Acnes are probably the most common skin problem worldwide. Regardless of gender, many people suffer from acne, and later some of the acne accumulated a new problem called acne scars.
If you have ever had acne, you probably have come across people asking you not to pop the acne, as doing so increases the risk of acne scars. But whether popped or not, many acne still left the mark of their existence on people’s faces.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne scars are a part of the healing process. After the acne is gone, when the skin attempts to correct the damage, that is done by the blemish. The skin produces collagen to heal the skin where the acne appears. If the amount of collagen produced is too little, you will be left with a concave scar. And if the collagen production is too much, you will have a raised scar.
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Regardless of the type and appearance of the scar, all acne scars make us a little or more self-conscious, just like the acne itself. So whenever there is an acne scar, you try to find ways to reverse the inflammation caused by the breakout effectively.
This article discusses one of the most popular treatments for acne scars- laser treatment and how laser treatment has become one of the choicest treatment procedures for patients suffering from acne scars. Please read the article till the end as we will tell you everything about laser treatment you need to know before going for your first ever laser session.
Before That, Have A Look At The Type Of Acne Scars That Exist
When an acne breakout damages the deepest skin layers alongside causing damage to the tissues underneath, it forms acne scars. Before looking for treatment options to fix your acne scar, you must know what type of scar you have.
Since the correct diagnosis leads to the proper treatment, it is better to assess your acne scar and pick the suitable treatment modality that responds appropriately to your acne scars.
Additionally, when it comes to our skin treatment, skin tone is an essential factor. For people with darker skin, deeper skin laser treatments are not recommended as those treatments increase the chance of further pigmentation and scarring. Therefore to treat acne scars on people with darker skin tone, dermatologists first pre-treat the skin with 4% hydroquinone and then perform treatments like lasers, chemical peels, or micro-needling.
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Now Let’s Look At Different Types Of Acne Scars
You will be surprised knowing that in 95% of people with acne, Vulgaris acne scar occurs. However, there are two primary classifications of acne scars depending on whether they result from a net loss of collagen or a net loss of collagen. Acne scars that occur due to the loss of collagen are called atrophic acne scars, and the ones that happen due to an increase in the level of collagen production is called hypertrophic and keloidal scars.
Depressed Or Atrophic Acne Scars
These are the most common type of acne scars on the face. In more than 80 to 90% of patients, atrophic acne scars occur most frequently compared to hypertrophic acne scars and keloids. Atrophic acne scars are scars that can heal below the usual layer of the skin tissue. When the skin becomes incapable of regenerating tissues, it leads to the birth of atrophic scars and leaves behind imbalanced scarring.
Not only acne but chicken pox also leads to atrophic scars, and sometimes people may have this type of scars after removing a mole.
The indentation forms three different types of scarring:
Boxcar
Boxcars are wide and U-shaped acne scars with sharp edges. And they can be shallow or deep. Shallow scars respond better to any resurfacing treatment as compared to deeper scars. Though chemical peels and microdermabrasion are excellent treatment options for treating almost all types of acne scars, laser resurfacing is recommended for people suffering from a boxcar.
It is necessary to perform a laser treatment cautiously in darker skin tones as any mistake can lead to more scarring and pigmentary changes in the skin tones.
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Ice Pick Scars
These are V-shaped, narrow scars that reach deeper into the skin. By appearance, they might look like small round or oval holes similar to chicken pox scars. Ice pick scars are the most difficult to treat because of their excessive penetration into the skin surface.
Rolling
Rolling scars are wide depressions with rounded and irregular edges.
Hypertrophic Acne Scars And Keloids
Hypertrophic acne scars are thick, raised scars that occur due to an abnormal response to acne healing. When a different connective tissue forms in the original acne area, it results in hypertrophic acne scars. Usually, the acne on the top skin layer heals, and new skin forms once the wound heals. Our body responds to deeper wounds differently by making more collagen to repair the wound. As collagen is thicker than our normal skin, this thicker and less flexible tissue forms a scar.
