ProFractional-XC Laser Treatment for Acne Scars
In adults and teenagers alike, the only thing worse than active acne is the scar they can leave. Acne scars are often caused by the severe inflammation that can damage collagen. Until recently, most treatments for acne scarring have been met with limited success.
I have been using the ProFractional-XC Laser (Sciton) in my New York City office for almost four years and have seen dramatic improvements with acne scarring in my patients. The laser promotes a wound-healing process that stimulates specialized cells (fibroblasts) to generate new collagen, plumping the skin and correcting skin imperfections. This laser can be used to treat most skin types and requires little preparation.
The treatment can take anywhere from 10-20 minutes depending on the areas that need to be treated. You will hear rapid snapping sounds as the handpiece is moved around to different areas of your face. Most patients are treated with a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort.
The recovery process typically takes about 2-3 days at which time your skin may be red and dry. You will be given skin care products to use during this time. Patients that have this treatment on a Friday recover over the weekend and typically look good on Monday, allowing them to go to work or school.
Most patients require several treatments. The number of treatments depends on the severity of the scars (i.e., worse acne scars require more treatments). The treatments are staggered by 4-6 weeks and can be done at any time thereafter.
It can take several months to realize the full results of the Profractional-XC acne scar treatments. Collagen remodeling is a lengthy process, and the results are not immediate. However, with each successive treatment the scarring will become much less noticeable and you will be glad you chose this type of laser treatment.
