Laser for Acne Scars in Toronto
Discover the best Acne Scar Laser in Toronto. Enhance your natural beauty with our expert treatments tailored to your unique needs.
Acne Scar Laser in Toronto
At Sovereign Skin, we are committed to helping you achieve the skin of your dreams – smooth, healthy, and scar-free. Laser for acne scars in Toronto is an effective treatment to address the aftermath of acne inflammation by removing hyperpigmentation and smoothing out texture irregularities. Whether you need a hand in combatting active acne or wish to reduce the appearance of acne scars, our skilled skincare specialists and laser technicians will find the best acne scar treatment to restore your self-confidence and the health of your skin.
Acne Scar Laser Treatment Before & After
What Is Acne?
Acne is an incredibly common condition that occurs when sebaceous glands or hair follicles get blocked and inflamed. While acne usually begins in adolescence, it can persist into adulthood, leading to significant emotional distress for patients of all ages.
Examples of acne include whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, cysts, and inflammatory papules. If not treated properly, acne can cause permanent scarring, which may be difficult to address.
Types of Acne Scarring
Atrophic Acne Scarring
Atrophic acne scarring occurs when there is a loss of tissue due to prolonged inflammation or extensive damage to the top layer of the skin.
- Depressed fibrotic scars: Large depressions in the skin that sometimes appear jagged
- Ice pick scars: The depression in the skin is small but deep and takes the shape of an “ice pick”
- Atrophic macules: Purplish or bluish spots, which fade over time into a shade lighter than the surrounding skin
- Soft scars: Round or linear scars that feel soft to the touch
- Perifollicular elastolysis scars (follicular macular atrophy): Small, raised lesions that are often confused with underdeveloped whiteheads
Hypertrophic Acne Scarring
Hypertrophic scarring is not common with acne, but it can still happen. It occurs when an excess amount of collagen is produced, forming large growths on the skin known as keloid scarring.
What Is Laser Acne Treatment in Toronto?
Thanks to advancements in modern technology, you don’t have to suffer from acne and acne scarring for much longer. The best lasers for acne scars in Toronto can now effectively treat acne and acne scarring on the face, back, chest, or other areas by targeting overactive sebaceous glands, reducing inflammation, killing acne-causing bacteria, and stimulating collagen production to smooth out pitted or textured scars. With consistent treatments, many patients experience clearer skin, a more even complexion, and renewed confidence.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Acne Scar Treatment?
Laser acne scarring treatment is beneficial for patients with the following characteristics:
- Good overall health: Patients should be in good physical and mental health and have realistic expectations for the results.
- Not currently taking Accutane: A waiting period of 6 months is recommended after stopping Accutane.
- Not pregnant: Laser treatments are generally not recommended during pregnancy.
- Minimal to moderate active acne: Severe active acne can interfere with the healing process and the effectiveness of laser treatment.
- Atrophic scars: These are the type of scars that laser resurfacing is most effective at addressing.
No active skin infections: Conditions like cold sores or skin infections should be resolved before treatment.
How Is Laser Acne Scar Removal Performed?
Acne scar lasers can be either ablative or non-ablative, with the treatment procedure varying between different laser types.
How Do Ablative Acne Scar Removal Lasers Work?
Ablative lasers work by removing the outer layer of skin (epidermis) while heating the underlying dermis. When the ablative laser is applied to the skin, fractional microbeams of laser energy target the scar tissue to penetrate the affected skin and stimulate the creation of fresh tissue. In the months following a series of treatments, the scar gradually fades and fills in.
When it comes to treating acne scarring, ablative and fractional lasers deliver dramatic results but require longer recovery times.
MicroLaserPeel
Treating acne scars with MicroLaserPeels involves removing the topmost layer of skin and stimulating collagen production, leading to smoother and less noticeable scars. These acne scar treatments use laser light to vaporize the upper layers of skin, encouraging the body’s natural healing processes to replace the damaged tissue with new, healthier skin cells.
CO2 Laser for Acne Scars
As a gold standard for deep acne scars and severe texture damage, the CO2 fractional laser for acne scars uses a fully ablative technology that precisely removes the outer layers of damaged skin while promoting increased collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. This dual action helps resurface the skin, smooth out indented scars, and promote healthier, firmer skin over time, often with dramatic improvement after just one treatment.
How Do Non-Ablative Acne Scar Removal Lasers Work?
