Laser Acne Treatments
The Basics of Laser Acne Treatments
Acne is a common problem that presents discomfort and embarrassment to sufferers. In more severe cases, acne can become physically painful, as large cysts and inflammation accompany the breakouts. There are many options for addressing acne symptoms today, and one of the most promising appears to be laser acne treatments. These cosmetic procedures can get to the root of the acne, underneath the skin for effective reduction of current flare-ups and prevention of breakouts in the future. This article will talk about the different types of laser acne treatments and why it is worth considering one of these procedures.
Laser Therapy
Lasers are used for a host of medical procedures today, from performing traditional surgical procedures with smaller incisions and less pain to resurfacing the skin for a younger, fresher appearance. Lasers allow doctors a level of precision that was unavailable with traditional scalpel procedures, and result in less scarring and pain during and after the procedure. Now laser acne treatments are becoming more common, whether it is treating current conditions or minimizing the appearance of acne scarring.
How it Works
There are a number of different types of laser acne treatments and light therapies available currently, and each addresses a slightly different aspect of the underlying cause of the condition. For example, blue light therapy is used to destroy the p. acnes bacteria so the breakouts do not spread. While this type of treatment is technically not a laser therapy, it is similar in the fact that is addresses acne from the source. Currently, studies are being done on a combination of red and blue light to see if it is more effective than using blue light alone.
Laser acne treatments, such as procedures done with the Aramis laser, can effectively address the sebaceous glands under the surface of the skin so that they produce less oil. In some cases, the laser acne treatments destroy the sebaceous glands completely, which will eliminate future acne breakouts as well. The laser procedure can do so without causing any harm to the outer layer of skin in the process. This is a huge benefit to laser acne treatments, since they are very effective without causing undue discomfort or scarring for the patient.
While laser acne treatments show great promise, there are some drawbacks as well. First, the jury is still out on whether there will be long term risks or benefits from laser acne treatments. Laser treatments also require more than one session to achieve desired results; perhaps as many as eight sessions before treatment is complete. Finally, many insurance companies will not cover the cost of laser acne treatments because they are considered cosmetic procedures. The price for laser therapy is high, and usually must come out of the patient's pocket. However, many doctors do offer financing programs to help patients pay for procedures.
Laser acne treatments may provide benefits to many acne sufferers who have not found relief through traditional types of acne treatments. If laser therapy sounds like something you would like to try, contact a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon for more information.