Introduction:
Acne scars are a dreadful disease. It nags the patient’s skin, and when it gets over, it leaves scars behind. Scars from acne are like a double punishment. First, one needs to deal with pimples, and now there are scar marks as a reminder. Laser treatment for acne scars is one of the most searched online content about beauty. It is considered just a beam of light to make the acne disappear. Learn more about the laser treatment for pimples and pimple scars.
How Does Laser Treatment Work for Pimples?
The laser treatment works by heating the hemoglobin inside the blood capillaries and removing the scars from the skin.
Firstly, the heat from the laser works by removing the top layer of the skin where the scar is present. As the top layer of the scar breaks off, the skin will appear smooth, and the appearance of the scar will be less noticeable. As the scar tissue breaks off, the heat and light from the laser allow new and healthy skin cells to grow. By the laser's heat, the blood flow is drawn to the area, and the inflammation is reduced. Hence, this makes the acne scar look less raised by giving it a smaller appearance. It also helps in the healing of the skin.
What Are the Targeted Areas in Laser Treatments?
While lasers for acne scarring are commonly used on the face, they can also be employed on other areas prone to acne scars. These areas include the arms, back, upper torso, and neck.
What Are the Different Types of Lasers Used in the Treatment of Pimples and Pimple Scars?
Phototherapy, which includes both UVA, UVB, and blue-red light, is known to have beneficial effects on acne or pimples. Some of the lasers have also been found to be effective in reducing active acne. Active acne means acne which is red or has pus. The laser is also useful in improving acne scars. The use of carbon dioxide lasers and Er: YAG lasers (erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) for treating acne scars is well known. Other lasers which are found to be useful are flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser and diode laser.
CO2 Laser 10600 nm and Er: YAG Laser:
These resurfacing lasers induce rejuvenating skin changes through open epidermal and dermal wounding on ablating the skin surface.
Flashlamp-Pumped Pulsed Dye Laser 585 nm:
PDL lasers are found to be useful in inflammatory acne lesions. This laser beam rapidly moves across the face for 15 minutes. It causes non-lethal healing by its selective action on the superficial vasculature in the upper dermis, which is believed to act on inflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris and acne rosacea. The nonablative lower fluence also induces stimulation of cutaneous procollagen through altered local cellular metabolism and improves acne scars.
DIODE 1450 nm:
This diode is absorbed by tissue water, which is its principal chromophore. It penetrates to the depth of the papillary dermis, where, on its absorption, it induces thermal injury up to 400 to 500 micrometers in the form of dermal healing. This thermal profile matches the anatomic depth of sebaceous glands, leading to thermal injury and a change in their activity and function. This laser is useful in treating active inflammatory lesions and sebaceous hyperplasia. Dermal heating also induces collagen remodeling, thus bringing about clinical improvement in acne scars.
Both the flash-lamp and diode laser systems have incorporated an epidermal cooling system to avoid and reduce the side effects and complications, such as pigmentary changes and superficial scarring.
How Many Sessions Are Typically Required?
The number of sessions required for laser treatment to address pimples and acne scars can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the type of laser used. However, it is common for patients to undergo multiple sessions, usually ranging from 3 to 6 sessions, spaced several weeks apart, to achieve optimal results.
What Is the Duration of Laser Acne Scar Removal?
Each laser session typically lasts less than an hour. The effectiveness of treatment may not be immediately evident, but patients should observe reductions in acne scar appearance within 7-10 days.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Treatment?
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Bloodless Procedure: People who are scared of blood can choose this treatment to get their acne scars treated.
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Safer for All Skin Types: Whether the person is light-skinned, dark-toned, or somewhere in between, CO2 laser therapy works well for all patients of all ages.
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Resolve Deep Scars and Pits: It not only helps with superficial and shallow scars but also with deep indentations. By triggering collagen regeneration, the treatment can tighten the skin and give a taut appearance that complements facial features.
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It is less harsh than the traditional methods.
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Healing Process Less Intense and Decreases Downtime: It only affects the troubled tissue and leaves the adjacent tissue alone. Hence, healing can be better and quicker.
What Can Be Anticipated Following the Procedure?
After treatment, the ASDS dermatologist will dress the treated area. Patients should clean it after 24 hours and then four to five times daily, applying petroleum jelly to prevent scabbing. Expect swelling for 24 to 48 hours, itching or stinging for 12 to 72 hours, and skin peeling within five to seven days. Healing typically takes 10 to 21 days, during which oil-free makeup should be used, sun exposure avoided, and moisturizer applied to the new skin.
What Are the Side Effects of Laser Treatment?
There are some side effects when using laser treatment for pimples and pimple scars, and these side effects vary according to the kind of laser used or depending on the type of skin and the number of laser treatments the person needs.
The typical side effects are:
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Redness.
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Pain at the site of the treatment.
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Swelling.
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Discomfort.
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Discoloration of the skin.
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Minor bleeding.
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Skin crusting.
Conclusion:
There are various reasons for a person to get acne, which cannot be resolved by self-treatment. So, one may need a treatment like a laser treatment, which can provide the person with better results. Laser treatment is in demand nowadays because youngsters prefer it, as it gives a quick response with minimal side effects.
