Mark Bradford asked:


A scar is an unwelcome guest on everyone’s face, and makeup is one weapon that most people use to fight against it. It is a remedy that could work to a certain extent, especially if the scar is mild, but laser scar treatment offers a far more effective and lasting cure for an acne scar problem.

The face is not the only place where scars make their appearance, even though that is where they are most conspicuous. A scar may not only be the aftermath of acne, but also a wound, a burn, or a surgery. Either way, it is the symbol of skin’s healing mechanism, but the fact does not make it very appealing to the one who has to bear its brunt. Lots of people try creams and lotions to cover up their scars. These may be partially effective but laser treatment is bound to be far more effective than any such creams or gels. It is a treatment that is not very cumbersome, and the recouping time from the procedure will be at the most two days.

The device used in laser treatment is operated by the doctor with his hand. The laser beam is turned directly on the scar tissue. The patient would not feel any pain worth the name during the treatment, though there may be a snapping or stinging sensation on the skin. The treated area will remain swollen for a time, though recuperating is pretty fast normally. The only precaution required is avoiding sunlight completely for a month till the skin is fully healed.

Laser scar treatment for acne scars has recorded a good percentage of success. At least 50% reduction of the marks has been recorded in all cases, with up to 80% success rate in many cases. Individual skin condition, or body constitution, may influence the results, but overall success rate has been quite satisfactory. It may not be possible to get the deeper scars to do the vanishing trick fast, though for the smaller scars, exposure to laser for up to 20 minutes is seen to be sufficient for scar removal. But extra sessions, or longer sessions do an effective job on larger scars also. Laser treatment is effective on all the following three types of scars.

Keloid scars are reddish purple. They are firm and raised and may extend beyond the initial wound area or grow larger with time.

Hypertrophic scar is a pink, raised scar, which does not encroach into areas outside the original injury, and could even shrink with time.

Unlike the other two, atrophic scars are depressed ones, withdrawing into the skin. The most common cause of an atrophic scar is acne.

If you need laser acne scar treatment, you should ideally inform the doctor about how you happened to get the scar and how long you have been having it. The doctor will then be able to suggest the best treatment and provide other details like healing time and expenses.

Eileen Childs asked:


Although teenagers are the ones who suffer most from acne, many adults can suffer from it too. Acne can consist of occasional unwanted outbreaks to chronic severe outbreaks. Along with acne often comes the unwanted side effect of scarring. Acne scars can last a lifetime and for some people, they are cosmetically significant enough to cause a loss of self esteem, psychological stress or even *******.

Acne Treatment Types:

There are a number of treatments for acne on the market today. Some can be purchased over the counter, whereas others require a prescription. This includes topical bactericidals, topical and oral antibiotics, topical and oral retinoids, hormonal treatments and laser treatments. As antibiotics have become increasingly ineffective due to overuse, we are seeing an increase in acne laser treatments.

Acne Laser Treatments:

More and more people are opting for acne laser treatments today to remove acne or acne scarring. People who are considering acne laser treatment, should keep in mind that this sort of treatment really should be considered as a last resort. Treatment of severe acne scars depends on their shape, depth, and location.

During laser resurfacing, a laser pen is held just above the acne or acne scar tissue. A concentrated beam of light is waved back and forth over the area, vaporizing the unwanted tissue and developing a new skin surface for growth. This is where the term laser resurfacing comes from. After the laser treatment, new collagen will form.

Types of Acne Scars:

There are a number of different types of acne scars and the type of scar as well as the severity can determine the type of laser treatment required.

Ice pick scars – Deep pits, most common acne scarring.


Box car scars – Angular scars similar to chickenpox scars.


Rolling scars – Scars that give the skin a wave-like appearance.


Hypertrophic scars – Thickened, or keloid scars.

Associated Pain

There is pain involved with acne laser treatments. Some people describe it like a rubber band being “snapped” against the skin. Deep laser treatments can often require anesthesia.

Associated Cost:

The cost of acne laser treatments depends on where you live, if multiple treatments are required and how much work is being done. A full face acne treatment is much more expensive then a treatment involving smaller sections of skin.

What You Can Expect Afterwards:

Make sure you plan for plenty of time off after your procedure. It isn’t unusual for a patient to experience both pain and swelling after an acne laser treatment. This can vary from person to person, but usually lasts for a week to ten days. During this time, the patient should not wear make up.

Doctor Consultation:

If you are considering an acne procedure, you need to do your homework. Talk to a few different doctors; check prices and check patient reviews.

By keeping all of the above tips in mind, you should be able to make a much more informed decision about laser acne treatments. Keep in mind that this doesn’t guarantee your results, but it will increase your chance of a more positive outcome.