Acne can have a detrimental effect on the lives of those who suffer with it, but unfortunately, every blemish carries with it the potential for leaving behind more permanent damage: acne scarring. Acne scarring occurs when collagen, a substance the skin creates to repair itself, is utilized by the body to heal wounds created by acne, but build up in excess in the skin. Instead of repairing the damage, the collagen stays in place permanently and results in scarring.
At La Mano, we use the Alma Clear Skin Er:Glass (erbium glass fiber) fractional laser to treat the acne scars. During the procedure, local anesthetic is used to numb the area. Then, a beam of light energy, the laser, is directed at the problem areas of the skin, destroying the cells of the outer layers and delivering heat to the underlying skin to provide a boost to collagen production. As the skin heals, it is healthier and smoother, minimizing the appearance of unsightly scarring.