Ablative Non-fractional Lasers
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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.

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January 30, 2022
these things should be illegal

My problem was an accident scar from a freak accident not acne  but I stumbled on this site      Dr  Paul Carniol  a  very well-known Plastic surgeon somehow convinced me  at what was supposed to only be a second opinion consultation to cancel a different procedure with another Dr and quote unquote nick me with a laser    He did the CO2 and not only that, to my shock and horror he treated an area we never discussed     I now have a very long indented discolored  scar that is extremely noticeable that was not noticeable before Dr Carniol butchered me with a CO2 laser  Please do NOT allow anyone to touch you with these horrible devices  I regret it every second of every day   It ruined my life 

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July 15, 2019
Wish I'd never done it..

Had a horrific experience with CO2 laser for a boxcar scar with raised edges on my forehead. The procedure was done by a dermatologist renowned in the UK for laser treatments, but I ended up with what was probably a laser burn, far bigger than the original scar. 7 months later and it's still clear where the laser passed over (he only treated the raised edges allegedly, but covered a 2x3cm area when the original scar was more like 5x5mm at most). 

He also recommended steroid cream after the treatment, which should (I now know) have been avoided given my history of acne. I didn't have any active acne at the time (though I did tell him I was prone to it; that's how I got the scar in the first place) and using steroids gave me a crop of closed comedones and milia in the area that impeded the scar healing even more and so caused more scarring than I had to begin with. I even checked with him whether it was really safe for me to use steroids on a healing wound and with a history of acne, and he insisted it was.

My skin in the treated area is wrinkled and dented, and it's given me 8 months of misery. 

I'd avoid like the plague if I had my time again.

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January 14, 2017
I dont recommend CO2 and any other type of lasers.. Be careful..
CO2 Laser gives me more indentation and extend my scar... My acne scar now also more visible and ı am also suffer from mild depression obssession because of enlarged my scar... I wish ı hadnt done laser treatment... My doctor didnt tell any complications these procedure we have to investigate and protect ourselfes...Now ı'm trying to correct co2 laser(eco2 lutronic) harm... Please dont do these procedure..
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May 28, 2011

Pros:

sadly none

Cons:

oozing after
crusting
downtime of a week
scabbing
left with more scars
redness for about a month

I am begging you with all of my heart not to get this treatment. I didn't want to get laser at first but my mother insisted and insisted and so i gave in. It was painful and very disgusting afterwards.I mean VERY disgusting. After all the peeling went away i was very pink and puffed .I had some hope since some scars went away, however after the swelling and the redness left i saw i had MORE scars. It is very painful to go throughout the day knowing i have so many more scars. (and i really do have a LOT more) Im really begging you not to get this treatment. I cry everything i have to look in the mirror now, with and without make-up.
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March 19, 2011

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

Latent damage 1-3yrs later...scarring, DNA damage, lines, cracks, etc, etc, etc

Costly and painful. Caused atrophic, rolling, ice pick, boxcar scars and hypertrophic scarring, damage down to the muscle, accelerated aging, discoloration, dna damage...I could go on and on and on. All lasers are pure radiation to the skin and deeper in my personal experience. Want to look disfigured, go for a laser. Don't want to look disfigured, don't go for laser treatments. Find something else, facials, natural lotions, vitamins...anything else.
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September 27, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

I have a web of white scars on my cheeks on top of the old acne scars from laser burns.

I am posting this to warn others that this is serious surgery. I know you are unhappy with the scars but consider that it could be worse. The outer layer of your skin is taken off with this procedure. Remember just because a plastic surgeon is quoted in magazines, that doesn't mean he's good. Or that he did implants for a star. Or that he has an office in Beverly Hills. He could be one of the worst doctors around despite all appearances and this one was. Subsequent doctors were horrified at what he did to me. Bottom line is you can't trust doctors, you have to make an informed decision yourself. But don't trust what they tell you to make up your mind, think it through logically yourself. I've spent thousands of dollars to mitigate the damage but nothing has helped, I will include that in the price below. Don't trust anyone to do this to your face. The risks are too great. There are other treatments with less potentially devastating results to try.
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July 30, 2009
I totally agree with Sharon in Tampa FL from July 13, 2009. I had this procedure done in April 2007. Not only was the procedure very painful during, but the healing time was also very painful for the first 5 days and with nothing but an OTC pain reliever. I had deep-pitted scars, mainly on my cheeks. During the healing process my face was very swollen and when the bleeding and oozing and redness began to subside a little bit, I thought it had really worked, my skin was SO smooth, however, that was short-lived, when the swelling went down I was left with the same scars and a bright red/pink shiny face. I had problems with little whiteheads popping up all over from using the Aquaphor. The long-term results I think I received from this $5,000 procedure, I would say maybe, maybe 10% improvement, I also have brown spots and alot of broken little blood vessels. The doctor told me I could try this procedure again, but I don't have that kind of money, that was a one time thing.
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June 20, 2009

Pros:

I had some scaring from large pores on the bottom part of both cheeks. I had the erbium laser twice in the last 10 months and my face looks worse than it did to start with. I am scarred now on all of my face from the laser. I never had acne until now

Cons:

I am so depressed now because after going through the pain twice, it has made my face worse. I can't stand to look in the mirror now. I thought I was doing something to help me out but only made things worse.

If anyone knows anything I can do for scarring from the laser, please let me know. I am so sad about this and it's taking over my life. Thank you.
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January 10, 2009

Pros:

I did see some improvement after my first co2 laser peel, six months later I had another and had horrible results. I started getting cystic ance, every pore on my faces was broken out and I have been battling acne ever since.

Cons:

Some results after the first co2 laser. It's been all downhill from there. I'm 32 and I still find myself taking antibiotics for acne. My skin was never this way before the laser peels.

I've had two co2 laser peels and 2 fraxel laser peels. After my second fraxel peel I've been continously fighting acne and my skin is blotchy. If you have ance scars try microdermabrasion first, I wish I would have.
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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.
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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