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Can Laser Resurfacing Remove Acne Scars and Dark Marks?

asked 9 months ago by WannaNewBooty
Latest answer by Daniel Shapiro, MD
Question viewed 617 times
Tags: acne scars, candidate, dark spots, oily skin, pores

I am 23 years old and suffered with bad acne in my teen years. So far, I don't have anymore acne, I am now left with dark marks, a few blackheads, open pores and oily skin. Can laser help minimize my pores size, remove the black heads and dark marks, and help with the oily skin?

16 answers to Can Laser Resurfacing Remove Acne Scars and Dark Marks?

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Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scarring

Laser skin resurfacing uses laser light to target the superficial and deep layers of the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, enlarged pores, and areas of discoloration, while simultaneously promoting collagen growth to tighten the skin. I would suggest the Sciton Erbium:Yag laser, which is used in the operating room under anesthesia as it treats the deepest layers of skin. This laser can produce outstanding results for acne scarring, enlarged pores, and... more
Daniel Shapiro, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
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Fraxel Laser for Acne Scar Treatment

The treatment of acne scars requires both the removal of damaged skin and the production of new collagen to improve the area's tone and texture. Unlike other procedures, Fraxel treatment removes damaged skin on the surface and reaches deep into the skin to stimulate collagen remodeling. Fraxel treatment improves the elasticity, texture and tone of your damaged skin while keeping your healthy tissue intact.
Susana Leal-Khouri, MD

Miami Dermatologic Surgeon
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Fraxel Dual for Acne Scars

Yes Fraxel Dual can help treat acne scars by fostering the development of normal collagen which would gradually override the thick collagen of the scar tissue. This laser can also treat pigmentation issues as well. Since blackheads are basically a type of blockage in the pores that are caused by overactive oil glands, I would recommend the Spectra laser which removes pore blocks and decreases the activity level of these glands. I've provided a link with more details on... more
Sanusi Umar, MD

Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
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Lasers can help with post acne inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scars

Fraxel Dual can help with both the pigment and scarring but with any laser, there is a risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Multiple treatments would be needed usually for scar improvement. Other devices including the Syneron E2, Vbeam, IPL, Portrait plasma may help. Blackheads, or open comedones, do not require laser for treatment but if you are having laser for the other conditions, there may or may not be improvement, long term, with new blackhead formation. Pore size is not... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
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Laser works well for acne scars

I like to use a combination of IPL for the pigmentation and the Erbium YAG laser for the acne scars. Unlike resurfacing or using the laser for wrinkles, it is important to use a much deeper setting to improve scarring. For this reason, you should expect around 10 days of scabbing and scaling but after that period, the results are phenomenal and continue to improve over the next 6 weeks. Most people require more than one treatment and some up to 6 treatments.
Jacob Freiman, MD

Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon
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Acne scars and resurfacing

Acne scars can be improved with laser resurfacing but I would suggest a number of things prior to laser resurfacing for the scars. The indented scars can be improved through either subcision, deep chemical peeling, fat grafting with subcision and excisional (cutting) techinques. There is a unique process that I use for this. Laser resurfacing will be the finishing touch on all of it. For the active acne, I would use salicylic acid cleansers, retin A, 15% alpha beta acid lotions, or series of... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Can Laser Resurfacing remove Acne scars and dark marks

For many years, until the 1980-s, Traditional Dermabrasion (wire brush, etc) was used to treat acne scars and was very effective, but quite traumatic. With the advent of the Traditional Laser Resurfacing technique, Dermabrasion has almost been abandoned. Traditional Laser Resurfacing is still used by Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons and, depending on the depth of the scars, one or two treatments can be very effective, However, some deep boxcar scars will not respond and have to be... more
Eugene Mandrea, MD

Chicago Dermatologist

www.lakeviewderm.com

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Laser resurfacing for Acne

Laser resurfacing only helps smooth the very top skin lasers. Most visible acne scars are deeper and thus laser resurfacing alone is not the answer. I hope this is not taken maliciously, but if you notice, only the dermatologists who answered your question believe that laser resurfacing for Acne scars is worthwhile. That is because they are taught to think from the skin surface. You can read more about my FaSuLa concept for acne scars on my website, but I believe each... more
Yoash R. Enzer, MD

Providence Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.doctorenzer.com

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Lasers Can Help Minimize Acne Scars and Hyperpigmentation

Yes, lasers can help. For acne scarring the fractional CO2 works well. The dermaroller also works great. Dark marks? … that depends on what these “dark marks” look like. I’d have to see your skin to evaluate the quality and condition of your skin. If it is hyperpigmentation from the acne, using a combination of sunscreen, hydroquinone or a skin lightener which is hydroquinone free and Retin-A in the evening is what helps as far as topicals. The... more
Timothy Jochen, MD

Palm Springs Dermatologic Surgeon
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Laser resurfacing can improve acne scars and brown marks

Laser resurfacing (such as Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927nm laser) has been shown in several studies to improve a variety of conditions, from acne scarring to melasma (brown patches on the skin most commonly related to pregnancy and sun exposure) to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown marks on the skin left from trauma, acne, or irritation). Multiple treatments may be needed with the laser to result in the desired amount of improvement.
Kristel D. Polder, MD

Dallas Dermatologic Surgeon
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Laser and acne

I have been doing laser for thirty years and am constantly updating to new machines and technology. However bad acne is still problematic for me. The new CO2 fraxel or the Erbium laser will definitely make an improvement but be prepared to be dissappointed and have truly honest expectations.
Richard Galitz, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
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Laser resurfacing

Yes, laser resurfacing can be wonderful for acne scars and dark marks. Important to select a reputable clinic with trained professionals performing the procedure.
Anatoli Freiman, MD

Toronto Dermatologist
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Help for skin

A comibination approach would be best. a good skin care line, to work on the oily skin, active acne, and a laser treatment to improve the scarring you have.
Rick Rosen, MD

Norwalk Plastic Surgeon
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Laser resurfacing for acne scars

We have had wonderful success using fractional CO2 laser for acne scars and dark spots. . The down time is much less than it was for the old laser resurfacing and patients are very happy with results.
Jo Herzog, MD

Birmingham Dermatologist
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Laser resurfacing for acne scars and dark marks

Laser resurfacing can help with acne scars and dark marks. Lasers generally don't treat comedones. Those would be better addressed with something like topical retinoids (Retin A, Tazorac, Differin), which can also help fade the dark marks. Retinoids can also help with the oiliness of the skin. For atrophic acne scars and large pores, fractional laser resufacing can decrease the size and depth of acne scars.
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
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Gemini laser treatments work for acne scars and dark spots

I love my Gemini laser for the kind of post acne problems you are mentioning. Using the protocol of the "inventor", Dr. Christine Lee, of using two wavelengths in combination, the discoloration is treated by the 532 nm wavelength and the oil productions is lessened by the 1064 nm wavelength. Blackheads and large pores are significantly helped by regular treatments with the SilkPeel microdermabrasion and its special pore brush head attachment. A good home... more
Ann Lott, MD

Lincoln Dermatologist

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