Laser or TCA Peel for a Frequent International Traveler?

I'm thinking of a TCA peel or Fraxel Restore for my acne scars and redness. I am a frequent international traveler. If I do TCA, I will have to fly out a few days later and won't be able to see the doctor except for a brief check-up two days later. If I do laser, I will have a couple of months between treatments, instead of a couple of weeks. Is it safe to do TCA and then leave the country? If I do laser, is it effective to wait a few months in between?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by newtoski in Here

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Treatment of acne scars

You have been presented with two good options. However, given your particular situation and the type of acne scars you have demonstrated, I would suggest the Fraxel Laser treatment. The Fraxel laser has a relatively short recovery period and can be performed multiple times at intervals that would fit your schedule. The Fraxel laser has shown some very good results in the more shallow acne scarring that your picture demonstrates.

Acne scars best treated with laser resurfacing

The best and most effective treatment for acne scars is Laser resurfacing. It requires about two weeks for recovery. TCA does not affect acne scars. Fraxel laser is WORTHLESS, You can have as many treatments as you want but it will not improve the acne scars. Carbon Dioxide laser resurfacing is gold standard.

Fraxel is probably the way to go for you since it takes a few days of healing

Fraxel is usually a 2 day healing process and can be done on a Friday and is usually normal looking by Monday. This process can be done multiple times at longer interval than 2 weeks. I think this would work the best for you. Dr. S

The treatment for depressed acne scars

With acne or chicken pox scarring the problem is a difference in topography wherebythe scar surface is at a deeper level than the surrounding skin. This is due to the active disease process destroying the deeper layers of the skin. Without this structural support the skin caves in in the area creating a depression or pit. The scars are noticeable because of the shadows that fall over them in a fashion analogous to the shadow on a street with tall buildings on either side. To rectify this... more