6 replies to this topic

[Prettywords]

LONDON - Acne blights the teenage years and can make life a misery, but doctors said Friday that laser therapy could offer new hope for teenagers and adults with the skin condition.

Creams and antibiotics are usually given to control the problem that affects about 90 percent of teen-agers and many adults, but Dr. Anthony Chu, a dermatologist at Hammersmith Hospital in London, said pulsed-dye laser therapy is also effective.

In 41 patients with mild to moderate acne, Chu and his team found improvements after just one treatment in 31 patients who received the laser therapy compared to no difference for 10 patients who were given a sham treatment.

“It is the first time lasers have been shown to have an effect in treating active acne,� Chu told Reuters, adding that lasers have been used for treating acne scarring.

‘It is the first time lasers have been shown to have an effect in treating active acne.’


— DR. ANTHONY CHU


Acne can range from the occasional flare-up of pimples or spots that do not require any treatments to severe cases that can cause scarring and psychological problems and can appear on the face, neck, arms, back and chest.

Most acne treatments, whether cream or oral antibiotic, must be used daily. Chu said one laser treatment would probably be needed every three months.

‘Not a cure'
“After a single treatment with the laser you had a persistent effect over a three-month period,� he said.

“It is not a cure for acne. It is a treatment — and a very good treatment,� he added.

Pulsed-dye laser therapy targets red blood cells and is given in very short spurts lasting about 0.3 milliseconds. The entire treatment lasts about 10 minutes, is painless and does not have any side effects.

Laser therapy has already been used to increase collagen production in the skin to smooth wrinkles and facial lines. Chu suspects in acne it reduces inflammation that causes the spots to come up.

Chu and his colleagues said laser therapy should be further explored as an alternative to daily drugs or creams.

“The importance of acne is that it causes major psychological problems. We have a lot of people who become very distressed, even suicidal, because of their acne,� said Chu.

Another benefit of laser treatment is that it treats the active acne and the potential scarring at the same time because the laser energy level used to treat both is the same.

Professor Guy Webster, of Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Penn., said using lasers to treat acne could reduce the need for drugs, but more study was needed.

Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited.

[purepersian786]

first it was nlite
and now its PDL
when is all this false hope gonna stop

[Prettywords]

first it was nlite
and now its PDL
when is all this false hope gonna stop

How do you know it is a sham?

[Maya]

Hi Emma - yes, I do see DR CHU from time to time. Most (bar a few) of my excisions were successful with him, I'm not sure if I got much in the way of results with subcision ... and I'm pretty sure that the NLites did not help me. He's a great guy though.

[Prettywords]

Hi Emma - yes, I do see DR CHU from time to time. Most (bar a few) of my excisions were successful with him, I'm not sure if I got much in the way of results with subcision ... and I'm pretty sure that the NLites did not help me. He's a great guy though.

I read the article, and then it dawned on me that this might be your Dr. Chu. The one that gives a discount if you speak Cantonese

Anyway, maybe he'll do this for you for free if he's doing trials....if you're interested.

[Maya]

I read the article, and then it dawned on me that this might be  your Dr. Chu. The one that gives a discount if you speak Cantonese

Anyway, maybe he'll do this for you for free if he's doing trials....if you're interested.

LOL!!

My acne is rarely bad these days ... just the odd break out which subcides pretty quickly ... I've seen some of Dr Chu's acne patients in the waiting room ... they have a lot of acne compared to someone like me, so I may not be a likely candidate.

However, I see Dr Chu via the NHS (UK health insurance system) so I don't pay anyway!

To date, I would attribute Dr Chu's work on me to have yielded an overall 30% improvement in my scarring and the rest is down to my self TCA CROSS treatments (which are continuing to improve) ... and with my starting to do a series of liver flushes, I am pretty confident that I will never have to face break outs again.

I will probably see Dr Chu onve more and call it a day ... and continue on my own (I prefer DIY!!).

Still, this whole process does drag on a little!!

My b/f has taken my kids camping today to get them out of my way while I attempt my first liver flush tomorrow night!! (Yikes, I am pretty nervous although I have been taking all these nasty tasting prepatory herbs for 6 weeks now).

[Prettywords]

To date, I would attribute Dr Chu's work on me to have yielded an overall 30% improvement in my scarring and the rest is down to my self TCA CROSS treatments (which are continuing to improve) ... and with my starting to do a series of liver flushes, I am pretty confident that I will never have to face break outs again. 

I will probably see Dr Chu onve more and call it a day ... and continue on my own (I prefer DIY!!). 

Still, this whole process does drag on a little!! 

My b/f has taken my kids camping today to get them out of my way while I attempt my first liver flush tomorrow night!! (Yikes, I am pretty nervous although I have been taking all these nasty tasting prepatory herbs for 6 weeks now).

Wow! You got a lot of improvement on your own Maya =D>

I can imagine all you do gets tiresome.

I'd be a bit nervous about the flush too, but I'm sure you researched it well and know what you're doing. Good luck, and let us know how it goes(no pun intended).

Emma