Acne Scar Treatments...
Fractional Laser and the treatment of Acne Scars
Since the early 1990s, Ablative Lasers (lasers that burn the outer layers of the skin) have become the high tech equivalent of surgical dermabrasion or deep chemical peels for skin resurfacing. Ablative skin resurfacing with lasers declined in popularity due to the high level of unacceptable complications (particularly loss of skin colour on treated areas) and the development of less aggressive, but equally effective laser treatments.
What are Ablative and Non-Ablative Lasers and how do they work?
A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can be aimed into certain areas and structures within the skin. These beams of light are made up of one wavelength and can vary in terms of their strength and the type of tissue that they can target.
The process of directing a light source to target a selected area of the skin to damage it is technically known as “selective photothermolysis” (thermolysis – decompose by heat and photo – light)
Ablative Lasers
Ablative or skin resurfacing lasers direct an intense burst of laser energy onto the surface of the skin. This energy heats water within the surface layers of the skin, causing both the water and the tissue of the skin to vapourise. Every time the laser passes over the skin, some of the outermost layers of the skin are removed in a precise and controlled way.
This intensive treatment can significantly reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and pigment (or skin colour) changes on the face, neck, and other parts of the body. Acne and other types of scars and certain stretch marks can also be improved.
There are two main types of ablative laser – carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, and erbium:YAG lasers.
Non – Ablative Lasers
Non-ablative lasers have lower energy levels than ablative lasers and try to cause damage within the dermal layer of the skin without removal of the outer epidermal layers. This lessens the recovery period after the treatment and reduces the number of complications that can occur.
New collagen is produced via a heat injury to the dermis, which helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, the results from this type of procedure are less obvious than those which can be achieved with ablative laser skin resurfacing during which the surface of the skin is removed.
Fractional Laser Resurfacing (Fractitional Photothermolysis)
Fractional Photothermolysis causes tiny dot, or pixel-like damage to treated areas in the skin, leaving most of the surrounding skin intact – fractional damage. The key to safely resurfacing the skin is doing it fractitionally, and this can be done with lasers or with needles (Skin Needling). Fractional Skin Resurfacing allows the skin to heal much faster than if the whole area was treated, as the healthy, untreated tissue surrounding the treated tissue acts as a natural bandage whilst the treated area heals.
Fractional Photothermolysis or Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing can be compared to the precise alteration of digital photographs that is now possible; pixel by pixel.
Fractional Skin Resurfacing aims to achieve comparable skin improvements as ablative laser resurfacing without the associated side effects or downtime.
Optimal improvement after Fractional Skin Resurfacing is usually visible in about 2 – 3 months as collagen remodelling and skin tightening continues. The longevity of results is comparable to ablative laser resurfacing and as always is dependent on future ageing, the effects of gravity and sun exposure.
Fractional Skin Resurfacing (Laser Needling) and Acne Scars
Fractional CO2 resurfacing is a very good treatment for certain types of acne scarring. Best suited to rolling or tethered acne scarring, fractional CO2 laser will have minimal impact on small dish or ice pick scarring.
At Clearskincare, we offer a range of solutions for acne scarring and we will assess your skin and advise you on which is the best solution for your scars. With acne scarring, there is no “one size fits all” solution. In most cases you will need a combination of treatments to achieve the best improvement in your scarring. These options include –
Clearskincare is one of the only Clinics in Australia to offer the full range of treatments proven to improve the appearance of acne scarring including – fractional CO2 laser, Skin Needling, subcission, and spot 100% TCA peeling.
We are also proud to offer the most affordable fractional CO2 treatments in Sydney, so that no one who really needs this treatment has to miss out.
The acne scar solutions can be adjusted for each individual.
For further information please contact your closest Clearskincare Clinic www.clearskincareclinics.com.au
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