For some of us, hearing the word acne scar is reason enough to experience bouts of anxiety. While for most people, it is a common skin condition that often clears up on its own or by making specific lifestyle changes.
The story can be vastly different for the others, where stubborn acne wreaks havoc into their lives, leading to multiple visits to the dermatologist or cosmetologist in hopes of finding a miracle treatment.
And what’s worse than an acne breakout is the unwanted parting gift it leaves behind – acne scars. Despite being hated by all, it’s a reality that most people with severe acne have to deal with in the aftermath of a breakout. Fortunately, there is a way out of it.
Laser scar removal, also known as laser resurfacing, is a revolutionary cosmetic treatment that helps reduce the appearance of scars by removing damaged skin layers and stimulating healthy cell growth.
If you have been interested in laser scar removal in Melbourne for a while and want to know whether it is right for you, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we will take a deep dive into understanding this cosmetic procedure to help you make an informed decision about making an appointment for your laser resurfacing session.
But before we go there, let’s look at the cause behind acne scars.
How Do Acne Scars Occur?
Acne scars occur when the body tries to repair damage after breakouts penetrate the skin and cause damage to the tissue underneath it. Acne breakouts cause inflamed lesions in the form of cysts, papules, and pustules that cause blemishes on the skin.
When a follicle or pore gets filled with bacteria, dead skin cells, or oil, it can trigger a break. Minor breaks usually heal quickly, but deeper breaks can get infected and damage healthy skin tissue.
In the aftermath, the skin may heal from the breakout, but not perfectly, which is the primary reason behind the developing scar tissue. The risk of scarring tends to increase when a person struggles with inflammatory acne for a long time.
Because of this reason, it is essential to seek treatment as early as possible.
How Does Laser Acne Scar Treatment Work?
Laser resurfacing for acne stimulates the growth of new and healthy skin cells. It can help by reducing the appearance of scars, decreasing pain or itchiness, and giving the skin near the scar a better range of motion.
During the session, your doctor will use a laser to penetrate the skin’s outer layers and remove the damaged layers. It will stimulate the skin to grow new cells while replacing the old and damaged tissue to make the scars appear more uniform.
There are a variety of laser devices available in the market. Depending on the type of laser your doctor will use for the treatment, your doctor will remove the skin’s top layer and penetrate the deeper layers to target your acne scar tissue from within while keeping the surface intact. Your doctor will evaluate your scars closely to determine which laser which be the most effective.
Is Laser Resurfacing Effective in Removing Acne Scars?
Laser skin resurfacing can help in reducing the appearance of acne scars, but don’t expect it to remove them entirely. The goal of the treatment is to make your scars less noticeable, and laser therapy is quite effective.
Not only will the treatment reduce the redness surrounding the scars, but it will also make the skin texture even smoother.
Ideally, you will require a couple of sessions to witness a noticeable difference in the appearance of your acne scars. In most cases, your doctor will combine other treatments that work with laser resurfacing to improve results.
How to Prepare Your Skin for Laser Resurfacing?
If you’re keen on getting the best results from laser therapy, preparing the skin effectively before the procedure is essential. Here are a couple of things that need to be avoided before the treatment –
- Sun exposure
- Supplements or medications that can cause bleeding
- Harsh cosmetic products
- Smoking
- Other cosmetic treatments
Is Laser Resurfacing the Right Treatment for You?
You must seek a consultation with a professional before you go ahead with laser scar treatment. Laser resurfacing can provide fantastic results, but in some cases, it can lead to further skin damage.
Because of this, your dermatologist will carefully examine your skin type and acne scars to understand whether the treatment benefits you.
Skin laser treatments in Melbourne work best for people with light skin tones with dark scars, but they can also work on other skin types.
Ideally, you need to be physically healthy and free of any skin diseases, including active acne, near the treated area to be eligible for this treatment. Your doctor may not recommend this procedure if you smoke or can treat the scars using over-the-counter treatments.
