A new treatment for acne and facial scars has the ability to deliver superior results and reduced recovery time when compared to traditional scar treatment modalities. The treatment was developed by N.J. dermatologist Jeffrey Rapaport, MD, PA, who has used this advanced procedure to treat moderate-to-severe cases of acne and other facial scarring with up to 25% improved results over typical methods employed to treat these kinds of cases.
“Acne and facial scar treatment saw a big advancement with the introduction of erbium laser and carbon dioxide laser modalities. The field took another leap forward with the introduction of fractionated lasers, which made it possible to target specific areas of the skin without having to treat the entire skin layer,” explains Dr. Rapaport. “This latest advance combines the benefits of these two proven treatments to give patients better results than they would see from either treatment on its own.”
According to Dr. Rapaport, the combination of using both erbium and carbon dioxide lasers allows his practice to treat moderate-to-severe cases of acne and facial scarring with 20-25% improved results and up to 60% reduced recovery time. “With traditional carbon dioxide lasers, the primary downside is the recovery time, which is usually around 7-10 days,” says Dr. Rapaport. “For most patients, this means taking additional time off from work or other activities, which is an inconvenience. The recovery time from erbium laser treatments is shorter, but the results aren’t as good. Our combined laser treatment uses both the heating modality of the erbium laser and the vaporizing modality of the CO2 laser to gain the benefits of each with a single treatment.”
Dr. Rapaport reports that many patients will see results in just one session, although more severe cases may need 2-3 sessions to achieve their desired results. Patients who have tried Dr. Rapaport’s new treatment for their acne and facial scarring report excellent results. One patient credits Dr. Rapaport with “giving him his face back,” and states, “I was slashed across my face with a box cutter and I looked horrible and people stared at me all the time. Through Dr. Rapaport’s scar revision surgery, the scar has become barely noticeable and I am ecstatic about it.”
Dr. Rapaport’s key advice to patients seeking treatment for their acne and facial scars is to go to a dermatologist whose practice specializes in these types of scars. “I see a lot of patients who have been told by dermatologists and plastic surgeons that there is nothing that can be done for their scars, and in most cases, we are able to help by employing an individualized plan for their specific type of scarring,” says Dr. Rapaport. “The truth is, there is no one treatment that works for every case. For example, in cases where the scars are depressed, it doesn’t matter how many laser treatments the patient undergoes—the laser isn’t going to raise the scars.” In cases like these, Dr. Rapaport can use a multi-lift technique to prepare the skin and raise the scar prior to introducing the laser treatment to improve results.
Treatments like these can vastly improve patients’ lives, according to Dr. Rapaport. “Acne scars are really devastating for people of all ages,” he says. “I’ve been doing this for over 25 years, and the change in people’s demeanor, attitude, state of mind and their outlook on life is completely different after they have their scars treated. They are no longer self-conscious. It makes a huge difference in people’s lives when you can improve their confidence by improving the way they look.”
Dr. Rapaport has locations in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. and Old Bridge, N.J. More information on Dr. Rapaport and his practice is available at: http://cosmeticskin.com