For many adolescents and young adults, acne is a troublesome disorder that causes periodic blemishes on the face, back, neck and chest. These blemishes usually heal on their own or with over-the-counter medications, leaving behind a new layer of skin that's blemish-free. In some cases, AcneNet says, acne lesions heal in the wrong way, leaving scars that are raised above the surface of the surrounding tissue or depressed below the level of the skin. Laser surgery can be effective against both types of scars.
History
Dr. Eric F. Bernstein, a clinical associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania and practicing dermatologist, described the evolution of laser surgery for acne scar treatment. Carbon dioxide lasers, the first laser tool available to dermatologists, destroy the outer layer of skin in addition to underlying scar tissue. Since that time, however, scientists have developed other kinds of lasers that leave the top layer of skin intact and healthy.
Types
The online Patient's Guide to Acne Scars describes three varieties of lasers available to treat acne scars today: ablative, non-ablative and fractionated lasers. According to the DERMAdoctor website, ablative lasers include carbon dioxide and YAG lasers. Non-ablative lasers, such as the pulse-dyed laser, the N-Lite and the newer Smoothbeam laser, offer less destructive options for acne scar treatment. Newer fractionated lasers such as the Fraxel and Affirm round out the available forms of laser surgery for acne.
Effects
According to the DERMdoctor website, ablative lasers act by removing the top layer of skin, burning away scar tissue and heating collagen protein in the underlying skin until it tightens the skin area. Non-ablative lasers target lower skin layers, including the oil-producing glands, and also tighten lower layers of the skin by heating collagen. Fractionated lasers work by encouraging remodeling of acne scars and have little or no effect on the top layer of skin.
Side Effects
According to the Cleveland Clinic, acne laser surgery may have some unexpected results. For example, it might reactivate a herpes simplex cold sore, leave affected areas vulnerable to bacterial infections and leave the laser-treated area a darker color than the surrounding skin.
Recovery
Recovery time after acne laser surgery varies according to the type of laser used and the extent of the procedure. If patients have laser skin resurfacing with a carbon dioxide laser, for example, they'll notice itching and stinging for 12 to 72 hours after the treatment. Patients can expect skin on the treated area to slough off within five to seven days, and then heal sometime within 10 to 21 days. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the patient's skin may be reddened for two to three months after the procedure. If the treated area is still darker than the rest of the skin at that time, patients may want to talk with their dermatologist about bleaching treatments to even out the color.
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