Acne scaring is a permanent unwanted legacy from inflammatory acne. Over the past several years effective, safe treatments have been developed that have consistently improved unwanted scars.

Non-ablative lasers deliver an intense burst of light into the deeper layers of the skin. This energy directly stimulates new collagen that helps reduce the scars in the skin. Non-ablative lasers leave the overlying epidermis intact resulting in little or no recovery after each treatment. Non-ablative lasers have been a popular treatment option for acne scars because of the excellent results, little down time and low risk of side effects.

FAQ
How many treatments are needed?
3-4 treatments with monthly intervals between treatments.

How much improvement can I expect?
After 3-4 treatments, 20-30% improvement is expected. Acne scars remain but are improved.

How painful are the treatments?
The laser light is fired into the deep dermis of the skin. This results in pain. All patients have a topical anesthetic applied in our office 30 minutes before the treatment and with it are able to tolerate the procedure with minimal discomfort

What will I look like after the procedure? When can I resume regular activities?
The laser does produce some temporary redness in the skin. The redness fades in 20-40 minutes in the vast majority of patients. Patients are able to resume regular activities right after the procedure.

How long will the improvement last?
It is expected to last many years.

How much improvement can I expect?

The amount of improvement varies depending on the type of acne scars. During your consultation, we will give a realistic estimate.

Ablative lasers were the “gold standard” in the treatment of acne scars in the late 1990s and early 21 century. They produce a 30-40% improvement in acne scars for patients. Their chief challenge is the 1-2 week recovery needed after the procedure. The introduction of non-ablative lasers and improved fillers has made ablative lasers less popular.

Next: Botox