Laser treatment for acne scar

Laser treatment for acne scars focuses light on the top layers of your skin to break up scar tissue. At the same time, the treatment encourages new, healthy skin cells to grow and replace the scar tissue.

While this treatment doesn’t completely remove acne scars, it can reduce their appearance and also minimize pain caused by them.

If you have active acne, a darker skin tone, or very wrinkled skin, you might not be a good candidate for this treatment. Only a dermatologist can tell you if laser treatment for acne scars is a good course of action for you.

Targeted areas

Lasers for acne scarring tend to target your face. But the treatment can also be applied to other areas where acne scars tend to appear. Typical targeted treatment areas include:

  • face
  • arms
  • back
  • upper torso
  • neck

How it works

Laser treatment for acne scarring works in two ways.

First, heat from the laser works to remove the top layer of your skin where a scar has formed. As this top layer of your scar peels off, your skin appears smoother, and the appearance of the scar is less noticeable.

As the scar tissue breaks apart, heat and light from the laser also encourage new, healthy skin cells to grow. Blood flow is drawn to the area by the heat of the laser, and inflammation is reduced as blood vessels in the scar are targeted.

All of this combines to make scars look less raised and red, giving them a smaller appearance. It also promotes the healing of your skin.