Laser and light acne treatments

Laser and light acne treatments are one of the effective methods used to treat acne when conventional control methods are not effective. Acne is a skin condition caused by bacteria. It affects many people at different age group especially teenager. There are a number of treatment options available in the market. Heat therapy is one of the many  used for the treatment of acne. It combined with light, attacks acne from the deeper layer of skin.

How does heat/light therapy works?

Unlike lotion and ointments, heat therapy works and attack acne from the deeper layers of skin, in this process, light is pulsed into the skin with heat. The formation of this heat inside destroy the bacteria that causes acne. The combination of heat and light shrinks the oil glands of the skin which in turn the amount of oil secreted. 

Although heat therapy is relatively new techniques, it was designed with an assumption of removing acne without causing scarring by going deep into the skin. In addition, there is no research associated with the pros and cons of using this technology.

Side effects of laser and light therapy

As any other treatment methods, heat therapy has also some drawbacks. There are various levels of pain on patients using this technology. Dermatologists use different mechanisms to deal with the pain such as use of anesthetic when needed. Some patients may experience soreness, redness and rarely peeling. If peeling occur, it probably cause discoloration of skin. On top of this patients also reports loss of hair due to heat treatment.

Precaution

If you consider heat treatment as an option for your acne removal, you have to prepare in advance. Since sun exposure and tanning interfere with the pulse light therapy,

• Avoid direct sun exposure before and immediately after your dermatologist appointment.
• Avoid tanning

What is photodynamic therapy and how does it works?

Photodynamic therapy is another forms of technology used for the treatment of acne. It employs light and some photosensitizing agent such as  5-aminolevulinic acid together.

In this process, in order to make the affected skin more susceptible to light treatment, photosensitizing agent is applied to the skin. Then, immediately after the photosensitizing agent removed, light therapy is administered. 

This treatment reduces the production of oil from skin oil gland thereby reduces  blackheads and whiteheads. It  also kills acne causing bacteria  and control the peeling of dead skin cells within the follicle. This method is best for those patients with moderate to severe acne that does not respond well to other treatment options. It can also be used for the treatment of acne scarring.

What is laser therapy and how does it works?

Laser is a piece of equipment that releases light through optical amplification process. The term laser derived from the short form of "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". It has a variety of important functions especially in medicine.

The main purpose of using laser therapy for the treatment of acne is to prevent mild to moderate acne that appears to be less effective with other treatment options.

Laser and light therapy works on the bases of porphyrins, which is an electrifying compounds that lives inside a bacteria that causes acne. As soon as the laser release an electrifying compounds, it damages the bacteria wall and killing them.

Most of the time dermatologists recommend three treatments or more a month apart based on severity of infection.  It is estimated that the cost of laser therapy per section is from $250 - $500.

kinds of Laser therapy for acne

• Glass
• Isolaz.
• Pulsed Dye
• Nd:YAG
• Fractional
• Diode
• InfraRed
• KTP
• Potassium Titanyl Phosphate
• IPL
• Pulsed Light and Heat Energy (LHE)

Tags

acne treatments, combination therapy, blackheads, whiteheads, mild acne, moderate acne