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Question:

htr
htr
Student
Graduate School

I have acne and was wondering is there any way to get rid of the scars it leaves behind.  Is there a certain laser treatment for this?

thank you

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Posted by htr on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at 10:41 PM and tagged with health, health acne, skin problems.

Answers:

  1. jgoulden
    jgoulden Teacher
    Graduate School

    eNotes Editor

    I am answering this question not just as a teacher, but of the parent of a teenage son who suffered from fairly serious acne and resulting scarring.

    First off, you should discuss this issue with your dermatologist before taking advice from a question-and-answer board. Your dermatologist is a skin care professional and is your best resource for treatment options.

    Laser removal of acne scars involves using a high-precision laser (usually an Erbium or Erbium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Er-YAG) laser that burns off scar tissue without affecting the surrounding healthy skin. The surgeon can control the depth to which the laser penetrates, which allows removal of the entire affected area. There is little risk of additional scarring with this treatment, and complications are rare. However, it is more expensive than other treatment options.

    We ultimately did not opt for the laser scar removal as my son's scarring responded well to other treatments and the laser procedure wasn't covered by our medical insurance. But, as they say, your mileage may vary. Again, your dermatologist is your best resource as you research treatment options.

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    Posted by jgoulden on Thursday October 22, 2009 at 7:00 AM