Ablative Non-fractional Lasers
Results
Side Effects

Ablative lasers shine an intense beam of light at the skin. The light completely removes (ablates) the entire epidermis. It also stimulates the...

Ablative lasers shine an intense beam of light at the skin. The light completely removes (ablates) the entire epidermis. It also stimulates the underlying dermis to produce more collagen and elastin over time.

 [more]
2.3
33
Read All About Ablative Non-fractional Lasers
Compare To Other Treatments
5
3%
4
18.2%
3
21.2%
2
18.2%
1
39.4%

Used Ablative Non-fractional Lasers? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
November 12, 2007

Pros:

None

Cons:

Further damaged my skn

Beware. My scars are worse than before the laser surgery, and the texture of my skin is weird and shiny. The laser caused scars that look like long lines down my face. I wish I had invested my time and resources into figuring out how to accept myself 'as is' rather than dropping 5 K for intense suffering and worse skin.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 31, 2007

Pros:

Almost totally erased terrible acne scarring all over my face

Cons:

expensive and long down-time -- two weeks. It's surgery, you look horrible after, red, swollen, hideous. Perhaps it isn't the right thing for everyone, I don't know.

I can't understand how people can get the surface of their face blasted off and not see some significant improvement in scarring! But according to some of these posts, it happens. But it saved my life, it got rid of most of the scars except four really deep ones. It doesn't work for raised scars, as far as I know, and may make them worse.
This Was Helpful

15 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 10, 2007

Pros:

The smoothness right after the swelling, which is fleeting of course. So enjoy it while it lasts!

Cons:

The most recent procedure after 10 yrs of skincare frustrations. The erbium laser, $5000 for nothing. I had it done in april of this year. I have talked to my dr. since and he seems insensitive about my distress.

My surgeon and his entire staff glorified the procedure. As soon as i let them know i was unhappy, they made me feel like one of those people who expect miracles in plastic surgery. I know i am not, i have had other surgeries in which i still enjoy the results. I guess my thoughts are that the procedure is too expensive for what results people seem to be getting. Scarring makes you self concious. And i think it is hard for people to understand that. I can think of many things to do with five grand, but the fact is when you have bad skin you will pay anything for improvement....and they know it.
This Was Helpful

12 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 3, 2007

Pros:

Co2 laser resurfacing greatly diminished lines around my mouth. The healing was an 8 day nightmare, however, and more work needs to be done. I am investigating the Active FX laser now. Perhaps it can blast off another layer, and it works on the neck.

Cons:

It was expesnive and scary, due to the risk of infection that my surgeon constantly emphasized.

Once was enough with this type of procedure. I wish I had never smoked or sat in the sun!
This Was Helpful

Report
August 27, 2007

Pros:

It reduced my chin scars that were mild to moderate by about 75%. I t produces collagen and makes your whole face wrinkes and all look younger. It takes at least two tx and time for the collagen to fill in depressions. I wear no make-up now.

Cons:

IT costs 4900 for 2 and you look like a monster for 7-10 days and can't go to work. It hurts too.

it can take up to a yr for full results. My chin scars improved by 75%. But of course i want them to be 100%. I don't think that will happen. It also takes about 5-10 yrs off your face, due to the collagen. It;s used for everything. You have too use retin a and hydroquine creame for a long time to increse the results. I go on the 30 for my two month post check after my 2nd one. Then you have a deep glycolic peel. The MD will let me no if i need another one. Before he said no and i'd never have to put fillers in my chin again. Overall i'm happy. I'm just too hard on my skin and want it too look like a baby's butt. Is there such a thing when your 39 and had acne on your chin. I also had some depressions from kenalog injections for yrs.It's called the coolaser at epione in bevery hills. That is the only place to get it, d/t the MD invented it and keeps it exclusive to himself.I still see imperfections on my chin, but i may have to deal with it. Again it was worth it.
This Was Helpful

Report
August 10, 2007

Pros:

had CO2 laser done about 1.5 yrs ago. very painful, bleeding, swelling. i now have these white spots on my face and the Dr. kept giving me bleaching cream and retin A...its obvious that Dr.Pozner went to deep, i now have permanet blotchiness

Cons:

all of it.

Dr. Pozner was supposed to be the best....??? He just kept giving me bleach and retin A. People ask me all the time what happened to my face.....
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 1, 2007

Pros:

no pros in fraxel treatments

Cons:

it is painful, redness, swelling, no improvments

i had 3 fraxel treatments done, the medical staff will tell you that it only sting but the treatment hurts tremendously. after the treatment, the face swells with redness for at least 4-5 days. The medical staff will also tell you that you will see improvment in about 6 months but again they lied. My treatment was 1 1/2 year ago and still i have not seen any improvment in my skin and my skin actually looked worse due to the darkened spot damaged by the laser.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 30, 2007

Pros:

Erased wrinkles around eye area

Cons:

Not the results I had hoped for. 2 weeks off work and face really red like severe sunburn.Did not do any thing for scares or pit marks.Almost eight months now and no real difference.

For almost $5000 not at all satisfied. Saw a different dermatologist last month who advised filling in scars with Ridiasse. Worked very well on deep scars and creases around mouth area. First doctor agreed to re-do lazer with me paying only for the anathesiologist. Still thinking about it.
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 12, 2007

Pros:

Significant improvement (better than I expected). Skin is softer than it's ever been

Cons:

Down time/cost/anesthesia

I had CO2 resurfacing done 1.5 years ago and am quite satisifed with the results. I am 49 years old and quite frankly, most of the older procedures were quite scary, and as bad as my scarring was, it just never got in the way of my personal or professional life. The procedure, which I have no memory of because of the conscious sedation, was painless, post op painless, and the recovery was long and more annoying than anything else. Went out in public after a few days just out of boredom. Looked horrendous, but pretty much I generally don't care what other people think! Itching and crusting drove me batty. All in all, I had about a 70% improvement, and went in knowing that my skin would never, ever be perfect. The procedure cost $3700, and I had some micro dermabrasion prior to that to see how my skin would respond for about $1500. Took me a year to finally decide to get the procedure done. May or may not consider other procedures for more improvement
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 31, 2007

Pros:

co2 lazer

Cons:

acne scarring

well s been 2 months still alot of redness inprovment.
This Was Helpful

Report
Previous
1 2 3 4
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website