Most of the time, that scar is hypertrophic or can lead to becoming a keloid. The visible difference between hypertrophic and keloid scars is the amount of area in which it spreads around the original wound. If it is a hypertrophic acne scar, the connective tissue will form within the original wound and stay within the area of the acne. And with keloid scars, the extra connective tissue will extend beyond the original wound area.
Before you start treating your acne scar, it is crucial to get diagnosed by a dermatologist or a healthcare professional to identify what type of acne scar it is. They determine the best methods to treat those scars and ensure that the marks on your skin don’t lead to any other skin condition.
The Solution Is Laser Treatment: The Most Effective Acne Scar Treatment
After acne, when the scars appear on your face, it seems like double punishment as first, you had to deal with the acne, and now the marks as a reminder of their existence. Acne occurs when the hair follicles on our skin become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. A clogged follicle is a perfect place for the growth of bacteria, creating red, pus-filled bumps known as acne.
Whether you suffer mild acne, moderate acne, or severe acne, scarring can be caused by all of them. But the more severe forms of acne, the more likely it will leave permanent scars on your face. Soon after the scars appear on your face, it is vital to treat them to avoid further scarring.
Though the treatment of acne scars depends on how severe the scars are, in the current scenario, laser treatment for acne scars is the most recommended by dermatologists.
What Is Laser Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing can successfully remove the skin layer by layer with precision. And new skin cells form during the healing process, giving your skin a tighter and younger-looking surface. Laser resurfacing is performed under a cosmetic surgeon’s supervision or by a cosmetic surgeon.
How To Prepare For Laser Resurfacing?
The first step of laser resurfacing is a one-to-one consultation with a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the treatment. If you get fever blisters or cold sores around your mouth, you must inform your doctor beforehand, as laser treatment can trigger breakouts in many people at risk.
Once your doctor decides to go ahead with laser skin resurfacing on your skin, the doctor might ask you to stop taking certain medications or supplements, including vitamin E, aspirin, and ibuprofen. Those medications must be stopped at least ten days before the laser treatment.
Also, if you smoke regularly, the doctor might ask you to stop smoking two weeks before and after the procedure. Smoking slows down the healing process. Your doctor can also prescribe certain antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections and antiviral medications and keep you safe from cold sores and fever blisters.
What To Expect From Laser Resurfacing Or Laser Treatment For Acne Scars?
As mentioned earlier, an aesthetician or a dermatologist performs laser resurfacing treatment, an outpatient procedure. Therefore, laser treatment does not involve staying overnight at the hospital. The doctor can treat acne scars around your mouth, forehead, or entire face if necessary.
The dermatologist often prefers numbing the treatment areas with local anesthesia. But anesthesia is generally required when your entire face is being treated. Laser treatment for acne scars takes about 30 to 45 minutes. But if you opt for complete face treatment, it can take up to 2 hours.
Next, your doctor will bandage the treated area, and you will need to clean the treated area 4 to 5 times a day after 24 hours of the treatment. The doctor will also recommend certain ointments such as petroleum jelly to prevent scab formation.
Some patients might experience mild swelling after laser treatment, which is normal. But if the swelling is severe, your doctor might prescribe you steroids to manage the swelling.
You may feel a little stinging or itching for 24 to 72 hours after the procedure. And after 5 to 7 days after the laser treatment, your skin will dry. It takes up to 21 days depending upon the severity of your problem, to heal after laser resurfacing. And once your skin is healed, you can start wearing makeup to minimize redness and other visible signs that will subside within a few months.
Your skin might look way lighter for a while after the surgery. And therefore, it is essential to use a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays. While selecting a sunscreen, ensure it is more than SPF 30. Moreover, you need to limit your sun exposure time, especially between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Wear protective clothing to protect your skin alongside reapplying your sunscreen every 2 hours if you are out or sweat too much.
