If you are suffering from severe or cystic acne, particularly if your acne has resulted in scarring, you may be a very good candidate for laser acne treatment or alternatives to laser acne treatment.
The reason for this is while acne medications can be very effective at preventing and treating existing pimples, they may not necessarily treat the mild, moderate, or severe scarring that can result from large, deep pimples that have ruptured and burst.
There are several types of scars caused by acne.
The first type is ice pick scars, which is the most common type of acne scarring.
Ice pick scars are deep pits in the skin that look like they have been caused by a sharp instrument - like an ice pick.
The second type is box car scars, angular scars most commonly found on the cheeks and temples, and can be either superficial or deep.
They tend to resemble chicken pox scars.
The third type is rolling scars, scars that give the skin a wave-like appearance.
Finally, the fourth type is hypertrophic scars, which are thickened, or keloid scars.
Treatment for scars that have not necessarily been caused by acne include petroleum jelly and cocoa butter, but these products are not suitable for people with acne.
If your scarring is mild, you may not feel the need to take advantage of surgical treatment such as laser acne treatment.
Non-surgical alternatives to laser acne treatment include skin camouflage with non-comedegenic and non-acnegenic products, and tretinoin topical creams that improve fine scars by causing gentle exfoliation and encouraging collagen production.
Another non-surgical alternative to laser acne treatment is the use of injectable skin fillers, where materials are injected into the depressed area of the scar in order to elevate it to the level of the normal surrounding skin.
In addition to non-surgical alternatives to laser acne treatment, there are surgical alternatives to laser acne treatment as well.
One alternative is microdermabrasion, a procedure that uses fine aluminum crystals to exfoliate your skin.
It is most effective on mild scarring if you have at least six sessions spaced apart by one or two weeks.
Another alternative is dermabrasion.
This is a procedure where the practitioner uses a rapidly rotating wire or brush to remove the surface irregularities of your skin.
A third alternative is the surgical removal, or excision, of acne scars.
This treatment is most effective for ice pick scars and box car scars.
The excision generally takes the form of a punch that is closed with sutures, which are then removed a week later.
If you and your dermatologist decide that laser acne treatment is the best treatment for you, take the time to understand what this procedure involves.
Laser acne treatment makes use of one of two different types of lasers, a carbon dioxide laser and an erbium:YAG laser.
The carbon dioxide laser is the stronger of the two.
Laser acne treatment works by damaging sebaceous glands, the glands that produce the oil that clogs your pores and forms plugs.
It also targets the bacteria that trigger inflammation and infections, as well as stimulates the growth of collagen, which softens the appearance of scars.
Laser acne treatment generally requires four to five visits to your doctor, with two to three weeks in between each visit.
While you are receiving laser acne treatment, you may experience redness and tenderness on the areas that have been treated.
Therefore, you will want to limit your sun exposure by applying sun screen and wearing something on your head that shields your face.
If your laser acne treatment is successful, you will probably not need additional treatments for another six months to a year.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to serve as medical advice.
For medical advice, please consult your doctor.