How to Remove Acne Scars with Laser Resurfacing

One of the few things that are worse than having bad acne is long-term scarring. Just when you think your acne has cleared and you can enjoy smooth skin, reality sets in and acne scars appear. If you, like millions of people, are guilty of popping and squeezing your pimples, then you probably have more than one acne scar you can’t get rid of.

While some of your acne marks might fade, most scars will resist any creams and home remedies you try. The good news is that acne scars are not a permanent problem anymore. The newest forms of laser skin resurfacing offer a safe and effective way to visibly reduce or eliminate your acne scars. Read along to find out more about laser skin resurfacing and what it can do for you.

How to remove Acne Scars with Laser Resurfacing?

You can develop acne scars if you have inflammatory acne or pustules (raised bumps or bumps filled with white pus), you picked on your acne, or you used harsh cleaners to treat it. You can also have scar prone or ultra sensitive skin, which might make your scars more resistant to fading.

The use of laser treatments for acne scars has been around for a long time. However, the first available treatments were too aggressive on the skin, sometimes causing more problems to those with sensitive skin.

The new laser technologies available are safe, gentle, and effective when treating even the most delicate skins. Laser skin resurfacing treatments, when applied by a cosmetic dermatologist, will help reduce inflammation, help the skin regenerate itself, and give you visibly healthier skin.

How does Laser Skin Resurfacing work?

Laser treatments pulse intense light or heat into the skin, penetrating it layer by layer. It’s called laser resurfacing because, in response to the laser, your skin’s natural healing process is to produce more collagen, regenerate skin cells and shed the damaged tissue, rejuvenating itself. After the laser has done its work, your skin will look and feel smoother and healthier.

What is the best laser for acne scars?

With so many laser treatments available, you want to be sure that you are choosing one that will help your acne scars fade in a safe way. In order to help you understand your options, VIDA’s dermatologist, Dr. Alberto de la Fuente, recommends the following treatments to help with acne scars:

Dermablate. Dermablate is an ultra-gentle erbium laser that provides micron-level precision, making it suitable to treat anything from localized acne scars to a full skin resurfacing. A full Dermablate treatment is just as efficient as other skin resurfacing treatments that need to be performed in the OR, without irritating or burning your skin. When you get Dermablate, you can expect some minor redness and scab in the treated area which will disappear within 2 to 4 days. Downtime and discomfort after Dermablate are minimal and after a couple of days, you’ll see and feel your new, baby-soft skin. As for after treatment care, you’ll need to protect your skin from direct sunlight, avoid scratching and rubbing your skin. is a non-ablative laser that treats small portions of the skin at a time, which promotes faster healing. When applying, tiny bursts of thermal energy target the skin. laser works from the inside out: it eliminates the old skin cells by penetrating your skin’s inner layers, stimulating healing and collagen regeneration. After getting laser treatment, the area will be red and feel “sunburnt” for 2 to 4 days, but with some basic care, this will disappear revealing smooth skin. Your after treatment care will consist of sun protection and using gentle skin cleansers that won’t irritate your skin as it’s healing.
IPL. Recommended only if you have really small scars that are not too deep, Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is a non-invasive and effective way to finally get rid of acne scars. IPL works through short pulses of intense light that target your skin cells. Also called a photo facial, IPL is very gentle and requires no downtime. After your IPL session, which rarely lasts more than 30 minutes, you might notice some redness but not scabbing. Your aftercare will consist of moisturizing and protecting your skin from the sun.

How many laser sessions do I need to remove acne scars?

Depending on your scars and the results you want, you will need one to three treatments. In order to accurately know the exact laser treatment that will give you the best results, it’s important to have a consultation with your dermatologist first. Before deciding on a treatment, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about your current and past acne problems, your lifestyle and any treatments you are currently using.

Can laser skin resurfacing remove my acne scars?

It’s a common concern among our patients: they feel like their acne scars are too deep or pigmented and have lost hope. Laser treatments penetrate the skin in a way that no cream ever will. If you are still experiencing outbreaks and active acne lesions, your doctor might recommend you follow a skin care regimen first to get your skin in top condition and then have a laser treatment to perfect it.

Beautiful skin is a possibility for everyone, so call VIDA Wellness and Beauty Center at 619-738-2144 to schedule your one on one consultation with Dr. de la Fuente.

Dr. Alejandro Quiroz

Dr. Quiroz is our board-certified Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIDA Clinic in Tijuana. He specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Neck lift, Buttock Augmentation, Breast Augmentation, Body Contouring and more. He is member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, the Mexican Society of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and the Mexican Council of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, to mention a few.