Non-ablative lasers are gentler and work by heating the deeper layers of the skin without damaging the epidermis. While the results may be less dramatic than with ablative lasers, non-ablative options have much shorter and easier recovery times.
ClearLift Laser
Also known as Laser Facelift or Collagen Booster, ClearLift uses the advanced Q-Switched Nd:YAG technology to precisely disperse energy and promote rejuvenation and collagen production in delicate areas like the face, neck, and décolletage. This type of laser will not fill in deep atrophic scarring, but it can effectively address acne-related discoloration with no downtime.
AFT (Advanced Fluorescence Technology) Laser
AFT (Advanced Fluorescence Technology) laser is an advanced type of intense pulsed light (IPL) technology and a great treatment option for shallow or mild scars and skin discoloration. Unlike ablative lasers that remove the top layer of skin, AFT laser utilizes light to stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. It is considered a gentler approach with minimal downtime.
How Much Does Acne Scar Laser Treatment Cost in Toronto?
The acne scar laser surgery cost in Toronto can vary significantly, depending on the laser technology used, the type and depth of the scars, and the number of treatments needed. At the Sovereign Skin laser clinic, the laser surgery for acne scars price can vary between $200 and $3,000 per session. (Note that prices may change over time.) Book a consultation with one of our skincare specialists to determine the most suitable treatment plan and its associated cost.
Other Acne Scar Treatments to Pair with Laser
Acne scars aren’t easy to treat, and we often recommend combining laser for acne and acne scars with other treatments to achieve more dramatic improvements.
Dermal Fillers for Acne Scars
While dermal fillers are more often used for fine lines, wrinkles, and aging-associated volume loss, they can also be used to decrease the appearance of rolling acne scars. Dermal fillers provide immediate results with minimal downtime, but the treatments need to be repeated every several months to maintain the results.
Microneedling for Acne Scars
Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy (CIT), uses very fine needles to penetrate the skin and create tiny wounds. These controlled injuries trigger your skin’s healing response, which includes boosting collagen and elastin production. This, in turn, can help smooth the appearance of large pores, skin texture, and depressed acne scarring. RF (radiofrequency) microneedling is a more advanced version of regular microneedling and is incredibly effective in combating acne and acne scarring.
Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Chemical peels remove the outer layer of the skin through the application of an acid formulation. The depth of the post-peel exfoliation can be fully customized to your needs, and deeper peels are available to address atrophic scarring. For instance, TCA CROSS TCA (chemical reconstruction of skin scars for acne scars uses trichloroacetic acid), locally applied to the deepest portion of the pitted scar tissue to trigger a healing response and reduce the scar’s depth.
Acne Scar Subcision
Subcision is a technique used to release the tethered bands that prevent the depressed acne scars from filling in. After applying a local anesthetic to the treatment area, your skincare specialist will use a very fine instrument to break these fibrotic strands, releasing the upper dermal layer from the deeper fascia. This results in a smoother appearance and promotes the stimulation of collagen and elastin for long-term improvement.
Discover the Power of Acne Scar Laser in Toronto
At the Sovereign Skin cosmetic clinic, we offer a variety of laser acne scar treatments in Toronto to address all types of scarring. While acne scar laser is one of the most powerful treatment options, for most patients, we will incorporate more than one type of procedure and conduct several treatment sessions to achieve optimal results. Get in touch with us today to begin your journey to clear, smooth skin.
Treating Acne Scars with Laser: FAQs
Can acne scars be 100% removed?
Unfortunately, even the best laser acne scar removal in Toronto cannot eradicate acne scars 100%. However, significant improvements can be achieved with advanced treatments such as lasers for acne scars.
Can acne scars go away with laser?
Do not expect your acne scars to go away completely after a laser treatment. Instead, you will enjoy slow and subtle improvements that will continue for several months after your last laser treatment.
Which laser is best for acne scars?
The best laser for acne scars depends on the type of scarring being treated. For instance, CO2 fractional laser is the gold standard for treating pitted or atrophic acne scars, while IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy works wonders for post-acne hyperpigmentation.
What are the disadvantages of laser treatment for acne scars?
Laser treatments can be costly, require multiple sessions, involve downtime, and may cause temporary redness, swelling, or pigmentation changes. Nonetheless, most of our patients experience great improvements in their skin texture and find that laser acne scar treatments are worth it.
How painful is laser acne scar removal?
Laser for acne scars in Toronto should not be painful. Non-ablative lasers feel like mild snaps, while more intense ablative lasers are usually done with numbing cream or sedation.
