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After 15 years of sometimes cystic acne, I was finally able to find a solution which didn't involve Accutane. I am clear now but am left with some scarring. I consulted with my dermatologist regarding scar treatments and he said that I have a combination of boxcar and icepick scars. I have 3 boxcar scars on my right cheek, 1 boxcar on my left cheek, 2 boxcars on my right temple, 1 boxcar on my left temple, 1 boxcar on my forehead and a cluster of icepicks above my eyebrow which forms a line.
She wants to spot treat with the traditional CO2 laser on my temples and forehead and start with subcision on both of my cheeks since they are deeper. For a 2nd and any remaining sessions, he would just be using the CO2 laser on all of my scars. She told me about the redness that I will experience for a few months and I am okay with that. I have been reading reviews on here though and other sites and am reading a lot of things that are making me nervous. Permanent hyperpigmentation, hypopigmenation, new scars, etc. I understand there are always risks but it seems like a lot of people come out unhappy. Should i avoid the traditional CO2 laser and ask for Fraxel Repair?
I have pale white skin and am probably a 2 on the Fitzpatrick scale.
Honestly, he sounds like a good doctor and seems to have a good plan of action.
I would personally ask for a fractional co2 rather than the old school co2 though. The old school co2 does have better results, but it has around a 20% chance of pigmentation issues, has a bunch more risk and the fractional co2 goes deeper in general. I would personally do 1-2 treatments with the fractional and then if it doesn't help, possibly consider the old school co2. Fraxel repair is a type of co2 laser fyi. Traditional co2 ablates everything in its path, whereas fractional co2 only ablates a % of the skin - there are many different brands of fractional co2, and they all generally work the same.
from my own personal experience I wouldnt suggest a traditional co2 laser for anyone... it has left me, for the last two months, with extremely uneven skin tone and tiny holes... my derm also only spot treated my skin and im very unhappy to date 
So sorry to be a downer but I feel like at least now I might be able to prevent someone from following in the same path. I too have extremely pale skin, whenever i have a pimple the red mark sticks around for a while.... so if you have skin like that, id do more of a fractional laser and move forward from there.
On a positive note - a derm that is WELL educated and gives you options for you to decided seems fantastic, and i would trust him/her and make sure to communicate all your fears and concerns.
