Are micro laser peels effective for ice pick acne scars and dents?

Question

Are they effecive for these types of scars and if not what laser if any could clear those scars?

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.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. 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

Amelia Damse, DO · Answer

Micro laser peels remove the superficial layer of the skin, and are therefore not very effective for deeper acne scars, such as ice pick scars. For these types of scars there are other options that address the depth issue here, including subscision (using a needle or other instrument to release the scar tissue tethering the skin to the dermis), filler (to fill in the scar), and fractionated lasers that can be tweaked to go deep into the dermis stimulating collagen production. The best results are usually achieved when using a combination of treatments.

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

Sadly no. Treatments like MicroLaserPeels or even deeper full field resurfacing rarely improves and sometimes worsens the appearance of these kind of scars. Many of them are actually wider in the deeper layers of the skin and when you remove the surface, they can look broader or worse. These issues usually respond best to fractional treatments like Halo and ProFractional which remove some of the scar tissue and encourage it to be replaced with new, healthier collagen.

Are micro laser peels effective for ice pick acne scars and dents?

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