Acne outbreaks can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially when they appear right before an important event. In many cases, the discolored marks go away—but sometimes more severe, inflamed breakouts of deep cysts and nodules are harmful to the surrounding skin and tissues. They rupture the internal pore walls and can leave behind permanent scars during the healing process if the body produces too much or too little collagen in an attempt to correct the damage. Our Laser & Dermatologic Surgery Center practice in St. Louis provides Fraxel for acne scarring. This is a highly effective skin resurfacing treatment for various skin concerns, including scars, wrinkles, age spots, sunspots, melasma, and more. Here’s how Fraxel Restore Dual® treatments work:
Although they can’t completely remove scars, lasers are a popular cosmetic procedure for minimizing the marks left by previous acne breakouts. The scars can look lighter and less elevated after the procedure. In addition to the face, these treatments are also commonly used on the arms, back, upper torso, and neck. Fraxel not only enhances the tone and texture of the outer layer, but also uses tiny columns of energy to target the deep skin layers.
The fractionated device makes tiny channels in the skin, leaving large areas of the skin unharmed to encourage faster healing and resulting in less downtime. The controlled, small injuries promote the skin’s natural healing processes in the deep layers to stimulate collagen and elastin remodeling so that newer, healthy skin takes the place of the older, damaged skin that’s removed. It’s believed to be the best laser method for targeting acne scars and is safe for all skin tones.
Recovery typically takes around a week, and patients commonly experience some redness, swelling, and peeling. To avoid future scarring and protect your sensitive skin after laser treatments, apply a broad-spectrum and high-SPF sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and don’t expose unprotected skin to direct sunlight for at least the first three months after your sessions.
Is Fraxel laser treatment the best choice for you? Find out more about Fraxel for acne scarring by contacting the Laser & Dermatologic Surgery Center team in St. Louis. Call us at (314) 878-3839 or send us a message.
