Acne Laser Treatment / Light Therapy

Most people in their lifetime are affected by acne at some time. An overproduction of oil and cells usually occurs during puberty, for women before a menstrual cycle and during menopause. Depending on the severity of the acne, the reaction to the medicine prescribed and the progress made in the treating of the symptoms, you may want to consider Light Therapy or Acne Laser Treatment. Some of the treatments you may want to discuss with a dermatologist and investigate are Light Therapy, Laser Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Laser Therapy and Chemical Peels.

Light Therapy - FDA has approved blue-light therapy for treating acne. Blue-light therapy is widely advertised and is probably the best-known of the light therapy for acne. It works by killing the acne-causing bacteria, and is used to treat inflammatory acne that will not respond to other acne therapies. The blue-light products of today do not contain ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can damage skin and is no longer used. Blue-light therapy is usually prescribed in eight sessions and given over a four-week period. Each session can last about 15 minutes. Side effects can be mild and include short term pigment changes, swelling of treated areas, and dryness.

Pulsed Light Therapy - FDA approved for acne treatment, it combines pulses of green-yellow light and heat to treat mild to moderate acne, including inflammatory acne. The pulsed light and heat energy destroys acne and shrinks sebaceous glands, decreasing oil production. One of the main attractions of Pulsed Light Therapy is that these acne treatments cause little or no downtime and few side effects.

Diode Laser - Diode Lasers are designed to reach the sebaceous glands in the dermis, concentrating on this thick middle layer of skin, without harming the outer layer of skin. A study was performed on acne patients who were treated up to five times within a two week period. The patients acne lesions were reduced by 63%. Side effects of diode laser treatment include temporary redness and swelling of the treated areas.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) - This procedure is done with the combination of a drug that is activated by light called the photosensitizer. During this acne treatment, the hyperactive sebaceous glands are targeted. The photosensitizer is applied to the skin and is left on for a variable period of time. The skin is exposed to the light source laser light and the photosensitizer is then removed. This kills P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne. Side effects include pain during the procedure and discoloration afterwards.

Microdermabrasion - With this treatment, your practitioner presses a hand held device against your skin, blowing crystals to remove oils, breaking up dead skin and other imperfections. It's like you're polishing your skin and encouraging new skin growth. There are many materials that may be used, including aluminum oxide crystals, sodium bicarbonate crystals, diamond-tipped crystals, or salt crystals. Usually used with prescribed acne creams and gels for better penetration of the medication and increase the effectiveness.

Chemical Peel - Chemical peels have been used for a long time. Studies have shown that twice a week chemical peel treatments for 12 weeks can significantly improve acne. Under a doctor's supervision a chemical peel of Glycolic acid or salicylic acid is applied to your skin to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, remove whiteheads and blackheads, and generate new skin growth. Chemical peel are often used with prescribed acne creams and gels for better penetration of the medication. Side effects range from temporary redness, blisters, and crusting to scarring, infection and abnormal skin coloring.

Acne laser treatment and light therapy are more options for patients to consider in acne treatment. Each case of acne treatment is evaluated differently depending on the severity of what treatments have been used in the past and the success and failures of each one. By consulting with your doctor or dermatologist about acne laser treatment you will be able to incorporate the best plan of attack. The Acne Treatment site www.bestacnehelp.blogspot.com and www.AcneDevices.blogspot.com to help keep you up to date on news and treatment ideas.