Laser - Eliminate Acne Scars and Surgical Scars

Scars are depressions or indentations in the skin that occur after a medical condition such as acne or after a surgical incision. Especially when they’re on the face or other visible areas, scars can carry the stigma of adolescent acne long after the acne is gone, or they can serve as unpleasant reminders of a past surgery.

Causes

Acne scars can occur as the skin heals from pimples, whiteheads and blackheads that form when oil, bacteria and dead cells get stuck below the skin’s surface. Acne scars are typically indented marks or raised, red areas that sometimes give the skin a wavy appearance. Surgical scars, meanwhile, form naturally as skin heals from an incision.

Treatment

Treatment of acne scars and surgical scars requires both the removal of damaged skin and the production of new collagen to improve the area’s tone and texture. Traditional approaches – such as deep chemical peeling, conventional lasers, topical agents and abrasion therapies – usually achieve only moderate results or, worse, they destroy a lot of healthy tissue along with the scar. In addition, these treatments often require extensive recovery time.

Unlike other procedures, Fraxel treatment removes damaged skin on the surface and reaches deep into the skin to stimulate collagen remodeling. In this way, Fraxel treatment improves the elasticity, texture and tone of your damaged skin while keeping your healthy tissue intact – which minimizes any discomfort or downtime. It’s no wonder that doctors consider Fraxel treatment the most effective answer for acne scars:

“In our practice, the Fraxel laser has become the treatment of choice for acne scars. While its safety and efficacy are unmatched, the Fraxel laser is unique in its ability to treat scars off the face – on areas such as the neck, chest and back – and on skin of color.” – Dr. Roy Geronemus, director of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York

“With the Fraxel laser, we’ve seen significant improvement in patients treated for acne and surgical scarring. It is very encouraging for anyone suffering from the physical and emotional pain that childhood scars can cause.” – Dr. Thomas Rohrer, SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, MA

The FDA has approved Fraxel treatment to safely and gently reduce the appearance of acne scars and surgical scars. And according to a study published in Dermatologic Therapy by Dr. Vic A. Narurkar, Fraxel treatment provides more consistent, successful results than any other procedure for treating acne scars.

Prevention

While you can’t change the genetics that sometimes cause acne, you can take these steps to keep skin clean and clear:

• Cleanse with a mild, non-drying soap in the morning, night and after exercise.
• Always remove make-up before bed.
• Clean cosmetic brushes regularly in soapy water, and throw out old make-up.
• Wash your hair daily, especially if it’s oily.
• Keep hair off your face by pulling it back as often as possible.
• Avoid squeezing, picking or rubbing pimples – which can lead to scarring.