Does Smartskin Fractional CO2 laser work well for acne scars and how long is recovery?

The Smartskin fractional CO2 laser is a more aggressive laser treatment than the Fraxel restore and a more effective treatment for acne scars.  The healing time is about 6 days. Redness remains for a few more weeks, but after the first week, makeup can be applied.  It takes about 2 months to see the full benefit and repeat treatments can be performed.It is very important that you have this aggressive treatment with an experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Oral antiviral medication should be started before your treatment and sun protection afterwards.

There are different types of acne scars: Pitted, Countoured or Rolling Scars, Hypertorphic, Keloidal, Box Scars, Pigmented Scars, Hypopigmented Scars and Atrophic Scars. It is important to identify what type of scar is being treated. The most common type of scar is the Contoured or Rolling scars. I my opinion the best treatment is to fill the affected area with tumescent anesthesia, do extensive subcision of the scar bands and then use a Fractional Ablative laser such as the Fraxel Repair or Fotona Fractional Erbium laser. A light chemical peel or light laser resurfacing is usually used on the rest of the face to blend the scar treated areas into the adjacent cosmetic units of the face. I have now treated over 300 patients using this method. In my hands it is better than any other treatment I have ever used in over 25 years of practice. If pitted scars are present, they can be punch excised and sutured on the same day.