Bothered By Acne Scars? Modern Laser Therapies Are Greatly Improving People's Skin

By Author: Eric S. Schweiger, M.D.
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The Causes of Acne

Acne is a common condition that affects almost everyone at some point in life. Acne also affects over 20 percent of all adults. Everyone knows what acne looks like and people who suffer with acne sometimes lead a life of low self-esteem. Poorly controlled acne can lead to both physical and emotional scars.

The real cause of acne is complex. A major component is the presence of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) which reside in hair follicles. The face is actually covered by a bunch of microscopic hair follicles that we cannot see and do not produce hair.

When P. acne gets into these hair follicles, several different things can happen and people for unknown reasons respond differently. The main event is follicular plugging which leads to the subsequent formation of comedones. This in turn leads to the stimulation of sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum. Inflammation soon follows, causing the big, red inflamed pimples and deeper painful cysts.

How acne scars are formed

When the body has a vigorous response---almost inappropriately strong--to ...
... the acne bacteria, this can lead to a lot of inflammation. Intense inflammation over time cause scarring. Some people are more prone to scarring than others. Some patients with intense inflammation can end up with significant disfiguring scars.

The types of acne scars

There are different kinds of acne scars: ice pick, atrophic, and hypertrophic. Ice pick scars are deep pitted scars with steep edges. Atrophic scars are pitted but have smooth borders and are not as deep. Hypertrophic scars, more common on the back and chest, are thick, lumpy scars that sit above the surface of the skin.

Treating acne scars

In the past, the main treatment options for acne scars included dermabrasion, laser therapy and deep chemical peels. However these therapies did not always produce consistent results. While many times they did lead to considerable improvements, they also had significant risks.. Many patients experienced dyspigmentation (prolonged white or dark areas) and scarring from these procedures, which made them less popular options.

With laser treatments, the main instrument used to treat acne scars in the past was the CO2 laser which essentially removed the entire epidermis and part of the dermis. While many patients had dramatic results, other experiences significant side effects. These side effects included diffuse lighter skin and some patients even got scars from the procedure---especially around the eyes. This laser was also only safe in fair skinned patients and could not be used on patients with darker complexions.

The latest improved laser procedures

The latest procedures for acne scars are the so called "fractional " laser treatments. Compared with traditional CO2 laser resurfacing, these lasers only treat a "fraction " of the skin at a time, leaving the surrounding area intact for faster healing. This vastly reduces the incidence of side effects and has given us the ability to treat all skin types.

There are two different excellent options now available for acne scars. One is called the fractional CO2 laser and the other is the fractional Erbium laser.. Both can treat all skin types, are reliable and have few side effects.

How the new lasers work

Both the Erbium and CO2 fractional lasers poke microscopic holes in the skin down past the epidermis and into the dermis. These holes cause new collagen to be generated which fills in the acne scars and creates rejuvenated smoother skin.

The Erbium fractional laser (of which the most popular laser in this class is the Fraxel Re:store laser) causes one to two days of redness and swelling and requires around four total treatments. But you can still go to work if you want to.

The fractional CO2 laser (the most popular laser in this class are the Fraxel Re:pair and the Mixto laser) causes a wound in the skin which means you can't work for about three to four days You probably don't want to schedule a blind date right after this procedure! Only one to two treatments are required with this laser.

Which laser treatment you choose is really based on how fast you want your scars to improve and how much downtime your schedule can tolerate.

The good news about laser therapy

Both these lasers are excellent and you can expect significant improvement. Most patients report about 50 to 75 percent improvement after the recommended treatment course is completed and patients of all ages and skin types can be good candidates.

Side effects of laser therapy

While laser procedures are safer than they used to be there are still risks. The main risks are still temporary or long-lasting white or brown spots from treatment. Very rarely scarring can still result. For these reasons it is important to be treated by an experienced laser surgeon.

Consult the right doctor

Acne can be disfiguring and it can greatly affect your social life. But there's no need to suffer with modern treatments. Consult a board certified dermatologist to determine which treatment is right for you. That way, you can erase unsightly acne scars, have great-looking skin, and get on with your life.

About Author:

Board certified dermatologist in New York, Dr. Eric Schweiger, offers dermal filler injection and other dermatologic services for many conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, hair loss and more.http://nyccosmeticdermatology.com/