Laser scar removal, also known as laser skin resurfacing, is a procedure that makes use of high energy light to vaporize the uppermost layers of skin that has been scarred by acne.  There have been significant advances in the technology that makes this type of treatment possible, and now precisely controlled levels of penetration of the skin by the laser are attainable. Using powerfully focused light from the laser, highly specific vaporization of skin tissue is achieved.  As the layers of skin are removed in this way, scars and blemishes disappear and the surface of the skin becomes smooth.  All of this makes  laser scar removal treatment one of the most effective acne treatments available today.

Laser scar removal has proven to be quite a blessing to chronic acne sufferers who have never experienced the desired results from any of the creams, lotions and other products or treatments they may have tried.  Usually satisfactory results are achieved in just one laser acne treatment, but occasionally several sittings are necessary.  The laser scar removal surgery itself doesn’t take too long;  generally an hour is all that is needed.

Despite the high laser scar removal cost, many consider it to be the best acne treatment available today.  For most people dramatic results are seen in just the first sitting, with as much as 60%-80% of scars visibly removed.  One drawback of this kind of laser acne treatment, however, is that there are longer recovery times when compared with other forms of treatment.  Recovery for this kind of treatment takes about 12-18 days, depending on the skin of the patient.  During that time there may be varying degrees of discomfort experienced, as well as some redness and swelling in the areas that have been treated.  For this reason the dermatologist will sometimes prescribe an antibiotic and a cream to be applied to the affected areas.

It is usually a good idea to follow some general precautions just before and just after laser acne treatment.  For example, try to avoid direct exposure to the sun.  If you need to be outside for any length of time, then use a sunscreen.  One with an SPF of 30 and above is recommended.  Also, avoid scratching and picking at the scars, as this will make your condition worse than it already is.  It is also a good idea to avoid swimming around the time of your treatment.  Following these common sense guidelines, and others recommended by your doctor, will increase the likelihood of you having a positive treatment experience.

One more thing.  Acne scar laser treatment is not inexpensive, as I alluded to before.  In fact, depending on the degree of scarring and the exact treatment option you select, laser scar removal prices can be as high as $1000 to $10,000.  Unfortunately, most health insurance plans do not cover this kind of laser scar removal.

While less severe cases of  acne are not too difficult to control with the well known over the counter benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatments,  the more severe cases are difficult to treat with these products.  Laser acne treatment is regarded as a very effective treatment option in these more severe cases, and it is quickly replacing more traditional forms of anti acne skin care as the best acne treatment choice.

Effective in treating active cases of acne as well as scarring from past cases, laser acne treatment is a relatively quick and painless outpatient procedure usually performed in a dermatologist’s office.  In the acne laser skin treatment procedure, scarred and damaged tissue is removed from the skin with the use of a laser pen and a concentrated light beam that is moved over the affected areas.  While many are quite happy with the results after just one laser treatment for acne, some with the most severe cases will need to undergo additional treatment sessions before the procedure is effective.  In any case, for most people, the results of laser acne treatments are amazing.

One major disadvantage to laser acne treatment is the cost.  It is not cheap. In fact laser scar removal can be quite expensive, especially for those needing more than one treatment. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that most insurance companies will not cover the laser scar removal procedure.  Despite this serious drawback, though, for many people the quickness and effectiveness of the acne blemish laser treatment outweigh the cost, making laser acne treatment a very attractive option – especially for those who have been unable to achieve desirable results with any other method.  For many, the solution to the problem of how to get rid of acne is laser acne treatment.