Residual scarring is common among acne patients. If you still have scars from a previous outbreak, you should try laser treatment. It promotes the growth of new skin cells.
The procedure helps get rid of acne scars by breaking up the scar tissues. It is important to note that this type of treatment for acne scars doesn’t eliminate the scars. It simply reduces their appearance to minimize the pain they cause.
Unfortunately, not every acne patient is eligible for laser treatment. If your skin is wrinkled or has a darker tone, you shouldn’t consider laser treatment. You can always ask your aesthetician for alternatives. Following is what you need to know about laser treatment for acne scars.
The Procedure
Laser treatment uses heat to remove residual scarring from your skin. As a result, the acne scars become less noticeable, and your skin starts to smoothen. Moreover, the treatment reduces inflammation, improves healing, and encourages new and healthy cells to grow.
Types of Laser Treatment
They are several types of lasers that aestheticians use to treat acne scars. They include pulsed-dye, carbon dioxide, and erbium YAG laser. The type of laser used will depend on the type of residual scarring. The different types of laser treatment include:
1. Ablative Laser Resurfacing
This type of laser treatment mostly helps reduce acne scars by removing the upper layer of the skin. It uses CO2 lasers or erbium YAG.
2. Non-Ablative Resurfacing
It uses infrared lasers to treat acne scars. It aims to boost collagen production and encourage the growth of new and healthy skin cells.
3. Fractionated laser treatment
If you have an icepick or boxcar scar, then this is the ideal treatment. It uses fractional lasers to remove darkly pigmented cells.
The Cost of Laser Treatment
The amount you pay for laser treatment varies. It will depend on the number of scars, number of treatments, size of the target area, and the provider. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that laser treatment costs range between $1,100 and $2000. Since there are several providers, you must research to find the one that fits your budget. The good thing about laser treatment for acne scars is that there isn’t recovery downtime. You can resume your daily activities the next day.
Risks and Side Effects
You are likely to experience swelling, redness, and pain after and during laser treatment. You also risk getting an infection or hyperpigmentation. However, it will depend on the type of laser used, the number of treatments, and your skin type. The pain from the treatment will only last for an hour.
Preparations
Two weeks before going for laser treatment, ensure that you make some lifestyle changes. Do not smoke, take aspirin, or use skin care products with retinol.
Laser treatment is one way to make acne scars less visible. However, you should consult your aesthetician to ensure that this type of treatment is ideal for you. Contact Envee Aesthetics to learn more today.
