| Most people suffer from acne at some point in their | | | | within a month or so, but it has been reported that |
| lives, and it's no secret that the experience can be | | | | some patients have had to wait up to 12 or even 18 |
| fairly miserable. Recent advances in research have led | | | | months before their skin has finally improved to its |
| to a whole new slew of skin care products to help | | | | full potential. |
| clear skin up...but what about the scars left behind? | | | | There are several different types of lasers used for |
| There are a number of over-the-counter products | | | | skin resurfacing, and each with their own results. Ultra |
| aimed at reducing the appearance of acne scars, | | | | pulsed CO2 lasers can have the most dramatic |
| including ingredients like silicone, cortisone, vitamin A | | | | effects of the group, removing the top layer of skin |
| and vitamin C. These products have great results | | | | but also tightening and smoothing the lower skin |
| helping both minor hypertrophic and slightly depressed | | | | layers through stimulating collagen production. This |
| scars, but sometimes a stronger method of | | | | means that even deep acne scars can be reduced |
| treatment is needed to get the desired effect. This is | | | | with this laser. The CO2 lasers, while highly effective, |
| when laser skin resurfacing may become a | | | | are also associated with the highest level of |
| consideration. | | | | discomfort during the procedure and the most |
| Laser skin resurfacing uses a beam of laser energy | | | | persistent redness afterwards. The Erbium Yag laser |
| to remove the top few layers of skin, taking away | | | | is thought to be a more moderate acne scar |
| the damaged skin so that new and healthy skin can | | | | treatment than the CO2 laser. Its energy wavelength |
| replace it. There are several advantages that laser | | | | can be absorbed by water in the cells, which |
| resurfacing may have over other types of superficial | | | | minimizes the heat damage to surrounding skin. Since |
| scar treatment. First, this treatment is quite quick, | | | | it is more gentle, it can be less effective on acne |
| and can often be performed in a surgeon's or | | | | scars than the CO2 laser, but patients seem to |
| dermatologist's office. It's also been reported that | | | | report a much quicker recovery time and less overall |
| there are fewer scars and less bleeding and bruising | | | | redness in the first few weeks after treatment. |
| than experienced with chemical peels and | | | | Finally, non-ablative lasers are one of the least |
| dermabrasion. Generally speaking, with laser | | | | invasive skin resurfacing treatments for acne scars. |
| resurfacing only local anesthesia is required, although | | | | They stimulate collagen growth under the skin |
| treatment of larger areas of the face may require | | | | without removing the top layer of skin, so that there |
| intravenous sedation. Finally, many doctors claim that | | | | is almost no recovery time at all. The down side to |
| lasers allow much greater precision in the number of | | | | non-ablative lasers is that the effects are only minimal |
| skin layers removed in the treatment, especially since | | | | for severe acne scarring. |
| the physician can observe the effects on acne scars | | | | These are only a few of the more common methods |
| as the treatment progresses. | | | | of laser skin resurfacing, so it's well worth your time |
| This said, laser skin resurfacing might not be the best | | | | to do the extra research. Some lasers are intended |
| form of acne scar treatment for everyone. It is | | | | for specific types of acne scars (either hypertrophic |
| recommended primarily for those with fair | | | | or depressed scars), so you'll want to be sure that |
| complexions whose skin doesn't have a tendency | | | | you're pursuing the right course of treatment for |
| towards allergic rashes. Those with darker skin tones, | | | | your skin. A dermatologist could easily advise you on |
| or who tan easily may experience discolouration or | | | | this. Furthermore, laser skin resurfacing isn't a |
| markings on the treated areas. Also, while the | | | | non-invasive process, so the amount of time you're |
| recovery time is much shorter than for other | | | | willing to spend recovering from the procedure may |
| procedures, healing isn't instantaneous. Patients report | | | | also play a role in deciding the treatment type best |
| weeping of their skin for a few days after laser | | | | suited for you. Acne itself can be quite a traumatic |
| resurfacing, an expected reaction as collagen forms | | | | experience, and the scars left behind may be just as |
| to rebuild the skin layers. Following a few days of | | | | devastating. If over-the-counter acne scar |
| weeping, the skin frequently crusts over, and needs | | | | treatments haven't had the effect you're looking for, |
| to be kept moist in order to protect the recovering | | | | talk to your dermatologist for information about |
| skin. New skin should cover the treated area soon | | | | more serious scar treatment methods, including laser |
| after, and redness should have faded significantly | | | | skin resurfacing. |