Acne Light Therapy

Acne light therapy is a proven effective way to prevent scarring from chronic cases of acne as well as healing the outbreak.  Since acne is the most commonly diagnosed skin disorder in the United States, researchers are always looking for new and innovative ways to treat it.  Patients are often frustrated when it comes to treating acne and the scarring it leaves.  Over-the-counter medications and herbal cures are ineffective in some acute cases of acne. 

In the last, few years’ big strides have been made in treating acne scars.  Nonabrasive laser surgery for acne scars has been used in treating bad cases of acne.  Once the first outbreak has cleared up, the scars that remain are a constant reminder of the acne outbreak.  After just a couple of laser treatments, the scars that remain from acne episodes can be successfully treated.  Mostly the effectiveness comes from new collagen is promoted under the scars to reduce their effect. 

The treatments range from five minutes to twenty minutes and there is little or only a slight discomfort during the treatment.  Three to five minute acne therapies are given at monthly intervals seem to be the ones that create the best results.  There is as marked decrease in scarring and lesions after just a few treatments.  Side effects are few and usually mild redness and swelling for a short time and will not interfere with the patient’s daily activities. 

Laser light therapy is not that old. New studies are still being made about which lasers are best suited for live acne and for acne scars.  It was first used to improve the skins production of collagen to fight fine lines and wrinkles.  As the technology advanced, it proved to be helpful in reducing the scar tissue from severe outbreaks of acne.  In further testing, they found that live, active acne was also being helped by the light therapy. 

There are different colors of acne light therapy; one of the most common uses a high intensity blue light.  Pulses of light kill the bacteria causing the acne on the skin but do not damage the skin as the ultraviolet rays can.  The laser heat also damages the oil glands and prevents them from secreting the oil that plugs the pores and cause acne.  It promotes the renewal of new skin, which helps to ease the impact of scarring from acne outbreaks. 

These laser light therapy treatments are considered safe, but when seeking treatment, be sure the one treating you is accredited and adept at working with the laser.

Minor outbreaks of acne can be treated with short treatments that usually only need to be repeated monthly.  More intense cases will need lengthier sessions and they will need to be given more often. 

Laser treatment is a fairly new innovation but are becoming increasingly common, especially for teenagers who have not responded favorably to topical treatments or oral medications.  For adults, acne light therapy is being used more and more as the first line of defense.

Many patients are thrilled with the way laser light therapy has worked for them.  They have tried pills, creams, and natural cures and none have worked.  Covering with a thick layer of make up is also not the answer to severe outbreaks of acne and sometimes will just worsen the problem.  One particular patient who was treated with short five-minute treatments began to see results immediately.  With each treatment, her spots and lesions became fewer and fewer.  On some days, she has no spots at all, or they are small.  The laser light therapy has given her more confidence and boosted her self-esteem.

If you have a teenager or loved one who has been affected by acne and acne scars, it will be worthwhile to look for a trained professional to see if laser light therapy can work for them.