You Don’t Have to Live With Acne Scars — Here’s How to Get Rid of Them

Do your acne scars make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed? Have you tried different topical treatments but can’t get rid of stubborn scars? 

The experienced doctors at Manhattan Dermatology, with offices in Murray Hill and East Midtown, New York, understand how traumatic scars can be — especially when they make their home on your face or areas not typically concealed by clothes.

If you’re tired of covering up or concealing acne scars, we have good news. The latest advances in laser technology mean you no longer have to accept unsightly acne scars. Laser skin resurfacing can improve the appearance of even the most difficult acne scars, so you don’t have to live with acne scars any longer. 

What is laser resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing delivers short pulses of concentrated light and heat into your skin. The energy the laser generates removes thin layers of skin and stimulates new growth. As a result, the size and appearance of scars improve, leaving your skin renewed and fresh.  

Lasers can either be ablative (wounding) or nonablative (non-wounding). Ablative laser therapy removes the top layers of skin to improve its appearance. Nonablative lasers penetrate deeper into the layers of skin tissue to stimulate collagen and elastin. Some lasers use a process called fractional photothermolysis to target small areas of skin instead of large sections. 

Numerous studies show that laser therapy is highly effective at minimizing the appearance of scars. There’s little downtime after the procedure. Plus, laser resurfacing is more cost-effective than surgical alternatives.

Manhattan Dermatology offers a range of laser resurfacing treatments, including full and fractional laser resurfacing. The state-of-the-art technology includes:

• Fraxel® Dual fractional laser to pinpoint and erase the effects of scarring
• Sciton® Contour TRL™ for deep resurfacing and hard-to-treat areas 
• Clear + Brilliant® fractional laser for improved tone and texture
• Clear + Brilliant Perméa® for improved tone and texture plus the added benefits of topical solutions

Am I a candidate for laser resurfacing?

While laser resurfacing is safe for most healthy patients looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars, different treatment systems have different side effects. As such, it’s important to seek treatment from experienced medical professionals. 

The doctors at Manhattan Dermatology can assess your health and skin condition to recommend the best course of treatment for your acne scars. If you’re a candidate for laser resurfacing, your dermatologist customizes a treatment plan to give you stunning results.

What can I expect during a laser resurfacing treatment?

No two people have identical acne scars, so no two laser resurfacing treatments are the same. At Manhattan Dermatology, we make individualized treatment plans the core of our approach. 

Most laser surfacing sessions begin with an application of a topical anesthetic before the expertly controlled laser penetrates areas of pigmentation caused by scarring. The energy from the laser stimulates collagen and elastin production, which encourages the replacement of scarred skin with new, healthy skin, reducing the appearance of scarring. 

Generally, our patients undergo several sessions. A majority see a dramatic improvement in the appearance of acne scars after only a handful of laser treatments, and most patients experience little to no discomfort.

The number of laser resurfacing sessions you need depends on your individual skin condition, your personal goals, and the laser your dermatologist determines is best for your resurfacing. Some types of laser treatments, such as fractional lasers, provide the best results after a series of sessions. 

Your doctor at Manhattan Dermatology will create a laser resurfacing plan to safely and effectively make your acne scars a thing of the past. If you’re ready to banish your acne scars, let us customize a plan that works best for you. Learn more by calling either our Park Avenue or East 36th Street locations, or request an appointment using our convenient online booking tool.