time, the collagen in your skin will continue to rebuild and improve the appearance of your scars.
- Long-term aftercare is needed:
- To maintain the results of your laser treatment, it's important to take care of your skin long-term. This includes using sunscreen, avoiding picking at your skin, and following a consistent skincare routine.
Also, check out our article on the types of acne scar treatments: How To Remove Acne Scars In Singapore | Treatments & Prices
Related articles:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, laser treatments can be used to effectively treat severe acne scars.
The best laser acne scar removal treatment vary depending on the individual's skin type and condition. Generally, two types of lasers are most widely used when it comes to treating acne scars - fractional non-ablative lasers and ablative lasers.
Laser acne scar treatments usually takes between 6-8 sessions of laser acne scar treatment in order to see major improvements in the appearance of acne scarring.
Laser acne scar treatment can be expensive, often costing at least thousands, but they offer an effective solution for treating deeper or harder-to-treat forms of acne scarring, so it may be worth considering if other treatments have not worked as well.
