Acne scars can linger long after breakouts have cleared, affecting your confidence and how you see yourself in the mirror. While makeup can temporarily mask the texture and discoloration, it doesn’t address the underlying skin damage that creates those frustrating indentations, raised areas, and uneven tone.
Traditional treatments for acne scarring have ranged from chemical peels to aggressive ablative lasers, each with their own limitations. Chemical peels often require multiple sessions with modest results, while older laser technologies carried significant risks for darker skin tones and extended recovery periods that disrupted daily life.
Now, there’s a more advanced solution. UltraClear® cold fiber laser technology represents a breakthrough in treating acne scars safely and effectively for all skin types. At the Eyelid Center of Utah in Draper, Dr. Kian Eftekhari offers this FDA-cleared treatment to patients throughout the Salt Lake City area who are ready to move past their acne scarring and reveal smoother, more even skin.
Understanding How Acne Scars Form
Before diving into treatment solutions, it’s helpful to understand why acne leaves lasting marks on your skin. When acne penetrates deep into the dermis, it damages the skin tissue and underlying collagen structure. As your body attempts to repair this damage, it produces new collagen fibers—but this repair process doesn’t always restore the skin to its original smooth state.
Different types of acne scars result from this imperfect healing process. Atrophic scars, the most common type, create depressions in the skin where collagen loss has occurred. These include ice pick scars (deep, narrow pits), boxcar scars (wider depressions with defined edges), and rolling scars (wave-like undulations across the skin’s surface). Hypertrophic scars, on the other hand, form when the body produces too much collagen, creating raised, thickened areas.
Beyond the textural changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation often accompanies acne scarring, leaving dark spots that can persist for months or years. This combination of texture irregularities and discoloration makes acne scarring particularly challenging to treat—and why advanced technology like UltraClear makes such a significant difference.
Why Traditional Laser Treatments Fall Short
Older laser technologies, while sometimes effective, came with considerable drawbacks that made many patients hesitant to pursue treatment. Traditional ablative lasers generated significant heat, which increased the risk of burns, hyperpigmentation, and prolonged healing times. These “hot” lasers often weren’t safe for medium to darker skin tones, limiting treatment options for a substantial portion of patients dealing with acne scarring.
Non-ablative lasers offered a gentler approach but frequently required numerous sessions to achieve noticeable results, and the improvements were often less dramatic than what patients hoped for. The trade-off between safety and effectiveness left a gap in acne scar treatment—a gap that cold fiber laser technology was specifically designed to fill.
The UltraClear Difference for Acne Scarring
UltraClear’s innovative 3DIntelliPulse® technology addresses acne scars through a dual-action approach that sets it apart from previous laser systems. The cold fiber laser component gently ablates the damaged surface layers where hyperpigmentation and texture irregularities reside, while simultaneously delivering controlled thermal energy to the deeper dermal layers where collagen remodeling needs to occur.
This precise balance is what makes UltraClear particularly effective for acne scarring. The treatment removes the damaged outer skin that displays discoloration and roughness, while the controlled heating stimulates fibroblasts—the cells responsible for producing new collagen and elastin. This new collagen gradually fills in depressed scars and improves overall skin architecture over the following months.
Key Advantages for Acne Scar Treatment:
- Targets Multiple Scar Types: UltraClear addresses atrophic scars, textural irregularities, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in a single treatment approach, eliminating the need for multiple different procedures.
- Safe for All Skin Tones: The cold fiber technology minimizes thermal damage, making it appropriate for Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI—a crucial advancement for patients who were previously told laser treatment wasn’t safe for their complexion.
- Customizable Depth: Dr. Eftekhari can adjust the treatment intensity based on your specific scarring severity, from light surface treatments to deeper resurfacing for more pronounced scarring.
- Progressive Improvement: While you’ll notice initial results as the treated skin heals and reveals fresh tissue, collagen production continues for up to 12 months, meaning your skin keeps improving long after your treatment session.
What to Expect During Treatment
Understanding the treatment process helps patients feel confident and prepared. During your consultation at the Eyelid Center of Utah, Dr. Eftekhari will evaluate your acne scarring, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine the appropriate treatment depth for your specific needs.
On treatment day, the targeted areas are thoroughly cleansed, and a topical numbing agent is typically applied to maximize comfort. Most patients describe the sensation during treatment as a mild warmth rather than pain—significantly more comfortable than older laser technologies. A full-face treatment typically takes 30 minutes or less, making it convenient even for busy schedules.
The UltraClear system delivers its precisely controlled energy in short pulses, methodically treating the scarred areas. You might notice a slight warming sensation and occasionally smell a subtle odor as the laser interacts with skin cells, but the overall experience is well-tolerated by most patients.
Recovery and Results Timeline
One of UltraClear’s most appealing features for acne scar treatment is the relatively quick recovery compared to traditional ablative lasers. The extent of your downtime depends on the treatment depth selected for your scarring severity.
For lighter treatments targeting early scarring or primarily surface discoloration, expect about two to four days of mild redness and light peeling—similar to a sunburn. Many patients manage this with minimal disruption to their routine. Deeper resurfacing sessions for more severe scarring may require five to seven days of recovery, during which the treated skin will appear red and may develop a thin, protective layer that naturally sloughs off.
During the healing phase, your skin is working hard. The damaged, scarred tissue is being replaced with fresh, healthy cells. It’s crucial to follow post-treatment care instructions carefully, including keeping the skin moisturized, avoiding sun exposure, and using recommended healing ointments.
Results Progression:
- Week 1-2: As the initial healing completes, you’ll notice smoother texture and more even tone where the damaged surface layer has been replaced.
- Month 1-3: Collagen production ramps up during this phase, and you’ll see gradual filling of depressed scars and continued texture improvement.
- Month 3-12: Collagen remodeling continues, with ongoing improvements in skin firmness, scar depth reduction, and overall complexion quality.
Many patients with moderate acne scarring achieve their desired results with a single treatment, though those with more severe or extensive scarring may benefit from a series of sessions spaced several months apart to allow for complete healing and collagen development between treatments.
Beyond Acne Scars: Comprehensive Skin Benefits
While acne scars may be your primary concern, UltraClear’s effects extend to overall skin quality. The collagen stimulation that helps fill scars also reduces fine lines, improves skin firmness, and enhances elasticity. The surface ablation that removes hyperpigmentation also addresses sun damage, age spots, and uneven skin tone.
This comprehensive rejuvenation means you’re not just treating isolated scarring—you’re investing in healthier, more youthful-looking skin overall. The natural healing response triggered by UltraClear continues working for months, delivering progressive improvements that look natural rather than artificially treated.
Experience Advanced Acne Scar Treatment in Draper
Living with acne scars doesn’t have to be your reality. UltraClear cold fiber laser technology offers a safe, effective solution that works for all skin types and delivers lasting results without the risks and extended downtime of older laser systems.
At the Eyelid Center of Utah, Dr. Kian Eftekhari combines his expertise in oculofacial aesthetics with cutting-edge technology like UltraClear to provide patients throughout the Salt Lake City and Draper area with exceptional care and natural-looking outcomes. His patient-centered approach ensures your treatment plan is customized to your unique needs and aesthetic goals.
Ready to move past your acne scars? Schedule a consultation at the Eyelid Center of Utah in Draper today and discover how UltraClear can help you achieve the smooth, clear complexion you’ve been hoping for.
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