Had laser resurfacing about 3 years ago by a dermatologist who is supposed to be the best in the city. It was only for a few icepick scars on my forehead. The scars are now a little less deep but still almost the same. And I was left with new scars, too. I wish I'd had other people's comments to read like this before I went. He suggested I came back a second time. No thanks.

This forum confirms my thoughts about the "ablative" (invasive) lasers for acne scarring. They are not all they're "cracked" up to be...but the Doctors love them b/c they can charge 5,000.

I think the best way to go is with PULSE DYED LASERS (IE. Candela Smoothbeam Laser) or Dermabrasion (probably the least expensive procedure).

I had 4 treatments with a Pulse-Dyed Candela Smoothbeam Laser. I think it helped! It's almost been a year since I had the last treatment and I'm starting to notice my face not looking as good. I'm going to go back again for another procedure. One must have a procedure done every 6 months after the inital 4-6 treatments. By the way, the procedure for the pulse dyed laser is just an "in and out" visit to the office and you look completely normal after the procedure and back to work (or home). You are required to wear numbing cream which kills the pain from the pulses. Only a little feeling of puffiness after the procedure but you are fine the next day, with no redness...very simple.

Basically, the pulse dyed laser stimulates your skin to produce collagen and it fills in the pores. The only negative is that it destroys your Sebacious glands (oil glands) ... you definitely want to consider this before going in the procedure. I would only get the scarring areas treated.

I found a place that only charged 100 / procedure for the Candela Smoothbeam (full face). I know many doctors charge 400-500 / procedure for the laser...the treatment is so easy it really doesnt matter who you go to (just make sure you wear the eyewear) so do your research who who owns the laser. I could give the treatment with a 5 minute lesson.

Bottom line, after doing alot of research on acne scarring... i would not have the invasive procedure done. The simplist procedures are probably the most effective. Pulse Dyed, derm, etc.

it worked good, got rid of most my scars but it took a long time before healing

I had CO2 laser treatment almost three years ago, and I wouldn't recommend it. I had it done for very mild acne scars, but it did very little if anything for them, and then I ended up with noticably larger pores than before the procedure. So far the only thing I can recommend is Retin-A, like Differin. I'm using right now, but I have yet to see any significant results.

just 2 weeks past the post operative stage and can't really tell if there's going to be any difference. my doctor is supposed to be "one of the best" in town so i'm confident. had actually read the comments here months before so i was a bit hesitant of getting a go for the laser treatment but i did eventually. looking at the mirrow now i can say that my scars are still there and now more obvious because they're deep red. the doctor promised that the depression will be shallower by .5 mm and i hope it does because right now i can't see any difference between the scars i had before the laser and the ones that are visible right now. im just a bit curious as to why the doctor never took the necessary protocols before the operation such as taking pictures of my scars, assessing my skin type, the history of facial medical treatment, and what level of success i should expect from the treatment. he was also moving very fast as if wanting to see as many patients for the day as possible, which makes me think now that he was just after my money and did not really care about helping me get rid of my scars. so a bit of a caution to others: look for a dermatologist/doctor who doesn't give the impression that he's just after your money because that's a big sign he doesn't care about really helping you with your acne scars.

no result at all...

CO2 laser is great for wrinkles on very fair skin. It does nothing for scars and caused me hypopigmentation.

I had the CO2 laser procedure done about four years ago. I came across this site in search of something to help my still existing scars. My laser procedure was a nightmare! I was taking prednisone to treat my Crohns Disease at the time and was not a good canidate. The doctor should have turned me away because of this but he just wanted the seven thousand dollars I had to pay for the treatment. After laser surgery I had to go to the hospital several times because my face could not heal because of the prednisone. My scars were three times worse when it was all said and done. I still cry because of how the CO2 laser has made my face look.

I got laser resuracing (Co2 laser & erbium laser) done for ance scars and for :) lines AKA smokers mouth... I am 7 days post getting the procedure. The Dr did mostly around my mouth and chin area and then a light surfacing around the rest of my face. So far it looks good.Skin peeled away quickly Soaked my face 3 times a day and kept it covered with vaseline the whole time until the skin peel off.The area my Dr foucsed on is still very red but it is only 7 days later. But it KILLED. Very painful.....

Had CO2 laser resurfacing in 1999. Didn't know beforehand that it is only expected to improve 10-25%. Wouldn't have done it if I had known that. My improvement was more like 10% if that. I suspected additional scars (from the laser itself) but my doctor denied it. The literature states that additional scars are a possibility.

Recovery was long and difficult. Major redness for 6 months - I had to wear makeup (I'm a guy, so it wasn't fun). Every 2 hours for the first 48 hours, I had to soak skin with cold water compresses and then coat with Vaseline-- what a major pain! Plus I'm not sure why the doctor recommended Vaseline because I've read recently it's not good for "burns".

As a result of the CO2 laser, I have sensitivity to the sun (more so than before), very minor improvement in scars, some additional scars, and blotchiness/discoloration in spots - the redness never went away completely. The only positive thing about the laser treatment is that it is painless, even during recovery. However, I cannot recommend it at all.