Acne can be a rite of passage for many people as they go through puberty. But for some, the problem can be very serious, and cause permanent scarring. Now, new research shows how this scarring can be reversed. 7Healthcast reporter Janet Wu explains.
Ariana Tauro is now 20 years old and no longer in high school. But acne scars that began during freshman year are still there.
Ariana Tauro, Patient
"It's more so visible when I'm not, tan and then the scarring I guess, really like a couple of years ago, maybe when I stopped going through puberty and it started scarring."Dr. David Goldberg, Dermatologist
"Millions of people have this problem. The more common of acne scarring is the fact that the pimple is so inflamed, that the inflammation itself actually destroys the skin and that leads to the scar."
But that scarring doesn't have to be permanent. Anew laser, called a YAG laser - can now remove the scar - without pain.
Dr. David Goldberg, Dermatologist
"The way the lasers work for acne scars is that they actually build collagen below the skin - that is that they take an acne scar that is deep and they push it up from below. They do nothing from the outside, they push it up from below and therefore it's less obvious to the eye."
Patients with acne scars - got five laser sessions every 3 weeks. Doctors found that the YAG laser worked best on mild to moderate facial scars. Best of all, Ariana is getting her treatment during her lunch break with no downtime.
Ariana Tauro, Patient
"I just really want to be natural looking and simple. That's what my goal is."
Doctors say that wide and shallow scars respond best to the laser - while deep narrow scars are much more difficult - if not impossible, to erase.
