Small study found it improved skin with shorter recovery time than seen with another type of laser
WebMD News from HealthDay
By Tara Haelle
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The same kind of laser that is used to remove tattoos may reduce scarring from acne, a small pilot study shows.
Acne is the most common skin disease in the United States, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and another type of laser is already used to treat scarring from the condition.
However, the laser tested in this new study transmits lower energy doses and was used with a special add-on lens. The treatment reduced acne scarring by an average of 25 percent to 50 percent in 20 patients.
"We now have a safe, effective treatment option for acne scars in individuals of all skin types that requires minimal preparation before treatment and results in minimal downtime afterward," said lead researcher Dr. Jeremy Brauer, a dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.
Research has shown that acne scarring has negative psychological effects. The scars can ruin the skin's texture and are hard to conceal with makeup, said Dr. Omar Ibrahimi, a dermatologist at Stamford Hospital and Connecticut Skin Institute who specializes in treating scarring.
"Acne scarring can have a very negative impact on a person's well-being, and moderate and severe acne can leave its mark in the form of acne scars long after the condition has passed," Ibrahimi said. "Given that acne is a disease of youth, these scars can have a negative impact on a person's functioning in their most formative years. A procedure that has the potential to improve acne scars with only a few hours to a few days of redness and swelling is quite impressive."
In the study, 15 women and five men received six treatments with the special laser. The research was partly funded by Cynosure, a company providing aesthetic laser treatments, but Cynosure was not involved in the collection or analysis of data.
Patient follow-ups one and three months after their last treatment revealed a 25 percent to 50 percent visual improvement as assessed by dermatologists. A three-dimensional analysis showed an average 24 percent reduction of the amount of scarring.
source : Laser Used to Remove Tattoos May Help Reduce Acne Scars
