Deeper Laser Treatments for Acne Scars?

Question

Hello Doctors,

	I am a 25-year-old Indian guy with fair skin. I recently had Profractional Laser treatment (8%, 175 micron) 2 weeks back, and Microlaser Peel (15 micron) 2 days back for my deep acne scars.

	I am trying to force my esthetician to go deeper for my subsequent treatments, and also give me some bleaching cream to be on the safe side. However, she doesn't seem to buy this, and wants to go very shallow and without using any bleaching cream. Do you think it's a good idea?

Kevin M. Robertson, MD, FACS · Answer

I have worked with the  Profractional laser for quite some time, and have kept up with innovative uses across the country. In my office, my skin care nurses provide superficial depth treatments to 300 microns, and I perform those that go deeper.
Acne scarring is difficult, because it involves deep dermal elements.  Multiple users, including myself, have been increasing the depth of Profxnl treatments to remodel the scarring.  Empiric evidence have suggested at least 500 microns, and even up to 700 microns in thicker skin regions like the cheek or chin, in order to be effective. Temple skin is treated a bit less aggressively. I still counsel patients that two to three treatments must be expected.  With those treatment parameters, the results have been impressive, even after prior skin resurfacing like C02 or conventional erbium.  We also pretreat the skin with a 20 micron microlaser peel just before the profxnl treatment in order to improve the standardization of depth, and minimize the profxnl pattern while healing.  Density setting is always 11 %, and coag is usually 1.
I don't feel it's appropriate for an aethetician to use the laser in this range.  Find a physician in one of the core disciplines of derm, facial plastics, plastics, or oculoplastic surgery to perform this treatment.
Bleaching cream is recommended, and in my practice with your skin type would be deemed imperative.
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.  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

Gregory A. Wiener, MD, FACS · Answer

Anytime a patient will undergo a deep laser profractional treatment, or even a microlaser peel we always like to pretreat the patients skin.  Anytime we have a darker skintype it is mandatory to pretreat with a bleaching agent 4-6 weeks prior to their laser procedure. This not only helps prevent any burning to the barrier layer of the skin, but it also helps diminish any pigmentation issues if that's what the  patient was trying to treat. It may even help the healing processes post laser. For you being a skintype four, the esthetician is being very cautious with her settings but she can probably increase it to 300, and may do spot treatments for the deeper scars.

Debra Irizarry, MD · Answer

To address Acne scars, the depth of treatment needs to be about 800 mincrons. To tolerate this, (as it can be painful), you would need to have some oral pain relievers as well as some nerve blocks. these are not typically done by an esthetician. Bleching cream pre-treatement and post treatment is always a good idea for any client with pigmented skin.

Shawn Allen, MD · Answer

You may have a darker skintype based on your reported ethnic backgorund and a bleaching cream would be prudent.  As for the depths I do not think you should press your esthetician any further.  You will likely carry a higher risk than others with side effects and you need to be treated by someone comfortable with your skin type and the laser being used.  If the esthetician is working under a doctor then discuss your concerns with the doctor (assuming they are board certified in a skin specialty such as dermatology, plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery etc ) Otherwise, you may be wasting your time and money if your acne scars are deep and your settings are not.

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Answer: Profractional for Indian skin and acne scarring

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Deeper Laser Treatments for Acne Scars?

Answers (7)

Answer: Acne scars "live" at 800 micron depth

Answer: Acne scars "live" at 800 micron depth

Answer: Profractional for Indian skin and acne scarring

Answer: Profractional for Indian skin and acne scarring

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about ProFractional Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.