Laser/Light Therapy for Acne Scars
Learn more about treatment options for acne scars
In laser/light therapy, an intense but gentle beam of light is used to treat acne scarring without damaging surrounding tissue.
Why choose laser/light therapy for acne scarring
- Pain and recovery time is minimal.
- Procedure is non-invasive.
- Works best in combination with other acne treatments.
Risks
As with any treatment, there are risks associated with it, though they are minimized in the hands of a qualified dermatologic surgeon. These include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Discoloration
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Crusting
Estimated Cost
Treatment costs average around $1,100. Since most medical insurance companies consider laser/light therapy a cosmetic procedure, treatment usually isn't covered. Factors including cost include:
- Type of skin condition being treated
- Size of skin condition being treated
- Location of skin condition being treated
- Number of office visits required for treatment
- Need for anesthesia, tests or prescriptions
Preparing for the procedure
Before the procedure, an ASDS doctor will usually review the patient's medical history and conduct a physical exam. This is the time for the doctor and patient to discuss expectations, potential risks and outcomes of the procedure. Patients also should:
- Avoid sunbathing, tanning beds, waxing, chemical peels or collagen injections for two weeks prior to the procedure.
- Avoid perfumes, deodorants or any potential irritants in the treatment area before and after treatment.
- Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements due to increased risk of bleeding.
What to expect after the procedure
- Patients may not see any significant changes until several weeks to months after the surgery.
- Treated area may be pink or red for four to eight hours after treatment.
- Patients may feel a slight stinging sensation, similar to a mild sunburn, in the treated area. This sensation usually subsides within four to six hours. Cool packs or moist cloths may be applied to reduce the sensation.
- Mild swelling in the treatment area that usually dissipates within several days.
In addition, patients should:
- Avoid applying makeup or lotion to the treated area for either 24 hours or until all signs of redness and stinging have dissipated.
- Apply a good moisturizing lotion to the treated area twice daily for the duration of the treatments and for at least three months after final treatment.
Finding a doctor
Visit "Find a dermatologic surgeon" and choose "Laser/Light Therapy" from the dropdown menu. Because ASDS doctors are trained in a variety of the best and latest techniques, they are the most qualified to evaluate and select the best treatment choice based on the individual patient's condition.