The advancements in skincare technology and techniques now provide modern treatments for individuals with acne scarring, especially when it comes to laser treatments. Acne scars can significantly impact an individual’s self-esteem and can persist for decades without appropriate treatment. While there are medications available, the medications used to treat acne come with a list of possible side effects and are not suitable for all individuals. Additionally, creams used for acne scarring are topical and only address surface issues.
Thankfully, the laser treatments of today penetrate deep under the skin and significantly aid in erasing scar texture. Here at NuSkinnovation, we combine cutting-edge technology with treatment plans to target even the most stubborn of acne scars. Read on to find out more about what laser treatments we recommend for treating a variety of acne scars.
Understanding Acne Scars: Types Of Acne Scars & Why They Persist
Acne scars are a result of inflammation under the skin’s surface and collagen damage. Many patients face these stubborn marks, whether they are icepick scars, raised hypertrophic scars or shadowy patches of post inflammatory hyper pigmentation.
While over-the-counter creams and serums promise results, they often fall short by failing to address the structural damage beneath the skin’s surface. Thankfully, this is where laser treatments revolutionise acne scar therapy. The process of targeting the dermis to stimulate collagen remodelling allows for natural healthy skin growth.
The Science Behind Acne Scarring And Laser Treatments
Before patients can understand the solution laser treatments offer, they need to understand the science behind acne scarring. Acne which is inflamed can trigger the overproduction of enzymes that breaks down collagen. This creates indentations or depressions in the skin known as atrophic scarring.
Tension within the skin plays a role in these scars. Areas of the body that have tighter skin tension usually suffer from more visible and severe scarring, like the jaw line. Along with scars, post inflammatory hyper pigmentation (PIH) usually accompanies this type of scarring. These dark spots with textured scarring require dual-targeted type treatments to resolve their appearance.
Common Types Of Acne Scars
There are a few different types of acne scars that patients can develop in their lifetime. Icepick scars are narrow, V-shaped scars that extend deep into the dermis and are notoriously difficult to treat with superficial methods like topical creams and ointments.
Boxing scars are identified by their sharp and angular edges. These scars are usually uniform in depth and respond very well to fractional CO2 laser resurfacing.
The third type of acne scarring patients can develop is called rolling scars. These scars are caused by fibrous bands tethering the skin and they create a wavy texture. This type of scarring requires subcision combined with laser therapy to resolve.
Why Topical Treatments Often Fail
Retinoid creams are often used as a topical treatment for acne scarring. This treatment can often improve the skin’s texture but cannot stimulate enough collagen to fill deep atrophic scars. These creams and serums can be costly in the long run and only offer short term solutions to minor skin concerns. Scar remodelling is needed in cases where the scars are too deep in the dermis for topical ointments to reach.
Atrophic scars are indented and are usually more common than hypertrophic scars. Hypertrophic scarring appears as raised scars and can be difficult to treat. These different types of scars need to be approached with different laser treatments.
Some individuals are more genetically prone to excessive scarring due to variations in collagen production and wound- healing. Over time, collagen matures and reorganises into dense fibrous tissue, which is why delayed treatment of acne scarring is more difficult to treat.
The Best Laser Treatments For Acne Scars
Ablative lasers heat the dermis to stimulate collagen production without damaging the epidermis. CO2 lasers penetrate up to 1mm into the dermis, making it the only solution and treatment for Icepick scars. Erbium lasers are usually used after CO2 treatment to dull scar edges.
What all these lasers have in common is that they offer a simple solution for many suffering the aftermath of acne troubles. Laser specialists will create personalised treatment plans based on an individual’s skin concerns and the scar types they have. Based on their skin type, the appropriate laser will be used. These lasers have a longer healing process, but the results are highly transformative. The correct treatment plan combined with patience can dissolve even the most visual scars.
Fractional CO2 Lasers: The Gold Standard For Deep Scars
Fractional laser treatments are by far the best solution for treating deep acne scars. This type of skin resurfacing treatment uses laser light beams and targets a fraction of the skin. The mechanism creates microscopic thermal zones to vaporise scar tissue while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This process allows for faster healing overall.
The controlled damage or micro injuries caused by the treatment stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin, known also as the dermis. Patients can expect to experience 7-10 days of redness and peeling after treatment, but the significant results of this treatment justify the lengthier recovery time.
