Two Approaches To Laser Acne Treatment

Laser acne treatment is a relatively recent development in the skin treatment field and may be the best option for chronic acne sufferers who are concerned about the potentially serious side effects of the drugs and medications currently available.

There are basically 2 approaches to laser acne treatment, with each focusing on a specific factor that contributes to the cause of acne. The first focuses on restricting bacterial growth; the second focuses on shrinking the sebaceous (oil producing) glands.

Most laser acne treatments last about 30 minutes to one hour. For some patients, one treatment is sufficient. For others, a series of treatments spread out over several months might be necessary. This is usually the case with those suffering from more severe acne.

Smooth Beam Laser Acne Treatment

The FDA approved the use of the smooth beam laser in 2002. Since then it is widely recognized as the most effective treatment for severe and chronic cases of acne.

In a typical laser acne treatment, a topical anesthetic cream is first applied to the patient, since the portions of the skin prone to acne are very sensitive. This first step helps to eliminate most of the discomfort that you will feel during and right after the treatment procedure.

This is followed by applying a smooth low level laser beam to the portions of the face where severe acne is found. This actually heats the sebaceous glands (the oil producing glands) that clog the pores which causes acne breakouts. The heat effectively shrinks the glands and slows the glands form secreting excessive oil, eventually eliminating most of the cause of acne. The laser also kills the bacteria and other components that cause acne. Though most patients will need more than one treatment for optimal results, it is not at all uncommon to see improvements and good results after just the first session.

Laser Acne Treatment - Consult Your Doctor First

Acne is one skin disease that most adolescents, and even some adults, experience great difficulty in finding an effective treatment for. Although many acne treatments and medications are available, there are those who just cannot find the proper treatment for their chronic and/or severe acne. One fairly recent breakthrough offering hope to many is laser acne treatment. Growing in popularity, many people are convinced that laser acne treatment offers far better chances for a favorable result than traditional acne medications.

If you think this might be a suitable treatment option for your acne condition, it is best to consult a laser surgeon and dermatologist before getting any treatment. This way, you will be provided with the right service suited for you. Before settling on a surgeon it is also a good idea to look into his background and experience, and even ask for before and after pictures of his previous patients.

What Is Laser Acne Treatment?

Laser acne treatment is also popularly known as laser resurfacing. In this procedure a laser pen is used and the concentrated light-beam is moved back and forth above the acne, vaporizing the unwanted tissue and creating a new skin surface. Laser acne treatments are generally painless and safe, though they are invasive - removing skin layers by erosion, melting, evaporation, and/or vaporization. For people with darker skin colors, laser acne treatment is typically not suitable, although some say that if an expert surgeon can be found, people with darker skin colors can also benefit from laser acne treatment.

Should I Consider Laser Acne Treatment?

Laser acne treatment is one possible solution that an acne sufferer should properly and realistically explore. It is a new way of curing acne in which unwanted tissues are removed from the skin with the help of a laser pen and concentrated light-beam that is moved all over acne affected areas. Performed in a doctor’s office, and used to treat both active acne and acne scarring, laser acne treatment is rapidly gaining popularity particularly among acne patients with scars that are the result of severe acne. While it is a safe and proven way to get rid of and treat acne, the effectiveness of laser acne treatment must be evaluated on a case by case basis. However, most patients are very satisfied with the results.