Laser Treatment for Acne

The treatments using blue light treat the active infection of acne. The beneficial effects last at least 6 to 9 months or even longer. They do not treat the underlying cause of the acne flare-up. Laser treatment focuses on the sebaceous gland and has a 98-99% response rate after three treatments. The beneficial effect seems to be quite durable. The discovery of this effect was a beautiful example of serendipity. A new laser was designed with a target of water. Its goal was to stimulate production of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin in order to treat the presence of fine wrinkles. Dr. Mark Blair, who was serving at the San Diego Naval Base, performed skin biopsies on patients in a clinical trial. He noted that there was a direct effect on the sebaceous glands and thus the laser treatment for acne was developed. I have seen photos of service men whose backs were treated for acne. One side was treated with laser; the other side was not treated, using it as a control.  The results were striking.  I have heard Mark lecture recently and have spoken with him personally. He has made a great contribution to acne sufferers.

The down-side of laser treatment is that it is somewhat uncomfortable. The back is not very senstitive and is easily treated. Our laser has a continuous contact cooling using a sapphire window connected to a chiller, which has a digital control to choose the precise degree of continuous cooling.  Some lasers have cooling by means of a cryogen spray.  This sprays just before the laser fires. It can also be used after the laser fires, but most physicians don't use it in that mode.  The face can be treated, but if active lesions are present, they are more uncomfortable-just ask my two daughters-so we purposely avoid acutely inflammed areas. We also use a topical anesthetic as well.

Two Step Treatment for Active Acne

Therefore, if a patient has significant inflammatory acne on the face, I recommend the BLU-U first to decrease the acute inflammation. Then we can follow up with the laser to treat the sebaceous glands with minimal discomfort.  Since we are a physicians' office, we can always prescribe analgesic medications for patients who are sensitive to pain.

Laser for Acne Scarring

The same laser that we use for active acne can also be used to treat certain types of acne scars. Rolled, soft-edged or boxcar scars are best for laser treatment; ice-pick scars to do not respond as well. As I mentioned above, this laser was originally designed to stimulate collagen growth.  That is what the flattened out scars need to look better. A series of treatments is required, and you have to be patient because it is a slow, gradual process.  It can take from 6 to 9 months to see the full effect after 6 treatments. These treatments do not involve acutely inflammed skin and are very well tolerated using just the normal continuous cooling with the sapphire window and chiller.

Additionally, we offer microlaser peel using the erbium laser.  This removes the surface layers of skin producing softer smoother skin.

Acne Treatments

Blu-U 

Photodynamic Therapy 

Zeno 

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