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Dermatology
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Acne Scars
Acne is one of
the most common skin
diseases in the
United States. It is
estimated that 60
million Americans
suffer from acne and
20 million suffer
from it badly enough
to cause scarring.
Acne scarring is the
result of
inflammation in the
lower layer of the
skin called the
dermis which causes
the collagen to
become deformed or
scarred resulting in
depressions in the
skin.
Acne scars are
typically classified
into boxcar, ice
pick and rolling
scars. Lasers are a
commonly used
treatment
for the removal of
acne scars.
Traditional
resurfacing lasers
like CO2 or erbium
can cause
improvement in acne
scars but require
1-2 weeks down time.
Non ablative lasers
such as SmoothBeam
and CoolTouch, do
not remove skin but
at best are
minimally effective
in the treatment of
acne scars.
A new resurfacing
procedure, named
Fraxel is currently
the most effective
laser in the
treatment of acne
scars. This laser
resurfaces the skin
gradually, 20-30% at
a time, which allows
for rapid healing
while eliminating
the risk of rawness
associated with
traditional laser
resurfacing
procedures. The
zones of thermal
laser damage serve
as a stimulus for
collagen production
filling in the
pitted appearance of
acne scars with your
own collagen.
The
Fraxel laser can
result in
improvements of up
to 50% in the
appearance of acne
and surgical scars.
Dr.
Snyder will
tailor the procedure
for to your skin
depending on the
type of acne scars
which you may have.
Subcision
may be recommended
in addition
for
treating
rolling scars as
well as combining
the Fraxel
resurfacing
procedure with punch
excisions for ice
pick scars.
Treatments are
typically done every
2 to 4 weeks.
Scars on any body
surface area can be
treated with the
Fraxel laser,
although scars on
the face respond the
best. Patients have
to be aware that
there is no cure for
(acne) scars but
that the Fraxel
Laser can result in
significant
improvement in the
appearance of acne
scars, far superior
to any other
procedures.
Ned Snyder IV, MD
/ Plastic Surgery
Renee
Snyder, MD / Dermatology
901 West
38th Street, Suite 410
Austin,
Texas 78705
Phone:
512-533-9900
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