Treating Acne with Laser Cosmetic Surgery

Acne, or pimples, affect everybody at one point in their lives. For some, the occurrence acne is mild and does not last for a long period of time. For others, the acne can be severe and long lasting. Furthermore, acne can lead to severe and permanent scarring.

What is Acne?

Acne usually begins to appear around the time a person enters into puberty. Often, acne improves on its own after puberty. But, for many individuals, it continues to persist into middle age. The lesions of acne are created when the oil glands, called sebaceous glands, open and become blocked. As a result, the oil becomes trapped and builds up in the gland, which results in inflammation. The resulting swelling and inflammation can become extremely intense and cause the oil gland, as well as its associated hair follicle, to rupture. This leads to additional inflammation of the area.

The excessive hormones produced during puberty appear to be a trigger of this vicious acne cycle. Additional factors, such as diet and stress, can also trigger acne outbreaks. In addition, a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes, which is normally found in the skin, appears to contribute to the problem, although the exact link is still unknown. For those with moderate to severe acne, it is important to speak to a physician about treatment options in order to prevent permanent scarring from occurring.

Acne Treatment Options

Acne treatment options have vastly improved over the past twenty years. There are a number of over-the-counter medications available, including benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid preparations. Most prescriptions for acne include a combination of treatments. These treatments do, however, often have side effects such as redness and irritation. Therefore, it is important to discuss different options with your doctor in order to find the one that is best for you.

Severe acne often does not respond well to topical treatments. Therefore, tetracycline antibiotics may necessary to help gain control of the problem. Long-term antibiotic use, however, is not recommended because it can lead to bacterial resistance. For women, use of oral contraceptives, such as the pill, can help improve acne problems. For adult women, hormonal therapy can also bring relief.

Another option for severe acne is isotretinoin, which is marketed under the brand name of Accutane. This medication is highly effective, but can lead to severe birth defects if taken by pregnant women. It can also lead to peeling skin and dry lips. There is also some evidence that the medication leads to feelings of suicide.

With so many side effects associated with other treatments of acne, it is little wonder more and more people are turning to laser cosmetic surgery and light therapy to assist with acne treatment.

Laser Treatment for Acne

Laser therapy for acne often involves the use of the pulsed-dye laser. This type of laser has been proven to significantly reduce the amount of acne on a person’s skin after just one treatment. There are also no serious side effects associated with pulsed-dye laser treatment. Plus, the cost of the laser treatment is very affordable.

An infrared laser can also be used to treat acne. These lasers have been shown to decrease the number of acne lesions by 83% after completing three treatments. This type of laser, however, is associated with redness, temporary pain, and swelling following the treatment. In addition, patients with darker skin sometimes experience hyperpigmentation, which is a darkening of the skin.

Those with problematic acne can find a solution with laser cosmetic surgery. With no side effects and proven effectiveness, it provides the perfect answer for imperfect skin. In addition, those who have already experienced scarring can have their skin smoothed out with laser treatment, bringing back the smooth, shining skin you have been yearning for.