Acne.org Products
Phototherapy
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Laser therapy works by harming skin oil glands. That can lead to some improvement in acne, and perhaps even long-term relief of some acne symptoms. However, evolution gave us skin oil glands for a reason and what happens long term when you permanently disable them is still unknown. Proceed with caution.
Phototherapy
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Lasers? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 10, 2008
Cons:
does not eliminate breakouts
I had 4 treatments in combo with V beam, last one occured 3 weeks ago, and I continue seeing a general improvement of my skin tone. My skin was so much damaged by dozen of oral/topical cures such as accutane that I had no hope any more to recover. Now I feel pretty much better, and I plan to comer over my derm within 6 months.
February 10, 2008
Pros:
After just two treatments my skin cleared up for almost a year. It also firmed up my skin and softened fine lines so I looked a bit younger, so I was told. My skin looked and felt great.
Cons:
Expensive! I paid $300 a treatment at a high end Santa Monica Derm. Office. I should have continued with the treatments because now I have to start all over again. My skin has become excessively oily again and the break outs are flaring up.
It works better than any of the other treatments that I have tried, but I will probably have to have treatments every so often for the rest of my life to maintain clear skin. I don't think that it cures acne, but is a very effective temporary treatment. If the price were to come down a bit I probably would be treated more often in spite of the pain.
January 19, 2008
Pros:
Brown age spots are much lighter.
Cons:
Expensive. Texture of skin looks worse. Crepe paper. New wrinkles around mouth and eyes that weren't there before.
Paid for 4 treatments for a total of $3400. I've done two, and I don't think I'm going to finish the other two, because I think it's making the wrinkles and texture of skin worse.
November 20, 2007
Pros:
It has kept my skin clear about 90%. I now only get about 1-2 breakouts during the time of the month compared to consistent breakouts before when i would get about 10-20 pimples on my face at one time.
Cons:
It is painful and don't expect this to work for red marks or scars.
It has worked for me with 3 treatments. My last treatment was a little over 2 months ago. However, I must point out that when I got my first treatment, I decided to begin taking b5 pills again to help with the clearing up of my skin and I felt it would speed up results from my smoothbeam treatments(No, b5 pills did not clear up my skin when taking it alone without smoothbeam). In addition to the 3 smoothbeam treatments I've had, I still take b5 pills at a smaller dose per day and my face is still clear. My doctor charged $150.00 per treatment and do feel it was worth it. My next goal is to get the Vbeam treatments for my red marks from the same doctor at the same price per treatment.
October 27, 2007
Pros:
Don't know yet
Cons:
Expensive. £250 per session - no reduction for multiple bookings
In response to Karen, Manchester query, I also had my first session 2 weeks ago and I was worried that it only took 4 minutes. I rang another clinic to enquire how long the actual laser treatment takes and they told me that they can only pass the laser over the skin once, so I suppose this will be right. No difference in my skin so far, but I didn't expect any so early on.
February 5, 2007
Pros:
Makes a long lasting difference
I had my last treatment at The Private Clinic in Manchester last week and I can only say that I've never been happier. N-Lite cleared my acne completely and I have no scars or red skin. Everydoby compliments my skin and can't believe the difference. Ive noticed great improvements after the third treatment. A word of caution to anyone who uses Roaccutane: be careful as it gets you very down and very depressed. Thanks N-Lite and thanks to the Private Clinic.
January 25, 2007
Pros:
Seems to reduce oil production
Cons:
LEFT ME WITH BROWN HALF MOON MARKS ALL OVER MY FACE! They are so dark that I cannot cover them up with make up.
Heed the warnings you see here. I read them and thought that I wouldn't be one of the few who get hyperpigmentation from the treatment. It has been a month since my treatment and my brown marks have gotten darker, despite my use of 55 sunblock, hydroquinone, and microdermabrasions. I cry every day over this and wish that I had been patient enough to do a test spot and then wait two weeks to see how much damage it would do.
November 24, 2016
Why is this fantastic treatment overlooked? It works.
I've waited for several months after starting Nlite before posting this review, as I wanted to make absolutely sure the fact my skin is currently perfect (apart from a couple of old scars from cysts) was not due to anything else but the Nlite. I'm not even going to mention what clinic I went to as I was put off myself when reading reviews by the idea that they were bogus reviews written by clinics advertising. I've suffered for about 30 years with acne, with the odd few years of relief when I didn't due to benzl peroxide cream (in my teens when skin was tougher), Dianette contraceptive pill, but then couldn't have that when pregnant or breastfeeding and am reluctant to accept the risks of that nowadays. I even had 9 days on roaccutane which I wrote a review on here about. Firstly, I'm not sure about the other laser names I'm reading in this thread - the treatment I had was "Nlite" laser, and I wasn't sold any other products to go with it nor was it even suggested I'd need them. It involves just the laser and it takes a few minutes. It is quite expensive and top up treatments are needed. I don't know how long between treatments is required yet as I've topped up rather than wait longer than 2 months as I can't bear to wait as I don't want to risk my acne coming back and leaving more scars, but I plan to top up about every two or three months. I've paid £225 in one place and £130 in another place. In one place they even did a "test patch" for £50 so I could see if it worked from the first go, so no having to pay out a fortune just to see!! The nurse in one place told me it seems to work in about 80% of clients (and it hurt slightly so I think she used a higher setting). The doctor in the other said it works in about 70% of his patients (I barely felt anything when treated here - it still worked but there was the odd pimple now and then, whereas I am completely clear after the higher power treatment in the other place that hurt slightly). I could see improvement from the first treatment. Worth a try I think.
January 20, 2013
Pros:
Amazing results not just from prevention of cystic acne but general appearance of skin i.e scarring and pore size and texture over time even reduces redness and tone.
Cons:
cost is a bit pricey especially if your having a minimum of six. Not available on NHS with is a joke !!! and can take a few months to notice a difference but patients is a virtue.
Having suffered severe cystic acne and been on every prescription drug available I thought id try N-lite you get fab results but does take a little while to start seeing any signs of improvement, however you do notice skin looking more plump and fuller after first zap (due to collagen reproduction). I go to the chester wellness centre and from what i can gather its quite a lot cheaper than other places amazing staff, excellent service highly recommend this treatment but remember you must persevere!!!!
September 13, 2012
Pros:
Have seen an improvement
Cons:
slow process
expensive products that i have been advised to use alongside treatments
N-lite comes in 3 treatments. increasing the power each time. i have just finished my second treatment. The treatment itself is not painful maybe a slight bit uncomfortable on my cystic spots. However, my acne is very painful anyways
Pros:
improves skin tone, reduces pores, long time effect