Laser Treatments Effective In Treating Acne: Study
Posted August 2, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Most people associate acne with adolescence but Raquel da Silva developed the skin condition at the age of 23.
“I was in university and when things got a little stressful, I started to break out,” she said. “Mostly on the temple, in and around the cheekbones and chest.”
She’d tried everything on the market to clear up her skin but to no avail. She then discovered a treatment that uses Levulan ointment activated with a blue light. Another similar treatment uses the same ointment with a pulse laser.
“You can see results within weeks with these treatments rather than waiting months with topical or oral antibiotics,” dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellet explained.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests laser treatment can reduce facial acne and there are few side effects.
The report states the treatment is effective on all skin types. Experts studied 22 patients with light to very dark skin who had three laser sessions to clear their skin at three to four week intervals.
After three treatments researchers found the patients’ acne lesion counts were reduced, on average, by 75 percent.
Even better is the fact that there are few side effects, which were minimal and included redness and swelling.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Acne?
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Pimples
- Cysts
What Causes Acne?
There are three main causes:
- Over production of oil
- Irregular shedding of dead skin cells which causes irritation of hair follicles
- Bacteria buildup
Risk Factors
- Acne is most common in teenagers, both boys and girls
- Women and girls two to seven days before their period
- Pregnant women
- People using certain medications, including cortisone
Other risk factors include:
- Exposing your skin to greasy and oily substances, or to certain cosmetics
- Family history of acne
- Friction or pressure on the skin, including telephones and cell phones, tight collars and backpacks
How Is It Treated?
There are a number of ways you can treat acne. Here’s a list of what you can do:
Topical Treatments: Over the counter acne lotions are generally quite mild and will help dry up oil, kill bacteria and stop the shedding of skin. Most over-the-counter products contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid as their active ingredient and are good for mild acne. If it doesn’t improve you may want to see your doctor or dermatologist to get a prescription for a stronger lotion like Tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, Renova) and adapalene (Differin).
Antibiotics: prescription oral antibiotics can be used to treat moderate to severe acne. Antibiotics may have to be used in combination with topical lotions.
Isotretinoin: This is used for deep cysts when antibiotics may not be enough. This medication is used only for the most severe cases of acne and can have severe side effects for pregnant women.
Oral Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives, including a combination of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol (Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen), have been shown to improve acne in women.
Cosmetic Surgery: Surgery can be used to diminish acne scars.
Skin Care Measures You Can Do At Home:
- Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. Products such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks generally aren’t recommended because they tend to irritate skin, which can aggravate acne. Excessive washing and scrubbing also can irritate skin. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair frequently.
- Try over-the-counter acne lotion to dry excess oil and promote peeling. Look for products containing benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol or salicylic acid as the active ingredient.
- Avoid irritants. You may want to avoid oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, hair-styling products or acne concealers. Use products labeled “water-based” or “noncomedogenic.” For some people, the sun worsens acne. Additionally, some acne medications can make you more susceptible to the sun’s rays. Check with your doctor to see if your medication is one of these, and if so, stay out of the sun as much as possible and any time you have to be in the sun, use sunscreen that doesn’t clog your pores.
- Watch what touches your face. Keep your hair clean and off your face. Also avoid resting your hands or objects such as telephone receivers on your face. Tight clothing or hats also can pose a problem, especially if you’ll be sweating. Sweat, dirt and oils can contribute to acne.
- Don’t pick or squeeze blemishes. Picking or squeezing can cause infection or scarring. Most acne will clear up without this kind of intervention. If you need aggressive treatment, see your doctor or dermatologist.
Courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.
