Acne is a medical condition that is primarily caused by hormones and genetics. The breakouts primarily occur during adolescence, a time of life when a person's personality and self-worth are developing and fragile. Unfortunately, acne breakouts can cause embarrassment and shame.
Eventually the acne breakouts diminish and the blemishes heal. However, even though the bumps are gone, the telltale scars remain. These scars can range from minor discoloration on the skin surface to deep pit-like scars that change the total appearance of the skin. Like acne, these scars can cause enough embarrassment to cause a sufferer to seek scar- removal treatments. Luckily, laser treatments have emerged recently as an effective way to minimize or completely remove acne scars.
Beautiful, Acne Scar-Free Skin Is Possible with Laser Treatments
How It Works
A laser treatment works by using a pulse of intense light to penetrate the first layer of skin and access the second layer. The laser light works to stimulate collagen and cell renewal while tightening the skin simultaneously. The older, damaged layer of skin is eliminated, allowing the healthy layers underneath to emerge.
This process can be painful, but dermatologists normally use a local anesthetic to numb the treated areas for maximum- patient comfort.
Number of Necessary Treatments
The laser scar-removal process damages the top layer of skin as part of the rejuvenation process. Completing the whole treatment at once would cause the patient serious discomfort, along with an extended healing time. In addition, treating small areas at a time ensures the best possible results because the focus is on rejuvenating a small portion of the skin instead of the whole face. Downtime after treatment on a small area is also short, allowing the patient to go about day-to-day life almost immediately.
The focus on small areas means that several doctor-office visits are necessary to fully treat the acne scars. The number of visits it will take varies from patient to patient. A typical acne-scar patient will require at least five monthly visits to see concrete results.
Cost
Laser acne-scar treatment is the top-of-the-line choice for those who want results; they come with a cost and the cost isn't cheap. The actual charge per treatment will vary from doctor to doctor, but the average cost across the U.S. is around $792. This means a five-session treatment plan will cost the patient almost $4,000. Laser treatments are normally considered cosmetic, meaning that most health insurers will not cover the charge. Many doctors understand this and work with patients on payment plans and financing, so the cost doesn't become a barrier to treatment.
Other Options
The cost of laser acne-scar treatment can be too expensive for some patients, even with payment plans and financing. Advances in cosmetic medicine allow for other acne-scar treatments that are less expensive and just as effective as laser procedures.
Minor acne scars can benefit from topical treatments containing alpha-hydroxy acids or tretinoin like Retin-A. These treatments work to gently slough off the top layer of skin over time. Chemical peels are also an option for minor scars. A chemical peel involves applying an acidic treatment to the face. This acid essentially peels the top layer of skin off the face. This leaves the skin looking red and raw; but after healing, it looks completely new and fresh.
More severe acne scars can benefit from stronger treatments like dermabrasion and microdermabrasion. Dermabrasion involves using a strong wire brush to physically slough off the scarred skin. This can be painful and leaves the skin looking red and raw for weeks. Microdermabrasion is gentler: It involves using a wand with suction and an abrasive end to massage off the damaged layer. It's almost painless and downtime is minimal, but more than one treatment may be necessary for good results.
Prevention
The absolute best way to treat acne scars is to prevent them. Acne sufferers should refrain from picking any active blemishes. Instead, use topical acne treatments and a warm washcloth to reduce swelling and redness. It's also important to maintain a good skin-care routine that includes a medicated cleanser, toner and moisturizer.
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