Let’s talk about a cutting-edge solution for a common skin issue – laser treatment for acne scars.
Acne is extremely common in both adolescents and adults. It is a common skin ailment caused by the skin’s hair follicles getting blocked with dead skin cells, sebum, and grime. Acne can go away without leaving scars in some circumstances, but it can also harm the skin and create scars in others. In fact, 95% of people who have acne tend to have scars (1).
A study was conducted on 723 adults with facial acne scars (but no active acne) to measure the severity of their acne scarring and evaluate their attitude towards them. About 19.3% of those with mild scars considered acne scarring a ‘very large’ or ‘extremely large’ concern compared to 20.1% and 34.0% of those with moderate and severe/very severe scars, respectively. The most commonly reported emotional distress signs were self-consciousness (68.0%) and worry about scars not fading (74.8%).
Acne scars are broadly classified into three main types: rolling atrophic scars, icepick scars, and boxcar scars (1). These scars can be quite difficult to treat. The type of acne scar treatment, whether surgical or laser, is determined by the type of scar.
Laser treatment for acne scars employs intense monochromatic light with a narrow wavelength spectrum. Therefore, each patient’s treatment is tailored to their specific needs. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about acne scar laser treatment.
Laser treatments work in different ways to remove acne scars. These include:
There are different types of laser treatment for acne scars:
Ablative resurfacing is a technique for treating acne scars by removing the damaged tissue from the surface of the skin to make way for newer skin. Ablative laser resurfacing can be done using Co2 and Erbium YAG lasers. This type of laser is ideal for scars that are not too deeply set in the skin.
Pro Tip
The Erbium YAG laser is known for its precision and is effective in removing thin layers of skin. It can be a suitable option for individuals seeking improvement in skin texture with minimal downtime.
This type of laser uses blue light in the wavelength of 415-545 nm and penetrates around 0.3 mm into the skin. The porphyrins produced by the acne-causing bacteria get excited at 415 nm wavelength and release oxygen radicals, which kill the bacteria. This laser, apart from reducing the intensity of acne, has anti-inflammatory effects that reduce scar formation.
This type of laser treatment uses infrared heat. It works by increasing the collagen in the body which, in turn, promotes healthy skin cell turnover.
These lasers are non-ablative in nature and heat up the area around the scar. This heat helps absorb the pigments present in acne scars.
This type of treatment is very similar to laser treatment, but instead of using one wavelength of light, it uses a broad spectrum of wavelengths to resolve pigmentation problems like acne scars. This type of laser treatment first absorbs the excessive pigment from the skin and evens out the complexion. It is also said to stimulate collagen formation to some extent, which further enhances the uniformity of skin tone.
These lasers work by breaking up the laser energy into thousands of small fragments to treat specific areas of the skin. These lasers can also be used on other parts of the body for depigmentation, along with treatment for acne scars. They can be of two types ablative and non-ablative. 30%-50% improvement has been reported in acne scars with just one session of this laser treatment. However, this percentage varies from person to person.
Did You Know?
Lasers are safer for darker skin tones as they reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is dark discoloration left behind after an acne lesion heals.
Now, lets talk about what kind of prep you need to do before laser treatment for ace scars.
This is what happens before a laser treatment for acne scars:
Now, lets check out how the procedure is done.
On the day of your laser acne scar removal, you will need to arrive for your appointment at least one hour prior.
After the procedure is completed, here is what you can expect and need to do:
Listed below are the side effects you may experience after the procedure.
Though laser treatment for acne scars is a safe procedure routinely performed at dermatology clinics, it does have a few side effects associated with it. Some of these include:
Now, lets answer the most important question.
Laser treatment for acne scars is performed as an out-of-pocket expenditure as insurance does not cover such cosmetic procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a laser resurfacing procedure is $1,963 for ablative and $1,201 for non-ablative techniques (2). However, this cost is just the basic treatment cost and does not include other related expenses.
Also, the cost of laser treatment of acne scars depends on a number of factors like:
Lets look at some other things you need to consider besides cost before going for laser acne scar removal.
If you wish to get your acne scars treated using laser treatment, you need to consider the following to avoid any side effects or health emergencies:
Check out the next section to find out how to take care of your skin after laser treatment.
The period after your laser treatment for acne scars is very important for adequate healing. Here are some things you must do to speed up the healing process and restore your skin to normal condition as soon as possible:
It is advised not to venture out in the sun or expose yourself to direct sunlight immediately after your laser treatment. If you have to, you can do so 3-4 days after your treatment. But, always remember to apply sunscreen.
If you wear a lot of makeup during or use various skincare products as part of your routine, put a hold on them until your skin has healed post-treatment.
After any skin treatment, you will be advised to avoid exercising or performing physical activities that make you sweat for a few days. This is because sweat and the salts in it can cause irritation on raw skin that has just been treated.
Any treatment, including laser treatment for acne scars, can cause some amount of discomfort to your skin. Using strong skincare products can irritate the skin further. So, use only gentle skincare products in the laser treatment aftercare phase.
If you have any concerns or queries during the healing phase, feel free to discuss them with your doctor.
Discover how laser resurfacing helps reduce acne scarring from the video below. Learn about the benefits of this advanced treatment and know about its effectiveness in reducing acne scars. Watch this video!
Acne frequently produces scars, particularly in teenagers. While these scars take a long time to fade, there are a variety of treatments available to assist you in getting rid of them immediately. Laser treatment for acne scars is one of these methods. Different types of lasers are available for scar removal, and the dermatologist will choose the best-suited one for the patient’s condition. The acne scar removal laser procedure takes about 30 minutes, although recovery can take a few days. Following the laser treatment, you will be given some after-care instructions to help you heal properly.
How many laser treatments does it take to remove acne scars?
The number of sittings of laser treatment to remove acne scars depends on the type of scars and how deeply pigmented they are.
Can acne scars be removed permanently?
It might take many sitings, spread over many months, to diminish the scars effectively or noticeably.
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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker
Dr. Sreekar Harinatha is a double board-certified and award-winning plastic and cosmetic surgeon with 18 years of experience. He specializes in various cosmetic surgeries and treatments, including liposuction, gynecomastia surgery, hair transplantation, mommy makeovers, Brazilian butt lifts, rhinoplasty, lasers, and other skin treatments.
Read full bio of Dr. Sreekar Harinatha
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.
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Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.
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