The best laser treatment for acne scars varies in accordance to the scar size, scar depth, and overall skin health of the person. A practical solution in deciding the best alternative is to research on available laser treatment options, and decide the one that suits you.
Acne is an irritating skin condition, caused as a result of two main reasons – hypersensitive sebaceous glands and clogging of the skin pores. More than the pain intensity, it is the unsightly skin symptoms that trouble many adolescents. Treating this inflammatory condition is not the end solution, as severe types of acne like papules, pustules, and nodules leave unpleasant scars after healing. An effective method to deal with these scars is using safe laser beams.
Laser therapy is the most effective approach to treat acne scars. Of course, you have other options too, like skin creams, fillers, dermabrasion, and many more. But, the end result is not very impressive, as it is in case of laser treatment. Provided that the laser therapy is performed by an experienced physician and the required number of sessions are conducted, more than 60 percent skin improvement is expected. Some of the treatment methods are discussed below:
Laser Resurfacing
Under this ablative procedure, the doctor uses carbon dioxide laser or Er:YAG laser to remove the affected epidermis layer, so as to promote new growth of skin cells. As this involves creating visible wounds, the healing period is longer (about 2-3 weeks), and the risk factors (e.g., skin redness, infection, irritation) are high. If required, a follow-up session may be recommended 6 months after the first session.
Cost: The total cost for this treatment is approximately USD 3,000 – 5,000. Though this method is associated with skin complications, it helps treat scars located in deeper skin layers.
Fractional Laser Treatment
In terms of less side effects, the fractional method is ideal. What happens in this therapy is that, small wounds are created in the deeper layers of the affected skin. The surrounding healthy skin tissues then help in treating the wounds, as well as the scars. In case of severe scarring, 4-5 sessions are recommended. For better results, the dermatologist may consider this non-ablative method with additional therapeutic procedures.
Cost: On an average, a session of fractional laser treatment costs about USD 1,000. A plus point with this method is lesser skin complications. However, the efficacy is lesser than laser skin resurfacing.
Blue-Light Laser Therapy
This procedure seems most affordable to prospective candidates. A safe laser beam is directed to the affected area to treat scar tissues. Approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), this laser scar removal method calls for 6-8 therapy sessions, each of which lasts for not more than 20 minutes, based on the scar type and individual skin condition.
Cost: It costs less than USD 200 per session. It is not only cheap, but also effective for treating scars. At present, it is the most popular laser treatment.
An important issue associated with laser treatments is the total expense, which usually comes to a few thousand dollars. On a concluding note, do not take this cosmetic procedure very lightly. Take time to outweigh the pros and cons, cost and treatment time, etc. before you finally go for the removal. Also, search for reliable clinics that provide financial solution to customers.
Disclaimer: This BeautiSecrets article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
