Laser Treatment of Acne Scars, Broadway, Sydney

Acne scars come in a variety of forms, each of which responds best to one or more of a range of treatments which includes lasers, skin rolling,  dermal fillers, TCA Cross and surgery.   The anatomy of your scars will determine which treatment or combination of treatments  will achieve the best result.

A variety of lasers can be used to improve the appearance of acne scarring. Some lasers work by smoothing the skin, others by stimulating collagen production in the skin to decrease the depth of the scars, and others by targeting the blood vessels in the scar to reduce redness. Vascular lasers and resurfacing lasers have traditionally been used to treat acne scars.  A newer option is "fractional" laser resurfacing.

Red acne scars will often settle over a period of months. The use of a vascular laser such as the V-Beam can reduce persistent redness over a period of a week or two. Vascular lasers are also often used to help flatten keloid or hypertrophic acne scars.

We recommend 2-3 sessions for best results.

Vascular lasers are often used in combination with other laser and/or non-laser treatments for acne scarring to achieve the best result.

Laser resurfacing with either a carbon dioxide or erbium laser has traditionally been considered the gold standard of laser treatment for acne scarring.

At Heber Davis we use the Erbium YAG laser to smooth the upper layers of the skin to a precise depth. Depth of laser penetration corresponds to the depth of the scars to be treated.

Erbium laser treatment is performed under local anaesthetic, with or without light sedation. Usually one to two treatments are required, several months apart. Immediately following treatment, your skin will be red and weepy. Healing occurs over 7 to 10 days and the treated area may remain pinker than normal for one or more weeks. Makeup or a tinted sunscreen can be applied. Improvement continues for up to six months. 30-70% reduction of scarring can be expected.

Resurfacing is the most invasive of the acne scarring treatments, delivering substantial results in fewer treatments but with more associated downtime. Resurfacing may be full face or limitted to affected areas. 

Medicare rebates may apply for laser resurfacing of acne scarring or scars from trauma or burns. Rebates from exceeding the Medicare safety net may also apply.

Over the last few years, fractional lasers have emerged as an alternative to full resurfacing.  As their name suggests, these lasers treat only a fraction of the skin at any one session, creating hundreds of micro-channels of deeply treated skin amidst surrounding untreated areas. (See diagram below) This results in faster healing times, and reduced risks and complications.  Results accrue more gradually over a course of treaments than when using traditional resurfacing. 

See a video of fractional laser resurfacing

These hundreds of tiny microscopic channels of thermal damage stimulate the body’s own wound healing response - particularly new collagen production. As these channels heal, they fill with collagen and this lifts and plumps the overlying skin to help smooth out scars and wrinkles. The depth and density of these channels can be precisely adjusted to customise treatment for each patient, or indeed, for individual scars. Fractional laser resurfacing can be performed over the entire face, or limited to affected areas. Downtime varies between 4-10 days, depending on the intensity of the treatment.

Results accrue over a short course of treatments spaced at 1-2 monthly intervals. Gentle remodeling of collagen under the skin’s surface continues for 6 or more months after each treatment. Results usually become apparent after the second treatment and continue to improve with subsequent treatments.    

What does fractional laser resurfacing feel like?

The laser works by heating and vaporizing parts of the skin, which means you will feel heat and a prickly sensation. We recommend application of a topical anaesthetic cream for an hour prior to your treatment.

What happens after my fractional laser treatment?

Your skin may feel sunburnt for a few hours. There may be some swelling or pinpoint bleeding for a day or so and your skin will be pinkish for up to a week. Sometimes a fine crusty or bronzed appearance may occur as your skin sheds the dead cells as it heals. Rarely, scabbing can occur.

How many treatments will I need?

This depends on the condition or your and can only be assessed during your consultation. Usually 2-4 treatments are required and we may recommend that these be combined with other treatments for best results.

What other conditions can be treated?

Fractional laser resurfacing also refines pores and improves sun damage, aged sun spots, wrinkles and other scars. It is also be used to improve skin texture and tone and for general skin rejuvenation.