Hiding behind makeup or slathering on chemicals isn’t the answer when it comes to acne scars. Laser treatment for acne scars is a safe and effective way to get a permanently smoother, more even complexion. In fact, it stimulates the body’s healing response to achieve results naturally. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (acne scars), are typically dark spots or red spots left behind after acne lesions heal. The marks can take months, or in some cases years, to fade and cause people intense distress. Plus, let’s face it, covering them up takes a lot of time and effort. Hyperpigmentation, or the darkening of acne scars, is more common in people with non-Caucasian skin. Often times clients who visit our Vancouver laser clinic say the hyperpigmentation is more concerning than the acne itself.
How do Acne Scars Form?
Let’s get technical. Acne causes the pore to swell, which results in a break in the follicle wall. Shallow lesions are usually minor and heal quickly but if there is deep break in the wall of the pore, semi-permanent redness may occur and indented scars can appear. This is due to red blood cells that form to treat the infected pore. The skin attempts to repair these lesions by generating new collagen fibers while the lymphatic system gradually flushes away the pooled blood. The best way to help the skin rejuvenate itself and heal is to exfoliate regularly once the infection has dried out. If you didn’t do this, the area can stay red for years to come. Don’t despair though because lasers and IPLs will help you get your complexion back on track.
How do Lasers and IPL Treat Acne Scars?
Our Vancouver laser treatment for acne scars is popular because it can make a drastic difference quickly. Laser and IPLs (intense pulsed light) infuse the skin with heat and light, which causes the pooled blood or pigments, known as melanin, to soften and flush away up to 10 times faster than they would on their own. Both acne scar treatments also stimulate new collagen fibers so fresh, healthy skin forms to replace old damaged skin cells.
The number of treatments will depend on how old your scars are, your age and how diligent you are with home care. The best part of IPL treatments is no downtime! Skin might get slightly flushed (similar to how it looks after hitting the gym or taking a hot shower) but this resolves in a few hours. Our clients seeking Vancouver acne scar treatment can even squeeze a session in on their lunch break and go about their day after. Technology allows us to do things that weren’t possible before. It would take your lymphatic system 10 times the effort to do what laser and IPL can do in just one treatment. There’s even good news for those who have tried IPL in the past with little or no success: There are two types of IPLs – pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical – and the results vary. You may benefit from trying another type.
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Treatment Depends on the Type of Acne Scars
There are two types of acne scars: pigmented scars (red or dark spots) and indented scars (textured scars). Let’s break it down further:
Pigmented Scars:
Red spots, once again, are simply blood cells that formed to repair the area. They got stuck and hardened beneath the skin’s surface. The best way to flush them away is to stimulate blood flow with intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. It will warm up the skin so the lymphatic system can drain the red spot away with ease.
Dark spots are essentially red spots that caught some sun. The skin’s natural barrier was compromised because the pore was left open after a breakout. So the sun’s rays (UVA and UVB) penetrated the skin, which triggered it to produce melanin, or pigments. Just like with the red spots, the fastest and most effective way to nix this hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, is to warm them up and let the lymphatic system drain them away. IPL is your best bet for dark spots. If your dark spots are really noticeable it tells us that they have formed all the way up to skin’s surface. In this instance, some of the pigments may come out of the skin! It’s actually pretty cool. After treatment, the spots will look like specks of coffee beans and if you picked them off you would be able to see them on your fingertips.
Indented Scars:
Superficial indented scars are not that deep and IPL can help with these. While IPLs are meant to treat pigmented scars and not deep-pitted ones, when it comes to shallow indents, the technology does cause a sudden production of new and healthy skin cells, which indirectly smooth out the skin’s texture.
If you have deep-pitted indented scars you would receive the most benefit from a CO2 or Fraxel laser, which both resurface the skin. Unfortunately, this is the only way to see results. C02 and Fraxel lasers remove the damaged collagen bonds and swap them out for new ones. Here at NuAGE, we don’t offer resurfacing treatments since we specialize in options with no downtime.
Resurfacing isn’t necessarily if you’re primarily concerned with pigmented scars (both red spots and dark spots) or have very superficial indented scars.
Lasers and IPLs are surprisingly the most natural way to heal the skin and banish imperfections. They simply stimulate the skin to form new collagen and aid your lymphatic system in flushing hardened lesions by softening and warming them. If you’re using products to eliminate acne scars, you’re wasting your time. It’s like sending a letter by mail when you can fire off an email or text. Technology works and it’s safe, effective and saves you time and money. Schedule a free consultation at NuAGE Laser today to discuss our Vancouver acne laser treatment and get on the path to smooth, even skin.
