Acne scars are nature's cruel joke. You spend months or sometimes years fighting the frustrating battle against acne. You dig into your pocket for expensive medications or treatments before finally finding out what works for your skin.

At the end of the day, what is your reward for all that hard work? A face full of pockmarks.

The good news is that acne scars are treatable. There are a variety of treatments and techniques, but some of our most effective options include two lasers: the Fraxel laser and the Fotona laser for acne scars.

Scars before and after treatment

What Is the Fraxel Laser?

Fraxel is a non-ablative fractional laser. "Non-ablative" means that while the laser can treat deeper layers of the skin, it leaves the surface of your skin intact. It casts the laser energy through the skin rather than piercing the skin.

"Fractional" means that Fraxel sends many thin beams of light into your skin. Other lasers use one thicker beam. While fractional lasers provide great cosmetic results, they get the job done with far less recovery time than traditional lasers.

Using these fractional beams of laser light, Fraxel breaks down scar tissue from acne scars. The heat also causes your body to produce fresh collagen: a natural protein that makes skin smooth and firm. That new collagen replaces the scar tissue, making your acne scars less visible.

On top of acne scars, Fraxel and its collagen-building powers can make your skin firmer, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Fraxel also reduces age spots by breaking down the excess pigment in your skin.

What Is the Fotona Fractional Laser?

The Fotona 3D Laser Face Lift is a unique treatment. The procedure uses three different types of laser action.

First, it uses intense long-puls ND-Yag laser, which is a non-ablative laser that build heat deep in the skin to build more collagen. This laser travels deep into the skin, heating the deep layers of your skin to stimulate collagen production.

Finally, the Fotona laser uses a cold ablative laser to exfoliate the damaged surface layer of your skin. This reduces surface damage like fine lines while also helping to reduce your acne scars.

On top of the traditional Fotona 3D Face Lift, our team adds a fourth dimension called a "smooth mode" laser. We use this laser to send heat into the deep layers of skin around your mouth, in an area called the nasolabial folds. This rebuilds collagen in an area that's prone to wrinkles and aging.

How Are the Fraxel and Fotona Lasers Similar?

Fraxel and Fotona lasers have many similarities. They are both fractional, allowing them to have far lower recovery times than traditional lasers would require.

Both of these procedures also use multiple wavelengths of laser light. This allows them to address acne scars in addition to multiple types of aging.

Finally, both Fraxel and Fotona lasers are minimally invasive. They don't require any incisions or needles, so they're less intimidating than many other treatment options.

How Are the Fraxel and Fotona Lasers Different in Edmonton?

While they have their similarities, Fraxel and Fotona have plenty of differences as well.

First of all, Fraxel is entirely non-ablative, so your surface skin isn't disrupted at all. While Fotona uses some non-ablative lasers, it also uses an ablative laser during the treatment. This allows Fotona to treat some surface imperfections that Fraxel doesn't address.

That doesn't mean that Fotona requires more recovery time, though. In fact, Fraxel takes a more aggressive approach to treating acne scars and facial aging.

As a result, Fotona only causes mild redness after the procedure, and this fades within a few hours. Most patients even get their Fotona treatment during their lunch hour and go back to work afterward.

Fraxel, on the other hand, will lead to a longer recovery. Your skin will be quite red after the procedure, and it can take three to seven days for it to fade. You'll be feeling well enough to go to work, but you may not be happy with the way your skin looks for a few days.

How Do I Know if Fraxel or the Fotona Laser for Acne Scars Is the Right Choice for Me in Edmonton?

Knowing all the ways Fraxel and Fotona compare, how do you know which one is the best fit for what you need?

It all depends on your unique skin, your priorities, and the cosmetic issues you want to address. You don't have to figure it out on your own regardless. That's why we provide free consultations for laser patients.

Our laser technicians know skin and lasers well enough to tell you which procedure is best suited to your skin. We'll be able to talk to you about what each treatment entails and help you make the decision about which path to go.

Keep in mind that the course of treatment will be different for each person too. We'll be able to estimate how many sessions you will need with your chosen treatment before you get the results you want.

How to Get On the Path to Smoother Skin in Edmonton

Acne scars are frustrating, despite how common they are. In fact, 80% of people between ages 11 and 30 struggle with acne, and many of them have scars left behind.

While there are no reliable ways to treat acne scars at home, you can get fantastic results in the hands of trained professionals with the right laser for acne scars.

If you're ready to take the first step toward clearer, smoother skin you can feel proud of, schedule a free skin treatment consultation today.

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