Does Laser Acne Treatment Really Work?
Does It Work?
The short answer to whether or not laser treatment for acne works is yes. While the overall results will vary from patient to patient, most people see a significant reduction in their acne and acne scars following treatment. However, you may need several treatments to achieve maximum results. For instance, in one study, patients saw a 50% reduction after four weeks of treatment and a 72% reduction after 12 weeks of treatment.
Long-Lasting Results
Laser skin treatments have an excellent reputation for delivering long-lasting results, and this is also the case for acne treatment with lasers. While some people may need to have follow-up treatments once or twice a year, many others never need another treatment after they have achieved the results they desired. Most people who receive permanent results from laser treatments continue to practice a good skin care routine following the completion of their sessions.
How Lasers Work for Acne
What Is Laser Treatment for Acne?
There are two main ways in which lasers are used to treat acne. The first is designed to treat current acne breakouts and involves aiming variable amounts of intense light to the areas affected with acne to kill the acne-causing bacteria. This treatment also causes the blood vessels in the area to restrict and thereby reduce the inflammation around each eruption. Additionally, this treatment will shrink the sebaceous glands in your skin and cause them to produce less oil.
The other way that lasers are used in relation to acne is to treat acne scars that are left behind from severe acne outbreaks. In this case, the laser penetrates the dermis of your skin and reshapes and fills the scars from the inside out. Additionally, the laser’s heat stimulates the production of collagen, which is the body’s natural substance for healing the skin. Overtime, the collagen reaches the surface of your skin and works to fade the scars.
Areas for Treatment
Most people are concerned about the acne on their face, so the majority of laser treatments for acne are performed on the face, especially the forehead, cheeks, and chin. However, the treatments are safe for any part of the body and for both genders. Men in particular may want to have the acne on their back treated so they can feel more confident when going without a shirt at the pool or beach.
Other areas that our patients want treated with a laser for acne include the torso, shoulders, arms, and neck. Since all acne is caused by the same bacteria, the laser will work on all skin that has acne or acne scars. While there are numerous causes of acne, including hormones, stress, makeup, diet, and genetics, your acne does not have to be the result of any specific cause to be treated effectively by laser.
What To Expect
Consultation
Prior to any sort of laser acne treatment, you will have a consultation with your provider to ensure you are a good candidate. Your provider will examine your skin, get a medical history from you, and talk to you about your expectations from the treatment. They will then determine if you are a good candidate for the treatment. Most people will be deemed good candidates, but there may be some who aren’t for a variety of reasons.
If you are a candidate for treatment, your provider will prepare a treatment plan for you that will cover the number of expected treatments, the cost, and any other information you need to know about the treatment. You will be told to refrain from taking asprin or blood-thinning agents and to stop smoking for 14 days prior to your treatment. Additionally, you will not be able to use retinol skin care products for two weeks prior as well.
On the Day of Treatment
When you arrive for your treatment session, you will be seated in a comfortable reclining chair that will allow your provider to access the treatment area. Your provider will then focus the laser on the treatment area as outlined in your individual treatment plan. The treatments take only minutes to complete per treatment area, but your time in the chair will depend on how much acne or how many areas you need treated.
Following treatment, you will need to avoid the sun as much as possible, and always use sunscreen whenever you have to be outside. There will be no limits placed on your daily activities and you can return to school or work right away. You will likely see some improvement in your skin immediately, but the full effects will continue to develop over the next week to ten days.
Ready To Try Laser Treatment for Acne?
As you can see, laser treatment for acne can be an excellent solution to help make your acne scars less noticeable and to destroy the bacteria that keeps causing your acne breakouts. If you’re ready to see if laser acne treatment is right for you, we’re ready to schedule your consultation. Call or email our expert technicians at New England Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center in Weymouth, MA and we’ll take care of you.