subject: Curing Acne With An Effective Acne Laser Treatment [print this page] With the advancement in laser technology in recent years, more and more acne sufferers are exploring the options available to treat their blemishes and acne scarring using an acne laser treatment. Unlike previous methods that included prescription creams and potentially dangerous drugs, laser treatments for acne appear to offer relief with little risk of side effects. The newest laser treatment currently being studied for treatment of acne is known as pulsed dye laser therapy. This therapy has been shown effective and is approved for treatment of acne scarring, but testing is still being done on its effectiveness against active inflammatory acne vulgaris. It is not yet approved for the removal of acne blemishes.
Recent studies suggest that this pulsed dye laser therapy can actually improve acne conditions on afflicted skin. This method, also known as photodynamic therapy, has shown positive results and is currently being used for treatment of acne scarring, but more research needs to be done on its effectiveness against inflammatory acne vulgaris before it will receive federal approval.
One current method of laser treatment, known as the ER:YAG laser, is reserved for use on mild acne scarring. This process focuses on building new collagen in the lower layers of the skin to fill in pitted areas left by acne and cystic acne. This procedure is different from the treatments currently being studied which would address the issue of acne itself, rather than the removal of scars. Laser acne scar treatment, such as the commonly used V-Beam (Pulsed Dyed Laser) treatment, is still the only effective means of removing scars left by acne. It has been shown effective in the removal of red acne scars, as well as in the treatment of stretch marks and thickened scar tissue or keloids. It is safe and effective for teenagers and adults.
For patients who suffer from deep holes and pitting of the skin as a result of cystic acne, the commonly used acne is known as laser resurfacing. As the name suggests, the laser is used to remove the damaged layers of the skin and promote a new skin surface layer by layer. While the resurfacing process can sometimes leave the outer surface of the skin uneven, the results are usually noticeably favorable, and when used in combination with additional skin care maintenance regimens, patients often see a dramatic improvement in the look of their skin. Compared to other noninvasive techniques, such as creams and lotions available on the market today, laser treatment consistently delivers superior, permanent results.
Despite the fact that Pulsed Dyed Laser therapy is not yet approved for the treatment of acne, there is an effective treatment used specifically for acne blemishes. The most popular methods among those used today are carbon dioxide lasers or nonablative lasers. While they are effective and relatively painless procedures that directly treat acne blemishes, they are not completely risk free. Patients often see an increase in pigmentation in the skin as a result of these laser treatments. When weighed in the balance with the effects of acne and the physical and psychological damage it can cause, however, most patients agree that some hyper-pigmentation is worth the risk.
