Laser Acne Treatment
Laser treatment for acne was mostly relegated to treating acne scars. However, there is new hope that lasers can also be used to treat active acne pustules in treatment using non-ablative laser treatments. These treatments were generally used to even out skin pigmentation and did not damage the skin’s surface layer, like the acne scar laser treatments; instead it uses light to stimulate collagen growth. The laser pulse works beneath the surface of the skin without producing injury to the outer layers.
Types of Lasers Chosen For Acne
There are many different types of lasers that can be used to treat acne. Copper vapor lasers, pulse dye lasers, and orange/red light lasers are a few that have been used to treat acne. These work by exposing the bacterium to light frequencies that trigger a production of a toxin that kills them.
Other types of laser work by creating a thermal injury to the sebaceous glands. These are InfraRed lasers known by such names as CoolTouch and SmoothBeam. The heat injury is underneath the skin and does not break the surface of the skin, leaving the patient with little visible effects of the treatment and not risking further infection.
Repeated Treatments
The patient will have to be treated several times before the acne subsides. There are very few studies to prove the effectiveness of laser therapy on active acne, though empirical evidence is mounting. If you want to get these treatments, be sure you go to someone who has experience with multiple patients and might foresee any problems with your skin type.
For lasers that remove the top layer of the skin, people with darker skin tone are warned of the risk of skin lightening or darkening in the treated areas. The ablative lasers do not damage the top layers of the skin, so they may not have as a great a risk for people of darker skin tone. Be sure to check with your skin care professional about this issue if you are concerned about the effects of the treatment.
Acne Scarring Laser Treatments
Unlike ablative laser treatments, laser treatments for scarring are done after the acne condition has subsided and the face has no recent outbreaks. The laser is used to remove the top layers of the skin and can cause a burning or itching sensation. It requires multiple treatments and can leave the face red for some time. The skin underneath is exposed which should be smoother and have a more even skin tone too. Most people feel only a mild stinging sensation when the procedure is being done, but you should make let your doctor know if the procedure is more painful.
Laser treatments for acne scarring are very well accepted in the dermatological field. It is a proven technique not only to remove acne scarring but also to reduce visible signs of aging on the face. It does produce a controlled skin injury and for that reason, it cannot be done with active pustules. However, it still remains a very viable method to reduce the aftereffects of acne scarring once the damage is done.
