Erasing Acne Scars with Laser Treatments
Written by: Stephanie Bell
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Acne Scars or Skin Changes
Before getting too overzealous with the thought of erasing acne scars through laser treatment, you need to become aware that what you are looking at may not in fact be a scar. Some spots are flat and reddish that can remain on your skin for a time, but eventually fade; these are not scars. Likewise if you see skin discolorations where a blemish used to be, it may simply still be in the stages of healing, so try to leave it alone. If there has been injury to your facial or other tissue (shoulders, chest, etc.), then it may result in a scar. You might be looking at these now.
Acne Scar Laser Treatment, a Possible Answer?
Laser treatment is one option for scar removal. As opposed to a chemical peel or some other options that target the entire surface of the skin, laser treatment focuses only on the specific areas that need help; in this case, acne scars. Lasers are positioned over the area and through different wavelengths and intensities they essentially burn off the top level of the skin where the scar is. From there, the skin can start over, grow anew. This treatment leaves permanent results; the scar is gone. Other treatments, such as microdermabrasion, can mean multiple visits.
Potential Drawbacks to Acne Scar Laser Treatment
Even if laser treatment does remove several scars, it is not meant to prevent new ones from forming. You will be responsible for making sure your acne is under control as much as possible. Understandably, this can be difficult, but in order to avoid constant laser treatment, finding a way to do so can save you a lot of money, as laser treatment can cost a lot of money depending upon which doctor you see. To add to this, you have to be prepared to deal with a little extra redness. While the lasers are precise and effective, they are still taking off a certain amount of skin, and this will leave your skin a little red for weeks and depending upon the strength of the laser, sometimes months.
Weigh the Cost and Results
Ultimately, the decision is up to you; how much you can afford, how much work you need or want to be done, and how often you think you may need it. Before you make any definite choices, you should always consult either with a dermatologist or a doctor who specializes in laser treatment to have a better idea when you should have the procedure performed and whether or not your skin is prepared for it.
