Laser Acne Scar Removal

If you are embarrassed or self conscious about your looks because of acne scars, then you may benefit from laser acne scar removal. There have been several new developments in laser scar removal in recent years that make it a relatively safe and effective procedure for superficial acne scars. Before you discuss this treatment option with your doctor, it is a good idea to become familiar with acne scar laser treatment.

How Does Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scars Work?

Laser resurfacing involves using a laser to send brief pulses of high-energy light through the skin1. The chromophores, which are molecules in the skin that area responsible for absorbing light and producing color, will absorb the light pulse from the laser. This light pulse is then transformed into heat energy, which will vaporize thins sections of skin, layer by layer. New healthy skin will form in place of the damaged skin.

Acne scar laser treatment will usually cause little damage to the surrounding healthy skin. This type of acne scar treatment is most often done on the face, however, other areas of the body can be treated also. Generally, the neck and chest are not treated because the skin in these areas does not heal well.

The newest methods of laser resurfacing are fractional laser skin resurfacing, which treats microscopic columns of skin. This allows for untreated areas of skin to surround the treated areas of skin, which will provide a significant visual improvement without producing a lot of scabbing or bleeding.

Another type of laser resurfacing is the YAG treatment. This is a mild laser treatment and is used on minor wrinkles and other very superficial skin problems.

A unique approach to laser resurfacing for acne scars is plasma skin resurfacing. This type of laser treatment will use plasma energy to vaporize the lower levels of skin while leaving the top layer intact. The top layer of skin will provide protection for the lower levels, allowing them to heal properly.

What to Expect During Laser Treatment for Acne Scars

Before the doctor begins the laser acne scar removal, he will mark the areas to be treated with a pen. Medication may be injected into the areas to numb them prior to treatment. If you have a large area of the face that will be treated, a general anesthetic may be used. You may be given goggles to protect your eyes from the light pulses.

As the laser is passed over your skin, it will send out brief light pulses. Each light pulse lasts less than a millisecond. After each pulse, the skin is wiped with water to cool it and to remove tissue destroyed by the laser. The number of passes the doctor makes with the laser will depend upon the size of the area being treated and the location of the scar.

You may experience a burning sensation on your skin. There will be little or no bleeding associated with these procedures. But keep in mind, if the scars are deep, you may experience bleeding. After the laser treatment for acne scars is finished, your doctor may apply an ointment to the treatment area and cover it with a clean bandage.

What Are the Risks Associated With Laser Acne Scar Removal?

It is difficult to determine the time you will need for recovery from this type of treatment. Recovery times vary depending upon the size, and the depth of the areas treated. However, you can expect the wounds to be red and swollen for a few days. You may experience some tenderness around the treatment areas.

Other side effects that can occur after laser resurfacing for acne scars include infection, color changes of the skin, skin irritation, and swelling of the treatment areas. Side effects should be closely monitored by your doctor.

Laser acne scar removal cost

It is hard to pinpoint an exact cost laser acne scar removal. There are many factors that can influence how much you will have to pay. But if you are wanting to know the average of laser acne scar removal cost you can expect it to be approximately $350 per hour. Of course, this may be more or less depending upon your geographical area.

Laser acne scar removal is a good option when it comes to getting rid of your acne scars. However, this option should be discussed at length with your doctor to make sure it is the right choice for the treatment of your acne scars.

If laser acne scar removal does not sound right for you, there are other less evasive treatments such as microdermabrasion creams. To read reviews of our top three acne scar creams Click Here or to educate yourself further on acne scars please feel free to explore the site.

Source
1 – http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/laser-resurfacing-surgical