Laser Acne Treatments – Are They Right for You?
When you’re suffering from frequent acne breakouts and skin inflammation, over the counter facial products usually aren’t enough to cure the problem. While chemical peels and facials at the spa can provide temporary relief from painful acne blisters and unsightly blemishes, the skin may respond better to laser skin resurfacing that eliminates the problem from deep within the skin’s layers.
If you’re looking for a permanent solution for reducing the symptoms of acne or even eliminating acne scars, laser acne treatments may be the best approach for your skin. Here’s what you need to know about this innovative procedure:
Laser Acne Treatments – What Are the Options?
Most acne sufferers experience a continuous cycle of breakouts and scarring, and this cycle rarely improves over time. The most common triggers of the breakout cycle include hormonal changes, toxins in the environment, and poor diet. Those who naturally have oily skin may experience severe cases of acne breakouts where the skin develops painful nodules, blisters and cysts during each cycle.
Some topical agents can relieve the pain and inflammation associated with acne breakouts, but these treatments often provide only temporary results. After the cycle is over, most people are left with a set of acne scars and dark patches of skin that cannot be treated with topical creams, ointments or face masks alone. Laser acne treatments offer a permanent solution for combating both problems; different types of lasers can either shrink the oil glands to reduce acne breakouts, or help remove scars after a breakout cycle. The Cooltouch laser has shown positive results for shrinking the oil glands and dramatically reducing the effects of the acne breakout cycle, while Fraxel is the most commonly used treatment for acne scar removal.
What to Expect with Laser Acne Treatments
Laser skin resurfacing is a fairly aggressive treatment method for acne and acne scar removal, and most people will need a series of treatments to see results. Lasers stimulate the skin’s deepest layers to encourage healthy collagen growth and increase the rate of cell turnover. Lasers such as Fraxel can reduce the size of pores during treatment which results in less oil coming up through the sebaceous glands, and this can keep skin cells healthier and make the stronger over time. Heating up the oil glands is one of the best methods for treating active acne, according to Dr. Joel Caschette, M.D., a cosmetic physician in Florida (Source: RealSelf.com).
Advancements in laser technologies can also remove blackheads, pimples and reduce the size of cysts. Frequent exposure to the laser is a key to success for acne treatment, and both young and old acne sufferers can benefit from ongoing laser therapy when it is combined with a skincare regiment and healthy lifestyle.
Photo rejuvenation is another option for acne scar removal, a procedure that uses targeted pulsating light over a treatment area to remove skin pigmentation clear up dark patches of skin. This process also stimulates collagen production which naturally makes skin healthy and strong. Over time, this can help clear up acne problems and enhance the complexion for a brighter, more even skin tone and a more youthful appearance.
Whether you need an effective acne scar removal treatment program or just want to get acne breakouts under control, laser acne treatments offer a permanent solution for managing acne and improving your skin.
Learn more about laser skin resurfacing treatments in our information guide, or consult with a cosmetic dermatologist in your area to find out which laser acne treatment will be the best choice for your skin type and skin condition.
Published: 04/25/2008, Last Updated: 04/25/2008
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.
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