Laser treatment as an option for acne and scar removal

Laser treatment is one of the more expensive options for acne, with some procedures costing in excess of £200 per session. Lasers can help to treat acne lesions by inhibiting the growth of bacteria or shrinking the sebaceous oil glands. They can also help to improve the appearance of acne scars with laser resurfacing techniques.

Laser stands for light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers work by generating a concentrated beam of light that travels in one direction. This laser beam is capable of cutting, sealing or vaporizing the skin tissue and blood vessels. Laser acne treatment isn’t an instant cure for acne and it won’t get rid of your acne scars completely but it can significantly improve the appearance of the skin.

There are two main types of lasers that are used in acne scar therapy. They are resurfacing lasers (ablative) and non-ablative lasers. Ablative lasers heat and remove the top skin tissue, basically burning away the scar tissue. They also stimulate the dermal collagen to tighten which helps to reduce the visibility of a scar.

The most common lasers used in resurfacing are the ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser, erbrium YAG laser and the pulsed dye yellow light laser. The yellow light laser is also helpful in treating keloidal scars, flattening and preventing redness as well alleviating the itch of a raised scar. However, the skin is injured during laser resurfacing, so extra care is needed with wound care to prevent infection. The skin may also remain red for several months after treatment. A series of treatments is usually required and you won’t see the final result until about 18 months after the last laser resurfacing treatment.

Non-ablative lasers are non-wounding lasers that trigger changes within the dermis without injuring the epidermis. This laser acne treatment is something that can be done in your lunchtime as there are few side effects and recovery is very speedy.

Smoothbeam is an FDA approved ablative laser which treats acne by heating the sebaceous gland which then helps to reduce sebum production. Clearlight is another FDA approved light device for treating acne which works by activating molecules called porphyrins that are produced by acne bacteria. Stimulating the porphyrins helps to eliminate the bacterium which then reduces acne formation.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Laser Treatment

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