I had ablative erbium laser resurfacing nearly seven weeks ago .Will I have any more improvement than I'm seeing now?

Question

I was quite pleased with the improvement I saw 3/4 weeks after my treatment but now at nearly 7 weeks it seems my scars are returning . Will I have any further improvement from now on ?. Would it be possible to have a further laser treatment to get more improvement ?My doctor said before my treatment I could only have one but have read about people having 2 or 3 . Is there anything else I could try ?.

Larry C. Leverett, MD, FACS · Answer

You can anticipate more correction over the
next 6-8 months. The beauty of ablative laser resurfacing is the swelling it
creates immediately post procedure. This swelling gives the illusion that fine
lines, wrinkles and scarring have resolved. However, once the initial swelling
subsides, the illusion fades right along with it. Collagen takes time to
rebuild. This is the conversation that is had with all my patients who consider
laser resurfacing. It is important to understand the desired end result will
not be immediate post procedure, but 6-8 months down the road. Also, a commitment
to your skin care regimen along with clinical skin care treatments that support
your desired result are essential.  In the
meantime, you can be confident that your skin is improving and correction is
under way. If you decide to pursue another ablative resurfacing treatment, I recommend waiting at least 8 months from the date of your initial treatment.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Erbium treatment for acne scarsThere is more than one type of treatment.  the profractional part will take several weeks or months to imprvove.  the micropeel or ablative portion is seen in the first few weeks.multiple treatments are possible

Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

The ablative lasers, such as the erbium that you had, work by causing collagen remodeling. Collagen remodels for about a nine-month period, sometimes even longer. The initial improvement that you saw was likely due just to edema or swelling in your skin, and you will continue to see improvement as time goes on. This is not to say that you cannot have more resurfacing in the meantime. With scars specifically, it often takes multiple treatments to see the results that you are after. Talk to your laser surgeon and make sure they have a plan laid out for you with respect to multiple treatments.If you need help, seek out a dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these core four cosmetic specialties.

Christine Rodgers, MD · Answer

You can have more than 1 erbium laser.  I usually recommend 2 - 3 in a row with 8-12 weeks in between each treatment.  You can also continue to see improvement after each treatment for up to 3 months.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

Everyone looks pretty good for the first couple of weeks after resurfacing because of the swelling.  Once the swelling goes down you may notice the wrinkles and scars again.  The laser helps the skin by causing deep heating which will cause the skin to produce new collagen.  This process begins at about 4 weeks after the treatment and continues for at least 6 months.  So you are in this phase of healing now.  At 6 months you should look better than you do now.  If at 6 months you still have some scars you can consider having a second treatment.  If it was fully ablative I would wait a year.  If it was fractional you could do again at 6 months.

I had ablative erbium laser resurfacing nearly seven weeks ago .Will I have any more improvement than I'm seeing now?

Answers (5)

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