How many laser resurfacing treatments can acne scarring skin have?

Question

I have had 7 acne scar laser treatments for a severed acne scarring to achieve an acceptable result. Also, i have had microneedling sessions (several). I'm planning to have three more laser treatments. Is that okay?

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

Acne scars are very difficult to improve.  You might consider fewer treatments but more aggressive.  I like Erbium laser resurfacing for acne scars.

Carey Nease, MD · Answer

Acne scarring is very difficult to erase, and results to minimize the scars can take quite a few treatments. The real question is what laser have you had? I prefer a deep fractional CO2 laser, and 3-4 treatments should help a lot. Combination with microneedling is helpful also. There is not a limit to how many treatments you can have, just be sure to space them apart by at least 6-8 weeks and your skin is fully healed. Good luck!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello mdreaming! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Shah Facial Plastics. There is not an exact number of laser treatments needed in order to minimize the appearance of acne scars, it is totally dependent on how each patient responds to the laser. It is totally normal to have several treatments of laser resurfacing in order to treat the scars. I highly recommend scheduling an in-person consultation in order to better assess the areas of concern and discuss an appropriate treatment plan to help achieve your aesthetic goals. Our office phone number is: (312) 944-0117. I hope this helps and best of luck!

J. Renee Booth, MD · Answer

There is a wide variation in laser types and settings. Some patients elect to have yearly fractionated laser treatments which leave portions of the skin untreated to speed up healing for an easier recovery. With the highest ablative settings, only one or two sessions of Erbium YAG are usually needed for rhytids. Often, dermabrasion is used for significant acne scars. Even with the most aggressive treatments, some acne scars will persist if they extend into the reticular dermis. Treatments must not extend into this layer because it will cause permanent scarring if they do.

How many laser resurfacing treatments can acne scarring skin have?

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