Acne breakouts are a fairly common occurrence, especially among teenagers and young adults.
Most of the time, acne is nothing more than a reaction to hormone imbalances and excessively oily skin that becomes less of an issue over time. If breakouts are severe or frequent, however, you may develop lingering acne scars.
If you are considering laser acne scar removal in Silicon Valley as a way to get rid of U-shaped, V-shaped, raised, or irregular, rolling scars, here’s what you need to know about laser acne scar removal.
What Is Laser Acne Scar Removal?
Having laser acne scar removal in Silicon Valley means a laser beam is used to treat the affected area. The laser targets the outer layer of skin (epidermis) where the scar is located. The heat from the laser also stimulates the treated area to facilitate new growth and boost the production of collagen. What’s left behind is smooth, scar-free skin.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for Laser Acne Scar Removal in Silicon Valley?
Generally, patients still experiencing active acne breakouts should hold off on laser acne scar removal until activity has stopped or subsided significantly. All types of acne scars can be treated with laser procedures, including older, previously untreated ones. Laser treatments that target the top layer of skin tend to be more effective on individuals with lighter skin tones. Prior to having treatment, you may also be asked if you are taking medications for underlying health issues, or if you tend to scar easily.
What Types of Lasers May Be Used?
Prior to laser applications, the type of laser beam that will be used during treatment will be selected. This determination is usually based on skin tone and the color and nature of the acne scar. Red acne scars, for example, usually respond well to treatments with intense pulsed light (IPL). Pulsed dye laser (PDL) and potassium, titanyl phosphate (KTP) may also be used on these scars. For brown or dark acne scars, IPL, microsecond pulsed, and YAG lasers are typically used during scar removal procedures. Fractional ablative lasers are the preferred choice for white acne scars.
How Is Laser Scar Removal Done?
Laser acne scar removal in Silicon Valley is often done in a clinical setting where efforts will be made to keep you as comfortable as possible during the procedure. Because laser acne scar removal is a less-invasive skincare treatment, there is little or no downtime other than waiting for skin tissues to heal. You’ll have to leave a bandage over the treated area until the skin heals.
Depending on factors such as skin complexion, scar depth, and the number of acne scars being treated, the time it takes to complete the process can range from a few minutes to an hour or more. Makeup can be applied to enhance the treated area until full healing is complete, which may take several weeks or months.
Results from laser acne scar removal in Silicon Valley will vary based on the specific laser used and the nature of the scar(s) being treated. Some patients only need a few treatments, while others may benefit more from multiple laser treatments spaced out over several sessions. If laser treatments fail to produce the desired results, chemical peels, dermabrasion, fillers, and a newer treatment known as microneedling may be discussed.