Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment For Acne Scarring: Expert Explains The Procedure, Benefits, And Risk Factors<!-- --> | OnlyMyHealth

Long-lasting acne can have a negative impact on the skin, leaving acne scars behind. The treatment of acne scars begins once active acne is addressed and brought under significant control. Acne, being an inflammatory process, often heals with scarring, which occurs due to the alteration in collagen in the skin. If there is a degradation of collagen during the healing process, this can lead to atrophic acne scars, which occur as pits on the skin.

We spoke to Dr Andrea Rachel Castelino, Consultant Dermatologist, DermaZeal Clinic, Bengaluru, who explained fractional CO2 laser treatment for healing acne scars.

“Atrophic scars are of three types - the ice pick, box and rolling types of acne scars. If during healing, there is an excess production of collagen, this can lead to a thickened and heaped-up scar, termed a hypertrophic acne scar”, said Dr Castelino.

She added, “Normally, when we address the treatment of acne scars, we refer to the atrophic scars, which appear as depressed pits on the skin. Unlike acne, when it comes to acne scar treatment, topical creams and ointments often prove to be ineffective. Hence, it must be addressed with effective treatment procedures.”

Also Read: Unveiling The Gut-Skin Connection: An Expert's Guide to Understanding and Clearing Acne

Microdermabrasion is one such procedure which is used for acne scars. In this, aluminium oxide crystals are rubbed against the skin, physically exfoliating it and encouraging collagen remodelling.

Micro-needling with derma rollers is a procedure, in which micro-channels are created in the skin, thereby encouraging new collagen formation, which improves the scars.

“The latest treatment for acne scars involves the use of a fractional CO2 laser. This laser emits a fractionated beam of light, which breaks into small columns of light, penetrating the scar tissue of the skin. This stimulates the production of new collagen, helping to alleviate acne scars”, said Dr Castelino.

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The Fractional CO2 Laser treatment is ablative and does have 3-4 days of downtime consisting of mild redness. However, there are no restrictions on going out or heading back to work after the procedure.

“One of the advantages of this modality is that it treats only small fractions of the skin at a time while leaving the surrounding skin untouched. A numbing cream is applied half an hour before the procedure, after which the procedure is relatively painless”, said Dr Castelino.

It is advised to get the laser sessions done once a month only under the supervision of a dermatologist and with the number of sessions determined upon consultation with them.

A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy examined patient satisfaction following fractional laser therapy for acne scars. The findings revealed an impressive satisfaction rate of 80%, as patients reported improvements in scar appearance, increased self-esteem, and overall contentment with the treatment outcomes.

Fractional CO2 laser treatments are also versatile and can be combined with platelet-rich plasma therapy, in which growth factors from one's plasma can be given to the treated area. This enhances the reduction of acne scars.

The treatment of acne scars can require patience and persistence. However, the fractional Co2 laser treatment is a boon that has proved to be effective in addressing and hastening the process.

[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any skin issues to get the necessary treatment.]

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