Julia B. 
Acne scars are the unsightly aftermath of untreated adolescent acne lesions. Fortunately with the advancement of latest therapeutic applications for this traumatic skin disorder scientists have developed a number of treatment procedures including laser treatment, which have ensured that acne patients, either old or new, do not have to endure any social embarrassment or psychological pain due to any sort of disfigurement.
How Does It Work
Treatment of acne scars depends on numerous factors. Difference in location, intensity, and number of scars are all playing significant role in determining the right laser treatment for the patient. These treatments mainly work by using various wavelengths of radiations with different intensities. All these factors are modulated depending upon latest situation to contour the damaged tissue. This scar treatment also helps to improve the adjoining redskin marks nearby healed acne lesions. There are mainly two broad classifications of laser treatments:
Ablative lasers: Ablative laser or otherwise known as resurfacing laser are used to remove the external layer of skin. Usually the laser radiation is absorbed by the water molecules present in the cells of affected skin area. This absorption process is followed by instantaneous vaporization of water molecules, thereby destroying the cells of acne scar zone. As soon as the damaged skin layer is removed the natural process of dermal collagen formation speeds up causing the development of new healthy skin texture with less or no visibility of scars. Two most frequently used resurfacing lasers are erbium and ultra pulsed carbon dioxide laser.
As ablative lasers causes the exposure of new unprotected skin layer, there might arise a few discomforts in patients regarding pro skin condition after the treatment; Although most of the patients do not require any separate medication for pain, however, the level of uneasiness might differ from person to person. People undergoing resurfacing laser treatment might face the change of color of the skin to raw, red, or pink with range of uncomfortable symptoms for several days after the treatment procedure is over. It is found that most often topical over-the-counter treatments are sufficient to heal any sort of discomfort arising due to this laser therapy; nevertheless, it is always preferable to consult a doctor for proper advice on alternative pain relief options. Usually it takes about two to three weeks before you could feel the improvement.
Nonablative lasers: Many doctors nowadays prefer to use this laser technique which are believed to be more effective than ablative lasers with little downtime. Unlike resurfacing lasers it does not peel off the external layer of the skin and nor is it injurious to the epidermal layer of the skin. This laser therapy is only meant for bringing change in the dermis without causing any harm to the epidermal layer. Smoothbeam is most frequently used laser of this kind which has been recently approved by FDA for the treatment of acne scars.
Smoothbeam is an advanced multifaceted nonablative laser therapy for acne scarring which usually targets and heats up oil producing sebaceous glands. This in turn reduces the sebum secretion preventing new acne formation. The heating effect induces the production of new collagen in patient’s skin, which thus softens and fills out the deep scar marks from within by lifting them to normal condition.
This laser uses a groundbreaking patented technique along with DCD (dynamic cooling device). This appliance first super cools the affected area with a blast of cryogen spray which is right away followed by laser beam. This combined cooling and heating effect triggers the natural collagen production in the acne scar affected area without causing any harm to our skin.
A number of laser treatments might be necessary to influence collagen formation and healing up acne marks up to the satisfactory limit. Doctors usually opt for three to six sessions at an interval of three to four weeks. However, patients might experience some sort of discomfort associated with this laser technique and therefore use of topical anesthetics is highly preferable before the application of this treatment. Instead of showing so much of improvement in scar removal treatment, this laser might impose some mild side effects which could easily be cured with the supervision of your dermatologist.
A few other nonablative laser therapies are also available. Among them yellow pulse dye laser and N-Lite are quite familiar. All of them principally trigger collagen formation and tightening of dermis, treating keloidal scars, reducing the redness, and finally bringing up a normal, aesthetic, and presentable look of your skin.
Benefits of Laser Therapy
There are numerous advantages of laser treatment for the removal of acne scar. These are normally much quicker and quite effective in healing up the hideous marks on your face compared to expensive ointments and lotions. You have no need to worry about your regimen or treatment procedure as veteran doctors would handle those complicated techniques to rid your severe blemishes, which cannot be cured satisfactorily with topical treatments. However, before opting for any laser therapy you must see your doctor to ensure that you are really fit for that.