Erbium YAG Lasers: Milder Alternative For Lighter Skin Laser Treatments
Erbium YAG lasers are a type of solid-state laser used for skin resurfacing. The laser emits a wavelength of 2940nm. This wavelength is absorbed by water in the skin and removes the top layer of skin. This process promotes healthy skin growth and can be advantageous in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.
Hyper pigmentation issues can also be addressed using erbium laser treatments, making it ideal for dual treatment procedures. In some cases, this type of laser is used in the treatment of severe post-burn scarring and is used for patients as a cosmetic solution for disturbing scar tissue.
Non-Ablative Lasers (Fraxel, Nd:YAG): For Darker Skin Tones & Minimal Downtime
Fraxel lasers treat 20-30% of the skin per session, reducing downtime while stimulating collagen. Many dermatologists will use a combination therapy treatment plan to solve severe acne scars.
Patients benefit from CO2 lasers followed by radiofrequency microneedling which boosts collagen even further. The patient’s skin type matters greatly as YAG lasers are by far the safest choice for darker skin tones due to their longer wavelengths bypassing melanin. At NuSkinnovation, we often use Erbium laser treatments to accelerate healing in patients with sensitive skin.
Results, Risks & Aftercare: What To Expect
Laser treatments can deliver transformative results for scar reduction and skin rejuvenation. Achieving the best outcome requires proper aftercare and the managing of realistic expectations. Understanding the healing process and essential post-treatment steps is key to recovery with optimal results.
We will look at the healing process as well as what patients should expect after receiving fractional laser, CO2 or skin resurfacing procedures. Following these guidelines will help patients protect their investment and maintain healthy skin.
Realistic Results & Timeline After Laser Treatments
To achieve the most optimal results for your laser treatments, patience is key. While some patients may see improvements after just one session, most clients require 3-6 sessions spaced in a period of 4-8 weeks apart for optimal results. During this time period, it is crucial to avoid UV exposure which can trigger potential side effects.
Patients can expect redness and swelling after laser treatments which can take a few weeks to subside. Peeling and flaking of skin is expected and may last 5-10 days. Patients may be surprised by the immediate effects post-treatment, but it is important to remember that the top layer of skin will eventually peel off as the new skin replaces old skin.
Patients should not be alarmed as it will only last a week while healing and may experience mild discomfort after the laser treatments. The skin can feel tight and itchy while peeling but moisturising regularly will be crucial to prevent tightness and dryness in the healing process. Patients should carefully follow the instructions laid out by their practitioner.
Post-Treatment Must-Dos
Post treatment care or after care is crucial to achieve the most optimal results. Depending on the treatment, patients who have received CO2 laser treatment should expect the skin to ooze lymph fluid for 24-48 hours after treatment. This might seem worrying to some but is perfectly natural and part of the skin’s healing process.
Regarding pain management, pain levels will differ depending on the laser treatments that have been administered. Most treatments will not be painful afterwards, but some treatments that use fractional lasers may cause slight discomfort. Most patients describe the sensation as a warm, snapping sensation, but this can be easily managed with topical anaesthetics.
Patients should discuss topical solutions with their specialist. Medical grade silicone gel can be applied after peeling, which reduces redness and prevents any abnormal scarring. Patients should avoid UV exposure as it can undo results or cause hyper pigmentation. Using a mineral SPF 50+ is non-negotiable for up to 6 weeks post-treatment.
Patients should monitor for possible infection or pus after day 3. This could be a sign of infection and might require medical attention. Infection can easily be avoided by keeping the area bacteria free. No makeup should be applied to skin for a minimum of a week or longer for ablative laser treatments.
NuSkinnovation: Why Laser Treatments Are Worth the Investment
Acne scars can be a life-long burden that affects an individual’s confidence. Topical creams and medications may offer temporary improvements, though they often fail to address deep structural damage beneath the surface. Laser treatments provide a scientifically proven, long-lasting solution through collagen remodelling. Acne scarring comes in different shapes and forms, from icepick scars to box scars. Each of these types of scars requires a different treatment approach.
Laser treatments selectively target scar tissue without affecting the surrounding areas. Early intervention prevents scars from worsening over time due to collagen degradation. Modern lasers like fraxel dual have reduced downtime from weeks to just 2-3 days for comparable results. At NuSkinnovation, our practitioners are trained annually on the latest laser protocols to balance efficacy with safety.
If you’re struggling with acne scarring and are having trouble using medications or topical creams, NuSkinnovation’s laser treatments have got you covered. Visit our website and get in touch via our online contact form to start your skincare journey today!