I Can See No Results on my Acne Scars Even After Fractional Co2 Laser? Normal?

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. 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

Thank you for your question. The result will depend on the severity of the acne scars. Multiple treatments may be required. I would recommend consulting under the supervision of a Board Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon for safest and best treatment option. I hope this helps.

Acne scarring is difficult to treat because it is a deep dermal problem.  The fractional laser energy does a good job at smoothing out the superficial irregularities but it has a difficult time with these deeper scars.  The Cynosure SmartXide laser has the capability of stacking the pulses to penetrated deeper into the scar.  The deeper the treatment and the closer together the dots then the more prolonged the healing as well.  Complete healing takes 4 - 6 months to achieve.

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing can greatly improve acne scarring.   The settings used will determine the amount of down time and amount of expected improvement.

 With a Fractional laser treatment, the beauty of the procedure is the minimal downtime, which sometimes deceives a patient into thinking that once the initial redness is gone, that the full final result of the laser treatment has been achieved. This is not the case. Fractional laser treatments kick in the collagen making process in your skin's cells. This process can continue for several months after the treatment has been performed, and your skin should continue to improve somewhat over the next several weeks. Perhaps you should discuss how aggressively the treatment can be done with  your practioner to determine a final result that will be both reasonable and pleasing.

Best Wishes 

The purpose of fractional CO2 lasers is to minimally ablate the skin, and cause more damage underneath, which then works its way up to affect the top layers. It takes time. You won't see results overnight, but you will see them in the coming months. Give it time. I don't know when you had the procedure, but you should follow up with your physician if you have questions about your results.