How Long Should You Wait Between Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments After Treating Deep Acne Scars?

Thank you for your question. I recommend waiting for 6 months, or at least considering it then. Waiting a year may be good, but at 6 moths, we treat again and with good results. I hope this helps.

Acne scars are usually characterized within the subtypes of atrophic, hypertrophic, pigmented, or inflammatory. These subtypes of acne scars can be visually discerning in ambient light and can cause significant cosmetic concerns. Indented and atrophic scars require a combination approach to stimulate collagen and elastin, thereby smoothing contour and uneven skin. These are usually combined with lasers and depigmentation protocols to reduce inflammatory hyperpigmentation (Melarase AM and Melarase PM). Our Hidef protocols for acne scars include fillers such as Sculptra, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Restylane to improve deep acne scars; Vascular lasers to reduce inflammation and post-inflammatory redness and erythema; Fractional lasers to smooth contour and collagen; and Fractional RF to stimulate production of collagen within atrophic scars. Textural improvement and superficial scarring can be improved with Cosmelan peels, TCA Cross for ice-pick scars, deep chemical peels, and fractional CO2. We offer a personalized approach to your combination of scars and a formal evaluation with consultation is recommended to help you achieve your final results. Our plastic surgery office offers subcision and combination TCA Cross to help reduce deeply pitted scars. In terms of pigmentation and skin resonance, we recommend daily use of Melarase AM and Melarase PM coupled with Retinoid creams to achieve brilliant skin.

Best,
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Deep FX is one setting on the Lumenis Ultrapulse machine. There is a different handle which performs what is called Active FX. When both of these are performed together it is called Total FX. Deep FX often is the best treatment for deep acne scars. After full healing and no redness (it seems you are are at this point) then another treatment may be performed. I certainly would go back to your same doctor since you already had good results. Let them decide which of the treatments would be best for you at this point. In my practice I often perform a Total FX treatment first and then plan to follow up with an Active FX treatment which does more of a polishing of the skin but does not work as well on the deep scars. It really depends on how your scars look at this point.

Dear Patient,

It is wonderful that you are seeing improvement in acne scars after one treatment with fractional CO2 laser. It is usually recommended to wait 2-3 months between treatments and  undergo 3-5 treatments in order to see ideal results. So as long as your skin is healed and has no residual discoloration from the previous treatments, and you are seeing improvement in the scars, then you are ready for the next treatment session. Please consult your laser surgeon to confirm and plan you next treatment. Good luck.