Fractional Laser Therapy for Acne Scars
After winning the acne war and achieving clear skin, many former acne sufferers find that their faces are still marred by scars. There are a number of over-the-counter and doctor-administered treatments for acne scarring. For many patients, fractional laser therapy can deliver the desired results with less pain and recovery downtime than other aggressive treatment methods. Does this Spark an idea?
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How it Works
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In fractional laser therapy, only small, damaged areas of the skin are treated. Like other laser treatments, fractional laser therapy uses an ablative laser light beam to vaporize upper skin layers affected by scarring, revealing smoother, healthier skin underneath. Physicians use carbon dioxide or erbium:YAG lasers to perform the procedure; some dermatologists use a combination of both laser types in treatment.
Comparison with Other Methods
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Most clinical treatments for acne scarring, including chemical peels, involve more recovery time than fractional laser therapy. Because laser treatment targets only affected areas, results are achieved with less pain and unsightly redness and swelling. Complications are relatively rare, but the treatment is costly. Dermanetwork says the therapy is at least twice as expensive as chemical peels or dermabrasion, and acne.org forum participants report paying about $800 for a single laser session.
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Effectiveness
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According to Biocutis, most people who undergo fractional laser therapy need to four to six treatments to get the results they want. Most patients notice improvement in just two or three sessions. Although laser skin resurfacing can reduce the appearance of deep acne scars, laser therapy works best on surface-level acne scarring, where a patch of scarred skin is darker than the healthy skin that surrounds it. For best results, some dermatologists use a combination of clinical treatments, relying on laser therapy to improve the appearance of pigmented scars and chemical peels or dermabrasion to treat pitted or bumpy scars.
Side Effects and Recovery Time
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Immediate after effects of fractional laser therapy include mild redness, swelling and dry skin. These side effects only last a few days and are no more uncomfortable than a sunburn. Although pain and discomfort subside in a short period of time, full skin recovery can take anywhere from eight to 12 weeks, according to Dermanetwork. Patients notice gradual improvement over time, and the benefits of fractional laser therapy are most noticeable after the full recovery period passes.
Long-Term Risks
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In most cases, patients recovery quickly and without complications, but more serious and long-term side effects are possible. In rare situations, patients experience additional scarring (which is severe in some cases), infection and permanent, undesirable changes to skin pigmentation. To avoid complications, Biocutis suggests that patients look for a board-certified physician with lots of experience. People with darker skin are especially prone to unsightly pigmentation changes, and their skin should be spot tested with the laser prior to undergoing full treatment.
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References
- Photo Credit face image by Tomasz Wojnarowicz from Fotolia.com
