Many methods have been proposed for the treatment of acne scars, with variable cosmetic results. Nonablative skin resurfacing is one method that involves dermis and subcutaneous heating with lasers for the purpose of inducing new connective tissue growth. Because of a need for more noticeable clinical improvements, the ablative fractional laser was recently introduced to resurface acne scars.

Ablative skin resurfacing typical causes visible trauma to the patient’s skin. Aesthetic physicians who have both modalities can try to reduce complications and improve the results of ablative laser resurfacing (carbon dioxide, erbium or fractional lasers) by combining this treatment of acne scars with nonablative lasers.

For patients of  skin phototypes III-V with atrophic facial acne scars, the combination of ablative laser resurfacing and nonablative laser resurfacing yields the best results with fewer complications.

Pulsed dye laser (PDL, 595 nm) is the current treatment of choice for port-wine stains (PWS), but 25–50% of treated lesions do not demonstrate a significant improvement.

Combination of laser may improve treatment efficacy, especially those using the synergies between PDL and Nd:YAG 1064nm laser. There is a growing body of research and anecdotal evidence that the dual wavelength approach shows efficacy with less discomfort for the patient.

What do brown spots, liver spots, sun spots, age spots, pigmented spots, sun burns, melasma, chloasma, hiperpigmentation and skin cancer have in common? The sun damage.

Watch the Sun Damaged Skin Slideshow of alarming pictures of skin damage and take action to prevent skin problems and reduce your skin care costs.