After laser resurfacing, it is mandatory to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated. Therefore you can use skin products, including glycolic acid and Retin A, after about six weeks or when your doctor says you can.
How Is Laser Treatment Done To Treat Acne Scars?
Laser resurfacing or laser treatment for acne scars is a non-invasive and painless method that brings better results without the discomfort that comes with surgery. To reduce the appearance of acne scars, dermatologists use this fractional laser technology which is very powerful in reversing scars and blemishes. This technology works without affecting the surrounding skin and gives a quick solution to people eagerly waiting for smoother and gorgeous skin.
In laser skin treatment, microfine laser light penetrates the skin’s deep layers to better the skin’s support system. These short light pulses stimulate the skin’s natural rebuilding tendencies to repair the damaged cells and tissues and lead to the production of elastin and collagens. Elastin and collagens are the fundamental and essential building blocks of healthy and supple skin.
There is another type of laser treatment for acne scars in which the scar is completely removed, and in this method, powerful laser technology is required to remove the skin layers near this car.
The Fraxel laser method is known to be the quickest in treating the scars painlessly, and the doctor performs this treatment after applying an ointment to create a numbing sensation.
What Are The Benefits And Risks Of Laser Treatment For Acne Scars?
Before starting your laser treatment for removing acne scars, your dermatologist will openly discuss the potential side effects and risks associated with the procedure. The side effects of laser treatment depend upon the type of laser being used to treat your condition. Other factors also contribute to the side effects, including the severity of the acne scar and the patient’s skin tone.
The side effects laser treatment for acne scars brings are minimal, and the most common side effects include:
· Discomfort
· Skin crusting
· Skin discoloration
· Swelling
· Minor bleeding
If the person undergoing laser treatment is not an appropriate candidate for the laser treatment, the procedure can hurt the scar’s appearance.
What Is The Cost Of Laser Treatment For Acne Scars In Hyderabad?
Laser treatment is done merely for cosmetic reasons. And this procedure is not covered by any medical insurance company. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the financials before undergoing the procedure.
Many dermatologists and clinics offer laser treatment for acne scars and have different packages for acne scar removal, and the price range varies between ₹7000 and ₹20,000 per session. Numerous factors contribute to the price, including the size of the area treated, the severity of the problem, the clinic’s location, the dermatologist’s experience in laser therapy, and more.
Remember that the price we mentioned above is not a flat price for all the clinics in Hyderabad. Therefore, it is better to find the nearest clinic to your location or a clinic that you prefer and know the exact cost of laser treatment for acne scars.
Why Does The Price Of Laser Treatment For Acne Scars Vary?
Here are the factors that influence the price of laser treatment for acne scars:
The size of the scar– The size of the scar plays a pivotal role in analyzing the modality of treatment and also the number of sessions required. The more sessions you require, the more money you will need to pay the dermatologist or aesthetician.
Depth of the scar- If your scar is penetrated more deeply into the skin, you will need more laser treatment sessions, which will involve a higher cost of treatment.
Type of acne scar-We already know about different types of acne scars. Different types of acne scars require different types of treatments. Sometimes the doctor might suggest a single treatment modality, whereas in many cases, dermatologists combine more than one treatment for better results.
Conclusion
Remember, the dermatologist or medical practitioner always decides the treatment modality based on the acne scar’s severity and the scar type. Therefore don’t start preparing your mind to go for a laser treatment before you have undergone a thorough diagnosis by an experienced dermatologist. However, if you have already met your dermatologist and have been advised to go for laser treatment for acne scars, it is time to find the best clinic that offers them. choose.clinic helps you find the best clinic for laser treatment for acne scars in Hyderabad. All the clinics we suggest are proven effective for scar removal with efficacy and precision. Visit the website and start searching for an advanced laser clinic to eliminate your acne scars. Book an appointment today.
