You don’t have to live with unwanted scars. Rocky Mountain Laser Center at CSDERM, Colorado Springs, CO, offers advanced laser treatment options to revise scarring caused by acne and other conditions. The procedure is safe and has high patient satisfaction rates. Ultimately, laser scar removal aims to restore a near-normal appearance.
Schedule an appointment today to talk to one of our scar removal laser treatment specialists:
2 convenient locations:
CENTRAL COLORADO SPRINGS
NORTH COLORADO SPRINGS
What causes scars?
Depressed scars are caused by tissue damage from the pustules of severe acne or other skin trauma and the body’s response to cell destruction. These scars are made of contracted strands of collagen that the body has developed to recover from acne or other skin trauma. The repairs aren’t usually as smooth as the original skin, as strands tend to pull in, leaving saucer-shaped indentations made even more visible by the shadows they cast. Though many scars caused by acne are relatively minor and heal quickly, if there is a deep beak in the wall of the pore, the infection can spread to the surrounding skin, causing deeper damage.
Reference: American Academy of Dermatology Association
Are there different kinds of scars?
There are two main kinds of depressed or atrophic acne scars.
- ‘Icepick’ type scars – small yet pronounced holes in the skin.
- ‘Boxcar’ scars are depressed areas similar to chickenpox cars. They are usually round or oval-shaped with deeply angled sides and are often caused by tissue damage from the pustules of severe acne.
How can acne scars be treated with laser therapy?
Several laser therapies can treat acne scars. Laser treatment aims to level out the skin’s surface so that the scarred skin and adjacent tissue look more alike, thus minimizing the appearance of scars. This is accomplished by stimulating additional collagen production, helping the skin return to a near-normal appearance. The type of treatment used will be determined by many issues, including the type of scar, the severity of damage, and where scars are on the body.
Fraxel ReStore
Fraxel Restore, a highly effective fractional laser treatment known as fractional photothermolysis, treats a small percentage of the skin with a calibrated laser beam at each treatment session. Tiny columns of skin are treated, leaving adjacent skin undamaged. Each laser beam creates intense heat within the epidermis below the scarred tissue. The scarred skin responds to this controlled damage by growing new collagen, causing the tissue under the scar to rise, making the scar shallower and less noticeable. This fast-healing procedure has almost no risk of infection and can be used on the face, chest, abdomen, neck, thighs, arms, and hands.
Who is a candidate for this treatment?
Most patients tolerate Fraxel ReStore well, although you should avoid the treatment if you have had problems with wound healing or keloid formation. Patients with darker skin or those who have used Accutane within the past 12 months are also poor candidates.
What can I expect from treatment?
Fractional treatment can be scheduled aggressively or more mildly, providing minimal or no disruption to your routine. It takes time for the body’s healing capabilities to form the collagen that smooths out the difference between normal and scarred skin.
What can I expect after treatment?
You may have redness or pinkness, swelling, and mild to moderate sunburn-like pain for four to eight hours after the procedure. Though the discomfort only lasts briefly, using cool packs or moist clothes should provide relief.
How many treatments are required?
Multiple sessions lasting about 30 minutes are required for optimal effectiveness. The intensity and number of treatments will be determined by several factors, including:
- skin type
- size of the area to be treated
- location of the treatment area
Before treatment, you’ll have a complete skin evaluation, giving you a better idea of your options.
Are there side effects?
Though most patients have little problem with the procedure, you may have pigmentation issues, scarring, pain, crusting, burning, acne-like breakouts or milia, and small white bumps on the skin.
Our RMLASER locations
We offer cosmetic laser procedures at two RMLASER locations in Colorado Springs, CO:
Central Colorado Springs
170 Parkside Dr
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Phone: (719) 471-8560
North Colorado Springs
2060 Briargate Pkwy, Ste 150
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: (719) 471-8560