Laser Treatments for Acne & Acne Scars
By Dr. Corey Hartman
Everybody knows its name and what it means for the condition of their skin. Acne can be a recurring, difficult to treat, painful condition that can affect our confidence as powerfully as it affects our comfort and complexion.
The battle against acne is ever ongoing. Creams, extreme treatments, oral medication, and intense topical therapies abound for handling both outbreaks and the scars they leave behind. For some acne sufferers, however, relief can sometimes seem like a distant dream.
But there is, thankfully, one technological advancement making waves in the world of acne and acne scar treatment: lasers. Already widely trusted for a host of applications from hair removal to scar reduction, hyperpigmentation to tattoo removal, lasers are expanding their repertoire by the day. Now, lasers are being used to effectively treat acne’s effects in young and late-onset sufferers alike.
What can you expect from laser treatment for acne?
Laser treatments involve directing a particular beam of light directly at the acne blemishes to encourage the healing process. Depending on the blemishes themselves (nodules, cysts, whiteheads, blackheads) different wavelengths of light are combined with other light procedures or special instruments to simultaneously clean and promote better healing.
Laser acne treatments have numerous benefits, including:
- Skin exfoliation
- Faster healing
- Reduced scar presence
- Shorter painful outbreaks
- Smoother complexion
- Promotes new cell growth
- Improves confidence
Depending on the size of the treatment area, the severity of your acne outbreaks, and the natural tone of your skin, you may need several treatments to enjoy the best results. Overall, the process is quick, effective, and produces reliable results.
Patients may experience some redness and swelling at the targeted site along with some minor discomfort throughout the procedure. This discomfort, however, prevents longer, more painful outbreaks by cutting them short and healing the skin.
Different lasers to treat acne
There are a number of different lasers that are used to treat acne. This includes red, blue, and blue + red light devices, which are known as visible light devices. These lasers tend to be used primarily to treat pimples. They are not effective against nodules, acne cysts, whiteheads, or blackheads. During your consultation, your dermatologist will determine what waveband and type of laser will work best for you.
Photopneumatic therapy is another type of light treatment used in the war against acne. Photopneumatic therapy combines a gentle vacuum with an intense pulsed light (IPL) laser. These two FDA-approved treatments work together to remove dead skin cells and excess oils from clogged pores. Photopneumatic therapy has been proven effective for treating whiteheads, blackheads, and some pimples. It can also treat stubborn cysts or nodules.
Another popular type of laser treatment is infrared light therapy. This treatment has been approved by the FDA to treat pimples, including those that develop on your back. This approach, however, cannot be used for nodules, acne cysts, whiteheads, or blackheads.
Finally, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is another option. When applied to acne-prone skin, the laser makes the skin more sensitive to light. After this, the dermatologist will use a light device or laser to treat the skin. This treatment has proven to be particularly beneficial amongst those who suffer from severe cases of acne.
Contact us today for more information on laser treatment for acne and acne scars
If you or someone you love needs a boost in their battle against acne and acne scars, consider speaking to the experienced dermatologists at Skin Wellness to schedule a laser treatment consultation today. Our friendly and experienced team remains at the ready to help you make significant advancements in your fight against painful, demoralizing, and scarring acne outbreaks.
Learn more about laser acne treatments today!
Laser technology is rapidly becoming the go-to for treating skin conditions and scarring of all kinds. Long trusted for its efficacy in treating wrinkles, blemishes, unsightly veins, stretch marks, unwanted tattoos, and excessive hair growth, laser technology is now leading the fight against acne. Visit Skin Wellness Dermatology of Alabama online, or call us today at 205-871-7332 to take one large step in the right direction.