Scars
Acne-scar texture
May improve some shallow or mixed textural scars. Deep ice-pick or tethered scars can need additional techniques.
Explore acne scars →Laser & light treatments
iPixel Laser Resurfacingin Colchester
Fractional Er:YAG resurfacing for selected acne scars, uneven texture and fine lines, with a planned visible healing period.
Book a consultationThe treatment
What is iPixel?
iPixel is a fractional Er:YAG laser applicator on the Harmony XL PRO platform. It treats tiny columns of skin while leaving surrounding skin to support healing.
Unlike a gentler non-ablative laser, it removes microscopic areas of the surface. This can improve selected textural concerns, but it needs careful preparation, aftercare and time for the skin to recover.
In brief
What to expect
The skin is prepared and eye protection is used. Numbing is commonly discussed. Treatment intensity determines comfort, number of sessions and downtime.
Personalised assessment: We review your medical history, skin, treatment area and any reasons to defer treatment.
Best suited toScars, texture, fine lines
ComfortNumbing usually discussed
DowntimeOften three to five days; sometimes up to a week
CourseIndividualised course
01 / Concerns
What might iPixel improve?
Resurfacing is chosen for texture rather than every type of pigmentation or scar.
Texture
Fine lines & rough skin
Can be considered when surface texture and fine lines are the main concern and downtime is acceptable.
Explore skin quality →Tone
Selected sun damage
A diagnosis is needed before treating a pigmented area; suspicious lesions are not simply resurfaced.
Areas
Face, neck or body
Area and treatment strength are chosen after assessing healing and pigmentation risk.
02 / Your plan
Plan the intensity and recovery
The goal, skin type and available downtime guide the settings and number of sessions.
Course
How many sessions?
A course of around three to five sessions is commonly discussed for texture or scarring, spaced to allow healing. A stronger treatment may need fewer visits but more downtime. Your plan is set after assessment.
Results
When do results develop?
The surface heals first. Texture changes are assessed over the following weeks and months; scars may need more than one modality.
03 / Treatment & recovery
What happens at an appointment?
Resurfacing has a visible healing phase and requires careful sun protection.
Comfort
During treatment
Numbing and comfort measures are discussed. You may feel heat and prickling.
Recovery
First few days
Redness, warmth, swelling, a rough or bronzed appearance and peeling can occur. Do not pick or scrub healing skin.
Planning
Time off
Allow around three to five days for visible healing; stronger settings or sensitive skin may take a week or longer to settle. Pinkness may last beyond this.
Safety
Risk assessment
We review pigment-change risk, active infection, cold sores, recent sun exposure and medicines before treatment.
Helpful answers
iPixel Laser Resurfacing FAQs
How does iPixel differ from a gentle laser facial?
iPixel is a fractional ablative Er:YAG laser. It creates tiny resurfaced areas in the skin, so it can address more established texture concerns but involves visible healing. A non-ablative treatment such as ClearLift leaves the surface intact and usually has less downtime.
What concerns can it improve?
It may improve selected acne scars, rough texture, fine lines and sun-damaged skin. We assess each scar or pigmented mark first; deeper scars often need a combination of techniques, and an uncertain lesion needs medical review.
How many sessions will I need?
For texture or acne scarring, a course of around three to five sessions is often considered. The spacing and number depend on treatment strength, area, healing and your response. We will give you a proposed plan before starting.
When will I see a difference?
The skin must heal first. It may look smoother once the initial roughness has settled, while changes in scars and fine lines develop over the following weeks to months. We review the result after healing rather than immediately after treatment.
Is iPixel painful?
It can feel hot or prickly. Numbing and other comfort measures are usually discussed before treatment, and the sensation depends on the area and settings.
What is the downtime?
Allow around three to five days for noticeable redness, a rough or bronzed texture and possible peeling. Stronger settings can mean about a week or longer for the surface to settle, and pinkness may remain after that.
Will my skin peel or crust?
It may feel dry and rough and develop small areas of flaking or crusting as it heals. Do not pick, scrub or exfoliate the area; follow the cleansing and moisturising instructions we provide.
When can I wear makeup or exercise?
Wait until the treated surface has healed enough, according to your personalised aftercare. Makeup on broken skin and heat or heavy sweating too early can irritate the area.
Can darker skin tones be treated?
Possibly, with a careful assessment. Resurfacing can cause darker or lighter marks, particularly in skin prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation. We may recommend preparation, a test area, gentler settings or another treatment.
What should I avoid before treatment?
Tell us about recent sun exposure, tanning, cold sores, prescribed skin products and medicines. We will give you individual instructions on what to pause and when to restart it.
Can iPixel remove scars completely?
It may soften their appearance, but complete removal is unlikely. Different scar shapes respond differently, and we may recommend additional treatments for deeper or tethered scars.
Start with an assessment
Considering laser resurfacing?
We will examine the scar or texture concern, discuss expected benefit and plan the recovery around your schedule.
Book a consultation ↗