Medical Laser Blog - Fotona Straight Talk for the Physician

Acne Laser Treatment...My Solution for Stubborn Acne

Why use laser for acne treatments?  The Nd:YAG laser has been the way to heat the tissue and sterilized the follicular unit.  In addition it has been shown to reduce sebum production and reduce inflammation.  This is a safe and effective treatment that targets at least three of the known cause/promoter issues in acne.  In addition, the laser is safe and does not show sign of treatment.  A patient may be treated and return to work without any sign of a therapy being done. Often patients will call the next day and tell us that they see a great difference in the acne.  Many report complete resolution within 2 to 7 days.  We find that in a high percentage of patients we see the start of improvement in the acne with in 12 to 48 hours.  If they do not, we will re-treat at 2 weeks.  If no improvement at that time we will look more carefully at the diet and hormone piece. 

Acne Laser Treatment System…Because Acne is More Than Skin Deep.

Acne is a common problem not just of teens but of adults as well.  Acne scars the skin but often leaves lasting emotional scars as well.  Many companies sell laser acne treatment systems that require 8 to 10 treatments with what I would consider marginal results.  In my office we treat acne in a single session with NO down time.  Unlike photodynamic therapy or IPL that leave the acne sufferer red, swollen and in pain, our patients leave our office with no sign of treatment and in just a few hours they see results.

How can this be?   Our acne laser treatment equipment is a Variable Square pulse Nd:YAG laser with flat top optics and a computer controlled scanner.  The inflamed tissue of the acne is a great target for the Nd:YAG energy.  It heats the tissue and sterilizes the follicles and pores.  This results in the clearing of acne bacteria and reduction of the inflammation and edema common in acne.  The result is improved skin in hours to a few days.

There is no perfect treatment for acne and we have our failures with the laser.  In those cases we look at hormonal triggers and food sensitivities.  It is rare that the laser is not helpful.  It is common that it is a great value.  If we do not see results in one or two scans we will look into other confounding factors such as those noted above.  Once those are addressed the laser will generally clear the acne quickly.  See for yourself the life-changing results.