Fighting acne with lasers and light therapy

With the high percentage of adult acne sufferers, you’re likely to have more than one or two patients that deal with breakouts. It’s estimated that acne affects about 25 percent of adult men and 50 percent of adult women at some point in their lives – but with advances beyond just antibiotics or messy creams, acne sufferers are finding relief through lasers and light therapy as well. Here’s a look at some therapies that show promise helping this common skin condition.

 

Light Therapy

What: This narrow-band, high-intensity blue-light therapy is widely advertised and is probably the best-known light therapy for acne treatment. Blue light works by killing acne-causing bacteria and treating inflammatory acne that has not responded to other acne therapies. One of the most successful approaches seems to be two times a week for four weeks, using a combination of blue and red lights.

 

Photodynamic Therapy

What: Patients receive this treatment in two steps. First, a solution of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is applied to the skin to increase sensitivity to light. The solution is then removed prior to treatment. After that, the patient is treated with either blue light therapy, pulsed light plus radiofrequency, or intense pulsed light. Patients must use sun protection for 48 hours after treatment since the ALA makes skin more light sensitive.

 

1450-nm Diode Laser

What: The laser targets acne by heating the deep layer of the skin where oil glands are located, while a specially equipped cooling device protects the top layer of skin from injury. Studies demonstrate outstanding long-term results in treating inflammatory acne, with one reporting 90 percent improvement two years after the treatment, though treatments can be painful.

 

Radiofrequency

What: This treatment has shown promise at shrinking oil glands and improving acne scarring and overall skin texture. This works by delivering intense heat deep into the skin to reduce the size of oil glands. A built-in cooling device protects skin on top. Two different types are being studied: one using just radiofrequency and one used with blue light.