With seventeen million Americans suffering from acne, it isn’t surprising that laser acne treatments are becoming more popular. Acne laser treatments are usually reserved for the most severe cases of acne that nothing else has shifted. Acne scar laser treatments can be very effective in killing the bacteria and burning the affected skin to promote new cell growth.
Acne may not be life threatening, but it can be devastating. Ugly red pustules, glaring angrily from an otherwise attractive face, can destroy the self confidence of an otherwise successful individual, particularly if that person is still a teenager.
Most people’s first response to acne is to use over-the-counter topical creams and lotions. Most of the common brands contain benzoyl peroxide which can be very drying to the skin. While these products work for some people, they do not work for everyone and it is common to try one product after another without relief.
This is why laser acne treatments have become popular despite the cost of $2,500 and upwards for a full face treatment. During this procedure, also known as laser resurfacing, a doctor uses a laser pen to wave a concentrated beam of light back and forth over the acne or acne scar. The process vaporizes damaged tissue and creates a new surface for the growth of healthy skin cells. After the acne laser treatment, it is normal to experience bruising and swelling around the treated areas. It is important that you do not apply make up or chemical products on your skin until it is healed, which usually takes seven to ten days.
However, despite its popularity, acne laser treatments come with certain risks and their effectiveness and safety has a lot to do with the experience and qualifications of the practitioner.
Currently, laser acne treatments are not regulated. This means the practitioner or doctor providing the service may have had very little professional training in the technique and in using the various lasers available. Before you commit to an acne scar laser treatment, it is therefore essential for your own safety that you see evidence of the training your doctor has undergone as well as evidence of his experience. The best way to determine experience is to view before and after photographs of patients who have undergone the procedure.
Another risk to using laser acne treatments is that it works most effectively on lighter skin tones. Used on darker skin, acne laser treatments can leave permanently blotchy skin because the laser can change the skin tone of the new skin.
Due to the high costs and obvious risks, acne scar laser treatments should only be chosen after all other options have been investigated and even then, it is wise to get at least two professional opinions regarding acne laser treatments.