Acne scars are a direct result of cystic acne or prolonged chronic acne. Reducing the appearance of acne scars has always been difficult. Prior to laser scar treatments, the available choices were mechanical dermabrasion (a wire brush which removes the top layers of skin) or deep chemical peels.
Treatment: Fractional Laser
At the top of the list is the Palomar Fractional Laser – the Lux1540. This laser works by smoothing the scar ridges and encouraging collagen growth beneath the scar. The Lux 1540 uses the latest technology in skin resurfacing by treating the skin with microbeams of laser light.
Because these microbeams only target a pin-dot size of skin tissue at a time, the untouched skin surrounding the treated skin protects the integrity of the epidermis and healing occurs quite quickly.
Treatment Fractional Laser (2 Treatments)
Photo courtesy of Hema Sundaram, MD
Patient results may vary
Fractional laser results are obtained through a series of treatments.
Types of Acne Scars and Treatments to Reduce Scarring
- Red flat "scars" resulting from capillary expansion following any inflamed acne. Treated with Palomar IPL
- Shallow depressed scars resulting from tissue destruction following inflammation and infection. Treated with and/or Lux 1540 Fractional Laser<. Improved to a lesser degree with chemical peels
- Deep rolling or "boxcar" scars resulting from cystic acne. Treated with Lux 1540 Fractional Laser.
- Icepick scars resulting from deeply embedded cystic acne. Treated with Lux 1540 Fractional laser and/or dermal fillers.
- Keloid scars – raised, firm "hypertrophic scars" – are an occasional response to acne. Keloid scars are treated with cortisone injections to the scars.
What Causes an Acne Scar?
Your acne scarring is a result of tissue destruction. Infection that causes inflamed acne destroys that area of skin. Everyone has different response to acne inflammation. Some people scar deeply and others experience only faint scars that are more easily treated. Early treatment of acne will help prevent scarring.
You may have redness from acne that remains obvious for a long time. Redness can last up to a year if untreated. The pulsed light systems shrink and eliminate many of the broken capillaries responsible for this redness.
Does Laser Treatment Remove All Acne Scarring?
Realistic treatment goals are to gain visible improvement, accomplished with lasers such as the Palomar Fractional Laser which smooths down the area surrounding the depression and helps build up the "shallow" scars so they blend better into the surrounding skin. There is no way to completely eliminate acne scars, but today's technologies offer improvement that is light years ahead of what was available only a few years ago.
Photo courtesy of Michael Sinclair, MD
Treatments - Fractional Laser *
Individual results will vary
Photo courtesy of Michael Sinclair, MD
Treatments: Fractional Laser
Individual results will vary
Photo courtesy of David Vasily, MD
Treatments - Fractional Laser *
Individual results will vary
Photo courtesy David Vasily, MD
6 Treatments - Fractional Laser *
Individual results will vary
Are Lasers or Surgery the Only Solution to Acne Scars?
No. there are several alternatives for more minimal or temporary improvement. Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and dermal fillers such as Juvederm can be used as well to help to reduce scar appearance.
Contact Dr. Sedgh by calling 888-333-2515 today to discuss your options for free.
