Acne is a common condition that impacts millions of people from all walks of life. While most cases of acne are confined to the teenage years and can be treated quite effectively with over-the-counter preparations, some people are not so lucky. Severe acne can cause significant scarring and can impact both young people and adults. However, there are some treatments available to help ease the physical discomfort and emotional distress acne can cause. Here, we ask the Laser Treatment Clinic to explain how laser therapy for acne can help target problem areas, destroy the bacteria that causes acne, and reduce the symptoms of inflammation.
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What Is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition which causes blackheads, whiteheads and pimples, along with red, sometimes painful bumps. It occurs in places where the hair follicles are clogged with dead skin and oil, and can typically appear on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and back.
It is thought that some types of acne run in families, while others are related to hormonal changes in the teenage years. However, acne can impact anyone at any age and can cause not only physical pain and suffering but emotional distress and loss of confidence too.
Thankfully, there are treatments available to even those with severe acne, and laser treatment is becoming more popular as an option for those with severe acne.
What is Laser Therapy for Acne?
If you are considering laser therapy for severe acne, you should understand how the treatment works. While a skin therapist can take you through the specifics of your treatment, we’ll outline the basics here so you know what to expect.
Essentially, laser therapy uses concentrated light beams to target specific patches of skin. When lasers are used to treat severe acne, they are targeting the sebaceous glands, which produce oil in your skin. The heat within the light beam will destroy the bacteria in the glands, shrinking them to reduce the amount of oil they produce.
Depending on your treatment, the lasers used could include:
- Pulsed dye laser – Redness and scarring caused by acne are commonly treated with this type of laser.
- Nd:YAG – If you have inflammatory acne, with pustules and papules, this kind of laser can be effective.
The type of laser used will depend on the condition of your skin and how severe your acne is. Your therapist will be able to discuss what treatment options you have at an initial consultation. However, this isn’t the only benefit of seeking expert help.
If you’re considering getting laser treatment for severe acne, it’s important to have a skin condition review with an expert therapist. They will be able to give you an idea of how best to treat you, as well as being able to give you insight into what to expect when you have your first treatment.
Being thoroughly informed about your treatment options will ensure you know how to take care of your skin after treatment, in order to prolong your results and really reap the benefits of this type of therapy.
The Benefits of Laser Therapy For Severe Acne
There are many benefits to choosing laser treatment for severe acne. These can include:
- Quick results – You could start to see improved skin after just one treatment, although it is likely that you will need more than one session.
- Scar reduction – If you have scarring caused by severe acne, laser therapy can reduce this.
- Long-term reduction – Laser treatment can help to clear acne breakouts for long periods of time.
If you’re considering laser therapy for severe acne, make sure you seek help from qualified professionals, so that you can ensure your treatment plan addresses your needs.
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