Is Erbium yag effective for atrophic acne scars? I have an asian skin tone.

Question

I have atrophic Acne scars on cheeks and temple area. I have asian skin tone and c02 isn't recommended for me. Is Erbium yag the laser treatment I should go for? Does it improve Atrophic scars significantly after 3 treatments. How long should the waiting period be in between treatments and how much will it cost me.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Erbium can be very effective for acne scars.  Acne scar treatment needs a combination approach for improvement.  For the best results, one should target the acne scar type.  As everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring, the best solution is a tailored one.  Typically you need fillers like bellafill and sculptra for atrophic indented type scars with or without subcision.  Subcision for depressed tethered scars.  Vascular lasers like yellow laser, aerolase, excel V or IPL for redness or thick scars. And lasers such as fraxel, erbium, co2 or fractional radiofrequency like venus viva, skinfinity, intensif or fractora microneedling RF for textural issues and superficial scarring.  Deep ice pick scars and narrow box car scars are best treated with TCA CROSS and punch excision.  All lasers are combined with microneedling and PRP to get even better results and improve healing times.   The majority of patients will have a collection of different scar types, and hence a tailored treatment plan is needed by an expert physician.  It is never about the laser or product that gives the results, its about the expert behind the equipment that gets you the outcome.  Scars cannot be cured and will need life-long treatments to maintain and build on the results.  For those at high risk for hyperpigmentation (darker skin types or asian or hispanic or mixed ethnicities) we alreayd pre-treat the skin with cosmelan or enlighten lightening peels to prevent complications from energy-based or chemical-based treatments.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Amy Y. Paul, DO, FAAD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Erbium laser treatments can be helpful for atrophic acne scars, but it would be best to have an in-person consult with an experienced dermatologist with a variety of treatment options for you.  Whether or not erbium is ok for your skin type depends on your level of pigment.  You will want to be on a good skin care regimen including a retinoid and probably a hydroquinone or an alternative pigment management regimen in addition to any laser or procedures you are considering.  There are other options for acne scarring that are not as risky for hyperpigmentation, and those can range from light chemical peels, TCA cross, microneedling without RF, and RF microneedling.  Please see an expert, and best of luck!

Is Erbium yag effective for atrophic acne scars? I have an asian skin tone.

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Is Erbium yag effective for atrophic acne scars? I have an asian skin tone.

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