Phototherapy
Reviews
2.9
233 Reviews
Phototherapy
Efficacy
65%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Phototherapy
Side Effects
Medium-High
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.
Read All About Lasers
Compare To Other Treatments
5
15%
4
22.3%
3
19.3%
2
21.5%
1
21.9%

Used Lasers? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 10, 2007
It was very effective treatments. I had 4 sessions, and my acne and the scarring have cleared up. I only have a few deeper old scars left. The nurses at the private clinic gave me some great advice on, not just the treament itself but products as well (which I can't live without now!) but all round good experience that has filled me with confidence.
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August 19, 2007
i went for my first n lite yesterday at the private clinic this is my last hope he said i have mild acne and i need 3 treatments u get redness and bruising but ive woke up with bit redness as expected the people are lovely made me feel comfortable and i thinkitll work im having another one done in 2 weeks so i shall let u know how it improves.
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April 22, 2007

Pros:

I had very good results. My skin is very smooth and free from malasma. The wrinkles around my eyes and between my brow are virtually gone. I had it done 3 months ago. I hope to see more improvement as time passes.

Cons:

The procedure was very painful toward the end because the pain medication wore off. The first 5 days of recovery was miserable. I felt much better after 2 weeks.

It was worth it. I might have done fraxel instead of co2 lazer because of the awful recovery period.
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April 17, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

does not work

do not use. it makes your skin worse. had more scars after the treatment. acne was much worse. dont waste your money or your time.
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February 17, 2007

Pros:

Seem to work for some

Cons:

Total let down for me

I had my treatment at Celibre. It simply did not work for me. It would have been easier to swallow if they were honest about their results. During my consultation I was told my acne would virtually disappear with the exception of a few rare pimples. I asked specifically: 'Are there individuals who do not respond to laser?'. Their answer was: 'There are a small percent who are slower to respond but eventually everyone will see dramatic results.' This is an outright lie. It is clear that many have benefited but beware that many do not. I just want to warn anyone who may be considering Celibre and the likes to be a little skeptical. Do not put all your faith in it. Good luck.
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December 30, 2006

Pros:

N/A

Cons:

N/A

Well.. I recently had my first of three N-lite treatments at the Skin Health Spa - I thought the Private Clinic people were rude, bossy and unhelpful over the phone so I didn't go with them. I paid £150 for the 1st time, but a course of three would have cost £400 if I'd paid in one go. So far I have noticed a slight improvement in my skin tone, and my stubborn spots under the surface have risen so they can heal. Great! I wish I'd started N-lite before I destroyed my skin with BP. I'm going to have botox injections to get rid of the damn wrinkles that BP has given me. I'd rather have spots than wrinkles!!! I'm confident that N-lite will work for me.
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February 11, 2017
Never do it
Do not do this! My skin was ruined and now i can get out of my house because i have whiteheads over my whole face and pimples. My acne was pretty cleared up before i did this, Im so sad and dissapointed. I hope it Will cleared up over time, but it Will leave me scars
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March 5, 2009

Pros:

My face looks so much better and my pores are smaller

Cons:

Much more painful then I was expecting. Also the bleeing I did not expect

I got the profractional laser treatment and micro laser peel done a week ago. It was more painful then I thought and I looked messed up for the first 3 days. Its been a week and I look normal again with only a few red areas. My pores are much smaller and my skin is smoother. The Dr. said I should see improvement for the next several months. So far I am very pleased with this procedure and would recommend it to others.
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December 16, 2008

Pros:

No side effects

Cons:

Costly but worth it, uncomfortable treatment

I've had acne since 13, now 23, like most of you I tried everything short of accutane. Antibiotics were the only success story for me until now. First couple of treatments I was disappointed and started to worry if I wasted my money (again!), broke out mildly before the third treatment. I would say I'm now 80% clear, I still get spots but they're far smaller and heal quicker. I had my treatments at the skin health spa in selfridges, the staff are perfectly pleasant but bottom line is they are selling you a product, and you get that feeling. But if you've done your research and want to try it who cares! Had initial 3 treatments for £400 (this includes a glycolic peel and extractions before each laser) and I'm having a 4th done at reduced price of £100. After 4th I will have the top ups. I also bought the products to go with, they're Jan Marini and I think they help with pigmentation. So far it's worth it, as long as the maintenence treatments that follow
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December 2, 2008

Pros:

My skin is soft. Some blotchiness/redness is gone. Some brown spots are gone. I had some broken blood vessels, which are almost completely gone.

Cons:

I have rosacea, and the last fraxel laser treatment I had made it worse (I had 3). I also had clear skin for the most part before my treatments, but now I feel like I'm constantly battling pimples. My skin is more sensitive now, too.

I paid a lot of money for disappointing results. I did do a lot of research before I did this. I went to a dermatologist that specializes in laser treatments. If you're thinking about doing this, keep in mind you may just end up trading some skin problems for other kinds of skin problems. I wouldn't do the fraxel again, just the pulsed light laser to even out my skin tone and get rid of some sun damage.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.