What to Expect from Laser Acne Scar Removal Treatments

Have you decided to invest in laser therapy to correct acne
scarring? What do you expect to get for your money- a
completely new look? You should because these services
aren't cheap. No matter what your aims for laser skin
corrections are, by using medical reviews of leading laser
treatments for acne scarring, you can have a clearer idea
of what to expect after your laser treatment.

Most appraisals of the effectiveness of laser skin
enhancements are two-sided because both the patients and
study-independent physicians typically access the level
improvement in acne marks.

While these post-treatment assessments are not
standardized, they still offer a glimpse into the potential
cosmetic outcomes from using laser treatments. Besides
cosmetic changes in the skin, another variable that you'll
need to add to your review of laser treatments is the
overall number of treatments required to see dramatic
changes in the skin.

What follows is a rundown of what to anticipate from four
different laser procedures for treating acne scarring along
with estimates of how many treatment you will need.

Laser 1

1,064-nm Nd:YAG pulsed light system Marketed names include
PhotoSilk Laser

Last year, a study in Dermatologic Surgery tested the
efficacy of the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser at removing acne
scars. Nine patients received eight treatments for moderate
to severe acne scarring. Three independent physicians
assessed the overall improvement level of acne scarring
severity for the group at 29.36%.

Treatments: 8 Improvement rating: 29.36%

Laser 2

1,320-nm Nd:YAG Marketed names include CoolTouch Laser

An investigation from the same journal featured eight
patients with facial acne scars. The group received eight
treatments with the 1,320-nm Nd:YAG laser. After five
treatments, independent observes assessed the overall acne
scarring improvement rate between 40-60 %.

Treatments: 5 Improvement rating: 40-60%

Laser 3

1,450-nm diode laser Marketed names include Smoothbeam Laser

In a split test comparison between the 1,450-nm laser and
1,320-nm laser at treating mild to moderate atrophic
(indented, or lost skin tissue) acne scarring, the 1,450-nm
laser demonstrated greater improvement in acne scarring.

Laser 4

1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser Marketed names include
Fraxel Laser

Just this past March, a study in Dermatologic Surgery
tested the 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser on fifty-three
patients with mild to moderate atrophic facial acne scars.
After three treatments, two independent reviewers judged a
51-75% improvement in the scarring of 90% of the study
participants.

Treatments: 3 Improvement rating: 51-75%

Remember, these ratings are based on the improvement levels
patients coping with mild to severe acne scarring
experienced after various laser treatments. As Dr. Rohrer
explained, it is difficult to predict what your skin will
look like after a laser treatment for acne scarring because
many of the patient assessments during the studies were
based on opinions of before and after photos.

To reduce the uncertainty surrounding laser correction of
acne scars, ask your laser surgeon for before and after
images of laser cosmetic procedures she has performed in
the past months. Then judge the overall acne scarring
improvement level for yourself.

Sources:

Alster, Tina; Elizabeth L Tanzi & Melissa Lazarus. The Use
of Fractional Laser Photothermolysis for the Treatment of
Atrophic Scars. Dermatologic Surgery; March 2007, vol 33,
no 3, pp 295-299.

Lipper, Graeme M & Maritza Perez. Nonablative Acne Scar
Reduction after a Series of Treatments with a Short-Pulsed
1,064-nm Neodymium:YAG Laser. Dermatologic Surgery; August
2006, vol 32, no 8, pp 998-1006.

Rohrer, Thomas E. Ethics in Cosmetic Laser Treatments. Skin
and Allergy News; May 2007, vol 38, no 5, pp 14-15.

Sadick NS & AK Schecter. A Preliminary Study of Utilization
of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Acne
Scarring. Dermatologic Surgery; July 2004, vol 30, no 7, pp
995-1000.

Tanzi, Elizabeth L & Tina S Alster. Comparison of a 1450-nm
Diode Laser and a 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser in the Treatment of
Atrophic Facial Scars: A Prospective Clinical and
Histologic Study. Dermatologic Surgery; February 2004, vol
30, no 2, pp 152-157.

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Naweko Nicole Dial San-Joyz pioneered the acne trigger
approach to naturally controlling acne in her
internationally published book, "Acne Messages". San-Joyz
continues to serve the acne community by developing
customized acne scar removal treatments for the face and
body. If you want free tips for naturally removing acne
scarring, visit http://www.Noixia.com .