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Does Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scars Work?

Laser resurfacing is a type of surgical procedure used for the treatment of acne scars and is also used for removing and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Laser is actually an acronym which means it is formed from the first letters of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

How Does Laser Resurfacing Work?

A laser is a highly intensive beam of light which directs radiation and energy to a specific area.

It removes the top layers of the skin, under controlled circumstances, to expose the lower skin levels. These are then treated with a lower intensity laser to heat the area involved and stimulate the growth of collagen. The wound will then heal and the scarred area be replaced by softer, less scarred skin.

What Does Laser Resurfacing Involve?

Laser resurfacing is normally performed by a cosmetic surgeon. Surgery can be done under local anesthetic during which the patient remains awake. The speed of recovery from local anesthetic means the patient can normally be treated and released in one day.

General anesthetic is also used which means the patient is unconscious throughout the procedure. Recovery from general anesthetic is longer than that of local anesthetic so may entail an overnight stay in a hospital or clinic.

The procedure can take anything from minutes to one hour plus depending on the size of the area being addressed.

Does Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scars Work?

Cosmetic surgeons say that laser resurfacing is highly effective for the treatment of shallow acne scarring. However, it is not appropriate for removing deep scars nor is it recommended where acne is still present.

Cosmetic surgery is of course big business and therefore endorsements from cosmetic surgeons themselves have to be treated with some degree of cynicism. However, in independent studies done amongst those who have had laser resurfacing, more than half of those questioned said they felt the treatment was worth it.

Results do seem to vary from person to person.

Risks of Laser Resurfacing

From a surgical point of view the procedure is considered uncomplicated and low risk. Of course all surgery carries some risks and undergoing general anesthetic has risks all of its own.

There is some risk of infection after the procedure has been completed. Recovery to complete healing may be slow for some people.

The laser resurfacing itself is pain free as the patient will either be numbed through local anesthetic or unconscious. However, once the anesthetic has worn off, patients do experience different levels of pain, reported in some cases to be quite severe.

Laser resurfacing is an expensive and often painful procedure. Before committing yourself to this line of action for acne scarring, speak to your doctor who may be able to recommend less invasive and less costly alternatives.

Article by expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton’.