There are a multitude of treatments you can research or try when it comes to caring for your acne, and among them is acne laser treatment. This can be used for a less severe case of blemish breakouts, as well as for resurfacing or treating acne scars. Those who suffer whiteheads, blackheads, cysts or nodules may not be good candidates for this type of treatment. The best thing to do is discuss with your doctor whether your skin condition qualifies you for acne laser treatment or not.
How Acne Laser Treatment Works
The purpose of laser or light-based treatments for acne is to reach deeper layers of skin without causing harm to the surface layer. With this type of treatment, the focus is to kill off the bacteria within the pores causing the blemishes to form. The laser, once applied to the skin’s surface, causes this to happen. A compound within the bacteria itself, called pophyrins, are agitated to the point of damaging the wall of the bacteria. This, as a result, kills off the bacteria. With less bacteria, acne is less likely to form and the current blemishes diminish.
Other types of light or laser treatments for acne can also focus on damaging the sebaceous glands, which produce oil. This causes them to produce less oil. Often, to ensure the process works, doctors will use a substance, ALA, on the surface of the skin to help the laser work more effectively in killing off the bacteria.
This procedure happens in a doctor’s office. In most cases, more than one treatment is advised. The average number of treatments scheduled for a patient struggling with acne is three. There are various types of lasers used for acne laser treatment, as well as new ones being designed. The common ones you may be treated with include diode, pulsed light and heat energy or Blue light therapy, just to name a few.
Different Types of Laser Treatments
- Diode laser therapy works to destroy the oil gland. This may be painful for some patients, and, generally, analgesics are applied to the skin before treatment.
- The pulsed light and heat energy approach works to eliminate present acne and reduce the amount of oil secreted by reducing the size of the sebaceous gland.
- Blue light therapy is the process of subjecting the skin to a low-level source of light that destroys acne without causing pain. However, this generally requires multiple sessions to help keep blemishes reduced.
- There is also photodynamic therapy, which combines both topical gels and exposure to light for best results. A topical photosensitizing agent is applied and then one of the various lasers or lights is used.
- Photopneumatic therapy is unique because it uses a vacuum type device to pull away oils and dead skin cells from blocking the oil gland. Red and blue light is used, afterward as the final step of this treatment.
Who Is Acne Laser Treatment for?
If you have blemishes that are pimples and not severe forms of acne, you may be a good candidate for this type of treatment. Much of it depends on the sensitivity level of your skin. Age and gender do not seem to play a role in determining who may be able to get laser treatment. Patients with health issues, sensitivity to light or women who are pregnant should make their doctor aware of these conditions before opting to go through with light or laser treatments.
Side Effects
The side effects of using layers to eliminate acne vary based on the type of laser.
- For the diode laser, the common side effects are temporary redness and swelling. Redness is the main reported side effect for the pulsed light and heat energy method.
- For the blue light therapy, the main effects are a possibility of dryness and redness in the areas that were exposed to the light.
- For photodynamic therapy, you may notice swelling, redness, flaking or breakouts following the treatment. The same type of side effects could result for photopneumatic therapy, as well.
If you are concerned about side effects, talk to your doctor to find out how likely they are or how severe the effects may be.