Acne scars can be the most frustrating condition for many people, especially when everything from creams to home remedies proves to have negligible success. Fortunately, laser acne scar removal Singapore has emerged as one of the most effective treatments available in Singapore. Nowadays, especially young adults, are opting for this treatment to get smoother and even skin, one of the major concerns being the pain level for that treatment. Does laser acne scar removal hurt? How painful is it? Here’s an informative article detailing what you can expect in terms of pain experienced during the treatment.
Laser Acne Scar Removal: Does It Hurt?
One of the most common queries people have regarding laser acne scar removal is, “Does it hurt?” The pain threshold of the individual, the type of laser used, and the depth of the spots will most likely determine the answer to this question; however, here’s a general consensus on pain and discomfort.
Pain Levels Vary
- Mild to Moderate Pain: For most patients, this procedure is mild to moderately painful. The sensation felt is often compared to the snap of a rubber band applied to the skin feeling that is uncomfortable for just an instant but not agonising.
- Topical anaesthesia: This is given before the procedure. It helps to reduce the pain because of its function in providing a numbing cream that helps reduce the feeling of the laser on your skin, making it a less painful process.
- Deeper Scars May Be More Painful: It can also be more painful due to the deeper scars because of the fact that laser therapy is allowed to cut deeper into the skin. In most cases, the pain felt in the procedure is tolerable, even for deeper treatments.
- Post-Treatment Sensitivity: Your skin will be sensitive after the treatment, similar to mild sunburn. This reaction is usually transient and resolves within hours or a couple of days.
Factors Determining Pain Levels
A myriad of factors influence how much pain you may feel during laser acne scar removal:
- Type of Laser: The lasers used for acne scar treatment Singapore tend to vary. Some are stronger and therefore cause higher degrees of pain, examples include the CO2 fractional laser. Others which inflict less pain and are gentler on the skin include non-ablative lasers.
- Treatment Area: Different parts of the skin react differently to the treatments. For example, there may be a more sensitive jawline or forehead area.
- Individual Pain Threshold: Everyone is different in experiencing pain. Some would hardly feel it, while others find the procedure more uncomfortable. Knowing your pain threshold will help you set an expectation for treatment.
Pain Control in Laser Pimple Scar Removal Singapore
While the term laser does seem intimidating, the fact is that there are several things you can do to mitigate the pain felt by laser pimple scar removal treatments.
1. Anaesthetic Creams for Topical Application
As indicated earlier, topical creams applied prior to the procedure anaesthetise the areas that would be treated, and thus, subtly withdraw any feeling. This leaves a sea of difference for most patients as it clears a way for the laser to move over the skin with as few discomforts as possible.
2. Cooling Aids
In many Singapore clinics, cooling aids are normally used in conjunction with laser treatment. The cooling aids blow air over the skin to remove the sensation of heat brought by the laser.
3. Pain Medication
If you cannot stand the pain then, you can take an ibuprofen mild pain reliever before treatment so that you can have some relief from the pain. Inform your dermatologist first as you want to ensure that it would not interrupt your visit and does not trigger you with other health issues.
4. Aftercare for Least Possible Discomfort
The patients will be advised to strictly adhere to aftercare procedures as given by the dermatologist after the procedure. This may be in the form of the use of cream, or more importantly, a blackout from the sun, thus ensuring it heals faster and hence completely devoid of any pain.
Process of Laser Acne Scar Removal in Singapore: What to Expect
Now that we’ve covered the levels of pain and benefits of the procedure, here is what will happen in the laser scar removal of acne treatment process step by step:
1. Consultation
You will be consulted with a dermatologist before the start of your treatment for them to examine your skin and determine whether you are qualified for laser treatment of acne scars. The dermatologist will discuss the types of lasers applicable to your case and the pain you would endure.
2. Preparation
On the procedure day, your dermatologist will clean the skin, and apply a numbing cream, and thus you won’t feel any pain at all. This cream is left on for a period of about 30 minutes before it becomes most potent.
3. The Treatment
Once the topical anaesthetic has taken its effect, the treatment will then commence with the laser. The duration of treatment depends on the laser type; treatment can take anywhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes. You may even feel heat or a snapping sensation during treatment, but this is minimal and will be okay for most people.
4. Aftercare
After the treatment, your skin will, like a mild sunburn, be red and swollen. Your dermatologist will prescribe after-care instructions; this may incorporate the application of soothing cream as well as keeping indoors until you avoid the sunlight.
Conclusion
Laser acne scar removal in Singapore is a highly efficient treatment to reduce the appearance of acne scars. While the treatment itself causes some discomfort, most people manage this level of tolerance well, especially when they use numbing creams and cooling devices. The pain is typically mild to moderate, and post-treatment sensitivity typically fades within a few days. Most people will weigh the benefits of smooth skin against temporary discomfort and see that laser acne scar removal is truly worth it. Consult a dermatologist for suitable treatment options and pain management advice.
