Acne Scar Resurfacing: Laser Treatments
Acne scarring is a consequence of an inflammation caused by infection. If the inflammation is severe, you will end up with extensive scarring. For this reason, it is vital to learn how to treat and control your acne breakouts.
Usually, a regular cleansing routine plus an acne cream will help control most cases of mild and moderate acne. However, for people with more severe forms of acne, they will need to undergo medical supervision. Nevertheless, there are times when even medical supervision isn't enough to deter scarring.
This is where resurfacing techniques come into play. In the past decades, several resurfacing methods have proven to be effective in treating acne scars. Some of the most popular treatments include microdermabrasion for acne scars, chemical peels and laser treatments.
If you want to rid acne scars from your skin then laser therapy is the most effective and least damaging of the 3.
There are several different types of lasers that can be used for resurfacing acne scars. The most common are usually Er:YAG lasers or CO2 lasers, but fractional lasers are also standard issue for the treatment of acne scars.
Er:YAG laser stands for Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet lasers. This type of laser is known to emit an infrared, 2940 nm wavelength. The frequency of this type of laser is more strongly absorbed by water than its CO2 counterpart, and can be used in conjunction with CO2 lasers so that you can take full advantage of benefits of each type of laser.
This type of laser is often used to treat darker-skinned people that have atrophic scars. Side effects often include erythema, edema, itching and burning sensations. Recovery period is relatively short, but you should follow your doctor's indications for the best results.
CO2 lasers are often used to treat deeper wrinkles and scars. Advancements in technology have allowed doctors to used pulse or scattered beams to produce the least amount of damage. This allows a stronger laser to be used, producing more dramatic effects.
The time it needed to recover from CO2 laser treatment is more extensive than with Er:YAG lasers, furthermore, the side effects are also more intense. They produce skin problems such as hyperpigmentation, infections, swelling, and the reactivation of a herpes simplex cold sore.
Treatment done using fractional lasers basically uses the same types of lasers with a different type of beam. Fractional lasers treat skin problems by delivering a dispersed beam that only affects the cells it touches. This allows for a short recovery period.
It also allows for the use of stronger, more effective beams to be used. Which, as a result allows for more impressive results and less side effects.
Another type of skin resurfacing technique used to treat acne scars is microdermabrasion. BIOSKINEXFOL is a great acne scar removal cream that can be used as an alternative to traditional microdermabrasion. What's the secret? The perfect mix of abrading micro crystals and snail serum which make this natural product capable of helping you soothe and regenerate damaged skin.
Published February 15th, 2010
Filed in Skin Care
