Acne—just about everyone has had acne at some point in their lives. For some, this is a common skin condition affecting more than 50 million Americans, and it will clear up on its own or by changing your soap. For others, acne is the bane of their existence, leading to dermatologist or plastic surgeon visits and trials of different creams and products.
Severe acne can cause scarring either immediately after disappearing or later in life. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “As we age, acne scars often become more noticeable because our skin loses collagen.”
Acne scarring results from deep breaks in pore walls that spill infected material into surrounding tissue and cause lesions. Your skin will attempt to repair this by forming new collagen fibers, which aren’t as smooth as the original skin.
How do you fix it? A significant form of treatment is laser skin resurfacing.
What Is Laser Resurfacing?
Using lasers to resurface the skin (also known as a laser peel) is a non-surgical solution to removing acne, dark spots, and other marks. The laser’s heat eliminates the skin’s top layer, which contains the scar. Once removed, the heat attracts blood to the area, reducing inflammation. The heat and light work together to support regenerating healthy, new skin cells. Although the process decreases the appearance of scarring, it doesn’t completely eliminate it.
Depending on the type of scarring, physicians utilize one of three types of laser resurfacing: ablative, non-ablative, and fractionated. The ablative technique uses either erbium YAG or carbon dioxide lasers, both of which remove the entirety of the top layer of skin. In non-ablative resurfacing, infrared lasers stimulate collagen production. Fractionated treatments use fractional lasers to support tissue growth while removing darkly pigmented cells under the top layer of skin.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
A good candidate for laser resurfacing doesn’t have active acne but lasting, visible scars. This procedure is not typically suited for patients with deep wrinkles or excessively sagging skin. People who have darker skin tones may be at risk of healing with hyperpigmentation. Consult Dr. Paul Vanek, a board-certified plastic surgeon, to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
How Do You Prepare for a Treatment?
Because it’s a non-invasive procedure, there isn’t too much you’ll need to do to prepare. Typically, you should avoid taking aspirin or blood thinners and smoking two weeks before. It would be best if you also refrained from utilizing skin care products with retinol.
During your consultation, Dr. Vanek will tell you if you need to begin a skin care regimen six weeks before to prepare your skin for treatment and minimize complications. Consult with your doctor about additional measures you should take.
What Does the Procedure Entail?
When you arrive for treatment, Dr. Vanek may numb your skin with a local anesthetic, sedative, or both to relieve discomfort. Afterward, your face will be cleaned, and you may be given eye protection. Then, the doctor will administer laser light over the area using one of the three resurfacing techniques.
During the procedure, you can feel small, temporary heat flashes in the treated area. Once the treatment is completed, a specialized dressing will be applied to protect the skin. The entire process takes 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the area of your body that needs resurfacing.
What Areas Can It Help?
Although many patients undergo facial laser skin resurfacing, the treatment can also target the arms, back, upper torso, and neck.
What Is Recovery Like?
After laser resurfacing, the treated area may feel like you’ve gotten mild sunburn and appear red, with some swelling. It’s also normal to experience stinging or itching in the days afterward. About five days later, your skin will become dry and peel, revealing new, pink skin. Total recovery time can take one to two weeks. However, you can get back to work in one to two days.
Dr. Vanek may ask you to do a few things to help you recover and achieve your desired results. These can include:
- Cleaning the area with saline or diluted vinegar solution two to five times per day
- Applying a customized skin care treatment
- Use generous amounts of sunscreen to protect the sensitive, new skin
- Utilizing ice packs during the first few days
- Elevating your head with an additional pillow each night
How Much Do Laser Treatments Cost?
These procedures aren’t typically covered by insurance. There are a few factors that affect treatment costs:
- The size of the area being treated.
- The number of scars you want reduced.
- The number of treatments required.
- Anesthesia.
- Surgical facility fees.
- Prescription medication prices.
What Are the Risks & Side Effects?
Generally, if you enlist an experienced surgeon to perform your procedure, there are minimal temporary side effects. These can include swelling, redness, or light pain similar to sunburn. The latter should only last a few hours after treatment, while the redness can remain for several days. In rare cases, laser treatment can cause hyperpigmentation and infection.
Dr. Paul Vanek at Mentor Plastic Surgery and MedSpa has the expertise necessary to lighten your scarring and revitalize your skin. Call (440) 205-5750 or schedule a consultation online today!
