How Effective is Fractional Laser for Acne Scars?

 “Fractional laser is a skin treatment procedure that uses laser light. The goal is not only to remove acne scars, but also to disguise wrinkles and fine lines on the face.”

Fractional laser is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that shoots a laser beam into the problem areas of the skin. There are two commonly used techniques, namely ablative and non-ablative.

Ablative is a procedure performed in the epidermis of the skin (the outermost part of the skin). While the non-ablative technique is a procedure that is carried out to the deeper layers of the skin.

The procedure can be carried out by all skin types. The benefits range from removing acne scars, disguising black spots due to UV exposure to even out the texture of the scarred skin.

Disorders That Can Be Treated With Fractional Lasers

The technique and depth of the laser beam will be adjusted according to age, location and skin problems experienced. The procedure is generally performed to treat skin disorders on the face, neck, hands and chest.

Not only acne scars, fractional laser is also effective in dealing with disorders, such as: 

• Disguise wrinkles and fine lines on the face.
• Eliminates dark spots due to excessive sun exposure.
• Solve the problem of uneven skin tone.
• Removes postoperative scars.
• Disguise pockmarked texture due to acne.
• Eliminate stretch marks (stripes or lines that appear on the surface of fatty skin, such as the buttocks, thighs, upper arms, stomach and breasts).
• Poikiloderma (skin disorder characterized by the formation of new blood vessels so that they look like worms).

The results are not immediately visible during treatment. It can take up to 2 weeks for results to be seen. After the procedure, the patient will experience swelling, redness, hyperpigmentation, crusting and peeling of the skin.

Everyone who does a fractional laser must have experienced it. Don't worry, because the above conditions are a healing process and are temporary. Swelling and redness usually occur within 2 to 3 days.

Meanwhile, hyperpigmentation and crusting occur 3 to 5 days afterward. Lastly, the peeling process. This can happen 3 to 14 days after the procedure.

During the process mentioned earlier, it is recommended to always use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50+. This aims to protect the skin from sun exposure which can damage the treatment effect.

Risks That Can Be Experienced

Compared to ablative techniques, non-ablative has a smaller risk of side effects. Patients generally experience the following conditions:

• A burning sensation on the face within 30 to 60 minutes after the treatment procedure is performed.
• Redness, swelling, pain and itching in the procedure area. The redness may last for several months.
• Applying a facial cream after a fractional laser increases the risk of acne or milia (small white bumps on the face, such as the nose, cheeks and under the eyes).
• Patients are at risk for bacterial, viral or fungal infections due to the erosion of the protective skin layer.
• After the laser, the skin area looks darker than the rest of the body. It could also be the opposite.
• Causes scar tissue or textured scars on the surface of the skin.
  

Fractional laser is a safe procedure to perform. If you want to know more about the procedure, please ask your doctor first regarding the procedure for carrying it out.

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