Most cases of acne can be treated easily enough using simple hygiene and over the counter treatments.
These treatments can quickly resolve mild cases of acne. Some people, however, experience persistent, stubborn acne that does not respond to available treatment or which has the potential to result in scarring.
Most people with mild acne can treat the problem simply by practicing good hygiene and using topical acne treatments available over the counter which contain benzoyl peroxide. People with severe or persistent acne may wish to turn to alternative treatment methods.
A dermatologist is qualified to advice a patient about treating acne with laser therapy or even surgery.
You must evaluate any acne treatments, such as surgery or laser therapy, which you might be considering. For example, you will want to fully understand how many treatments will be required, the costs of treatments, as well as any possible side effects.
The right treatment for one person may not be the right treatment for the next person.
Laser treatments and surgery can be used to treat acne scarring but you also want to use treatments that will reduce the recurrence of acne as well. This can make the entire process of selecting the right acne treatments quite complex and confusing.
Laser Treatments for Acne
Laser technology has changed the way health care practitioners treat many health issues and acne falls into this category. Today, treatments that were unavailable for stubborn acne only a few years ago are not only available, but quite affordable.
Treatments using lasers involve using various wavelengths of light aimed directly on the effected area. The wavelengths pulse as they contact the skin and destroy over-sized sebaceous glands and even acne lesions.
Laser therapy can remove the outer skin layers to encourage new cell growth as a means of scar treatment.
The skin care professional will set the laser correctly to properly treat the acne-affected area. There are few side effects associated with these treatments, although they can be slightly uncomfortable. On the other hand, the treatments do not involve lots of messy creams or ingesting prescription medications.
There is much debate about how effective laser treatments are for acne. Even one treatment can make a difference in the skin appearance of some patients.
Some patients experience side effects such as redness, burned skin that may last for a week or more and uneven skin appearance if the laser is not applied consistently. People with dark skin may experience skin discoloration after having acne treatments using a laser.
Surgery for Acne
Surgery for the treatment of acne can involve opening and draining clogged matter from the acne lesions. Blackhead and whitehead treatments do not require actual surgery.
Instead, a nurse, dermatologist, or esthetician uses a small blade to open the lesion and remove the matter inside.
Severe cysts associated with acne may require excisional surgery. This is a more involved surgical process by which deep acne cysts can be removed. This surgery is avoided when possible because it tends to cause scarring.
If you have acne that does not respond well to treatments available over the counter, when paired with good skin care; do not despair. The laser treatments for acne can prevent your having to suffer annoying, painful acne blemishes or live with lifelong scars from these blemishes.