Laser Acne Treatment - The Basics You Need to Know

One of the most modern ways to treat acne these days is with a laser. Laser acne treatment has been the solution to some people whom have tried everything there is to offer in terms of medication with no success. This form of treatment is not only different from regular acne remedies but also offer a solution for acne scar removal. In this article you will learn how a laser can treat acne, the different variations of laser treatment and some of the advantages and disadvantages you should consider before going for the treatment.

The manner in which the laser treats acne and the bacteria in the skin that cause it is quite different from the way medication does it. There are two uses for a laser in the treatment of acne:

1. The treatment of existing acne by means of burning and killing the bacteria that causes acne and by shrinking the sebaceous glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is what makes your skin so oily and can predispose acne.

2. The resurfacing of the skin with the laser. In this process the laser is used to actually vaporise the top layer of scarred skin. When the new skin grows back the scarring would be diminished and appear much smoother.

The advantages of laser acne treatment are that no application or swallowing of medication is needed and that the procedure itself is quite quick - no more than an hour. However, some people might need more than one session to obtain the desired results. Some of the disadvantages are that the recovery time after the procedure can be up to 3 weeks along with the discomfort, redness and swelling in the face as a result of the procedure. Infection also needs to be prevented after the skin heals. The biggest disadvantage, however, is the cost. Compared to regular medicine it is much more expensive, but some argue that over the long run the cost of treatment will even out.

It is important to choose the doctor who will do the laser acne therapy carefully. Make sure he is experienced. Speak to some of his previous patients and have a look at their before-and-after photos. This will give you a good idea about his skill level. It is also important to remember that results from laser therapy differ from person to person because we all have different types of skin. This is another reason to consult with an experienced doctor - to determine whether you are a good candidate for laser acne therapy and what your chance are for a favourable result.

Wilhelm Greffrath is the founder of project-33.com and a practising community pharmacist in South Africa who has a grievance with bombastic medical explanations for simple things. Visit his project-33.com website and learn how to become project-33.com/laseracnetreatment.html acne free in three days.