What's the best one treatment option for acne scars?

The most effective protocols for acne scarring call for three treatments.  A CO2 laser such as the FX or Fraxel Re:pair are your best bet.  Dr Robert Weiss did a nice split face study comparing the two at Johns Hopkins last year and found the 9 out 10 patients like both the procedure and results of the Active FX vs. the Fraxel Re:pair.  The only caveat to this is for acne scarring the Deep FX (which causes longer lasting redness) should be used. I would go with two Deep FX or Total FX treatments (Active and Deep FX) over the scarred area within the six week period and then see how it looks after about 6 months to determine if you want a third treatment.  It is reasonable to expect about 50% improvement after each treatment.

These are little marketing ploys used by  aesthetic device companies. You are looking at couple of treatments at least unless you are willing to deal with some serious down time and possible side effects. I think that the fractional CO2 is a great leap forward but it is not a one off treatment miracle as some of the manufacturers are promoting it.

You skin does not need laser..I bet you would see good result with a series of mild peels and microdermabrasion and retina A... If you insist Since your skin is light I would do a Very mild ablative CO2...That doctors have done 1000s of... The fractionated is exciting but still new.... Stick with the tried and true at least for a few more years..... Don't be sold on a fractional procedure with an inexperienced doctor... Walk out and do some research and find one who has done at least a 100.. Ask specific questions..If someone says I've had amazing results with.... It's not rude to ask how many... Best wishes.. I would also do a patch test before you do your whole face

I have some concerns with the Total Fx. I had it done On Jan.30, 2008. I had very faint lines under my eyes before, and now they're much worse. Also, the main reason in having this done, was because of some acne scarring I had (a few ice pick scars) and some age spots. The age spots are lighter, but still there and the scars are worse and my pores look much larger than before having this done. I thought this procedure was to correct these problems, not inhance them. My skin is smoother, but having a layer of skin taken off, I believe is also what caused the scars and pores to look bigger.I even have my own before and after pics to prove it. My doctor, who is a plastic surgeon, told me I would see 80% improvement and that if something needed re-treated, he would do it at no charge, because he wants his patients to be happy. Now he tells me, I said "UP" to 80% improvement and he said he doesn't believe anything needs re-treated. Sold me a bottle of HQRA cream made by Neutraderm, to hopefully further lighten the age spots after using for a month. Before having this done, I asked him how long I would need to avoid sun exposure, because I am having a reunion in 2 months, he originally told me 3 months and now, after having it done, he says 1 year. He told me everything I wanted to hear, leading me to schedule the appointment and now that it's done and over with ( money in his hand),he has completely gone against everything he initially told me. I don't know if having the Total Fx repeated, will make the pores and scars look worse yet or better. I'm not sure how long you have to wait to have it done again, because the contract I signed, says any follow up treatments must be done within a year. Not sure if I should find another doctor in the area that performs it, or just have him do it, seeing as how how already paid him close to $3,000. I am so devastated with the outcome, I just want to cry and not leave the house. I wish I never had this done. If you can give me any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You

i dont see scars just enlarged pores .what do you think?

dolvid You have all the complaints that many have with the fractionated...This is so new I wouldn't do it again,,,,Micro dermabrasion can be very helpful ridding your skin of the junk left behind and increasing blood flow...Get some Tns Recovery serum and keep your skin very very moist...You can order paper masks off ebay that can be soaked and rested on the face to up moisture... This goes deep and effects your sebacous glands impairing healing,,,you have little burns below the surface,,,If the don't heal correctly they will suface and look like acne scarring...I think these lasers create to much thermal damage to surrounding cells deep in the surface on some and in many they don't heal...It's deceiving because the surface will look more uniform from the vessel coagulation.. I also think juvederm after fractionated will help your skin heal from below...increasing the HA level below the surface will help the cells heal..They need a moist enviroment and you can not get it from surface moisture alone...You know how fast a cut ect heals when you have been swimming ect... You can also look into PRP platlet rich plasma to increase healing....You need blood flow to heal...So taking asparin every day to thin the blood so the vessels reconect and restablish might help...You need good blood flow... They also have a massage called cupping they put little suction type cups on damaged or scarred skin,,,It increases blood flow for healing and reducing scars and lymphatic drainage and cleansing...I saw this work on a girl with scarring from a car accident you can hardly see the scars unless she points them out...She had over 150 stitches..You can order them from a massage store or get it from a therapist... I would do all the above I am 2.5 years out and my face has ulcerated it's horrible I look like I had severe acne when I had smooth skin before.... It's like you have bubbles of boiled spots under the skin with little blood flow from coagulation and impaired sebacous function all horrible for healing... Please try all of the above I had to do my own research becaus eI couldn't get answers..They deny deny so you have to be proactive with your own treatment...I learned of these to late but have done extensive research... You need treatment heal and avoid the problems some see later when they I'll call them bubbles surface and leave a indent or hole... Good luck Angie