From growth spurts and body odor to awkward and dramatic changes to our bodies and acne, puberty is rarely kind to any of us. While most of us are able to eventually adjust to these sudden developments, acne can leave many patients with visible scars on their faces that last a lifetime. These scars can have a deep and long-lasting impact on your confidence and self-esteem. While there are lots of topical creams and ointments that could be able to help less severe cases of acne scars, for many people the best option is a non-invasive procedure called laser resurfacing. Patients can get much smoother and clearer skin with just a couple of treatments. The change is so startling that it can often completely change our patients’ lives. Just take a look at our gallery of before-and-after pictures to see the kind of breathtaking results our patients get. If you’d like to work with a dermatologist, then make sure you get in touch with us.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Our skin is the largest organ in our body, and it protects our delicate insides from the outside world. Our skin is made up of three main layers of skin: the epidermis (the very top layer), the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer on the very bottom. These layers of skin are comprised of a complex “matrix” that is made up of a protein called collagen. This matrix supports the skin and gives it fullness and structure.
Now, when the skin is damaged, it will start to repair itself using the “matrix” as a guide. However, with acne, the skin can’t repair itself fast enough because the acne infections are almost constant. Instead, the skin will start to generate scar tissue which is much faster and easier for the body to create. But scar tissue has some problems. Not only does it destroy the matrix, but the scar tissue also is thicker and less elastic.
Treating Acne Scars with Laser Resurfacing
Patients who suffer from acne scars can get beautiful, smooth, and healthy-looking skin using laser resurfacing. Here’s how it works.
- The lasers – Dr. Sikorski uses several different types of lasers for resurfacing depending on the severity of the scars. But the most common are CO2 and Erbium lasers.
- Starting over – As Dr. Sikorski passes the lasers over the skin, the laser destroys very thin layers of skin. This allows the skin to start rebuilding those layers without the scar tissue.
- Recovering – After laser resurfacing, patients will need to take great care in their recovery period. The skin is usually pink and tender afterward. It also needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid infection.
Why Work with Dr. Sikorski for Laser Resurfacing
Patients absolutely love working with Dr. Sikorski for several important reasons. First of all, the results that they get from their treatment with her are world-class. Take a quick look through our gallery of Before-and-After patient pictures to see the beautiful, natural-looking results that our patients get. Second, Dr. Sikorski is one of the dermatologists in the nation. She’s one of only a very few doctors who are recognized by American Board of Dermatology and a Diplomat of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Finally, Dr. Sikorski has worked from day one to build compassionate, kind, and honest relationships with all of her patients.
Our patients always know all the risks of every procedure, and we make sure you’re comfortable at every step along the way. For more information on laser resurfacing for acne scars, call our office to get started.