Best Laser for Removing Acne Scars

Removing acne scars is incredibly difficult without laser technology. While there are countless creams, serums and lotions that contain ingredients that can fade acne scars slowly, they are nowhere close to being as effective or efficient as laser therapy. Advancements in laser therapy for acne scars over the past decade have made acne scar removal more efficient than ever before. Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting is home to some of the most cutting-edge lasers on the market, and our board-certified dermatologists have received specific training on how to use laser technology to safely remove acne scars.

Popular Types of Laser Treatments for Acne Scars

There are multiple types of lasers that can remove acne scars. One popular type is an ablative laser that works by removing (ablating) the outermost layers of damaged skin. Ablative lasers can remove full fields of treated areas of skin or they can be fractionated, meaning they vaporize microchannels of the skin. The surrounding skin is left intact to promote rapid recovery, while the microchannels trigger your body’s natural wound-healing response to promote new cell growth. There are other types of laser treatment that use non-ablative wavelengths and broadband light to remove acne scars. Your board-certified dermatologist will help you decide which type of laser treatment is ideal for your individual situation with acne scars. Considering that acne scars can be quite stubborn and difficult to fade, a combination of laser treatments will likely be recommended.

Considerations for Choosing Lasers for Acne Scars

Advancements in laser technology have made the acne scar removal process much more comfortable. In the past, considerable downtime was required and it was often painful, and the risk of scarring from the laser itself was notable. Today’s lasers are much more customizable and can be finely tuned to provide the experience you desire. If your schedule does not allow for much downtime, a series of less aggressive laser treatments can be conducted to provide results that improve over time. If you prefer to experience more downtime and fewer treatments, your board-certified dermatologist can personalize your laser treatment to accomplish that goal. Your dermatologist will consider the type and severity of your acne scars when recommending the type and strength of laser treatment needed to remove them. However, rest assured that your goals for results and downtime will always guide our laser treatment plans.

Other Solutions for Acne Scar Removal

Injectable dermal fillers can be considered for pitted or textured acne scars that have created crater-like indentations on the skin. Dermal fillers temporarily fill the void created by the acne scar to create a smooth appearance. Even though this is not a permanent fix, it is an appealing choice for certain patients with severe boxcar acne scars. Other treatments that can reduce the appearance of acne scars without the need for laser therapy are BroadBand Light (BBL™) therapy, RF microneedling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, HydraFacial MD and platelet-rich plasma therapy. To treat the redness or other pigmentation issues caused by acne scars, your dermatologist may recommend BBL, DenaVe laser treatments or ClearSilk treatments.

Maintaining Acne Scar Removal Results

Skin maintenance is an important consideration before undergoing acne scar removal treatments. Since new breakouts can interfere with the results, getting acne under control is a worthwhile first step. Your board-certified dermatologist can recommend an effective skincare regimen that will help prevent future breakouts and also preserve your acne scar removal results. Wearing sunscreen daily is essential while the skin is healing from acne scar removal treatments, but it is also important to wear sunscreen daily after the skin has healed to help preserve the results and prevent sun damage.

Choosing the Right Acne Scar Treatment for You

We know how detrimental acne scars can be to a person’s confidence. Reversing them without the assistance of lasers or other in-office treatments is extremely difficult. Choosing the right acne scar treatment in our office can send you on your way to smoother, brighter, more even skin faster. When you work together with one of our board-certified dermatologists, your goals and unique skin type will be considered to assemble a laser treatment strategy for your acne scars.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our acne scar laser treatments by calling 610.828.0400.