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
August 22, 2007
I had a 5 treatments at The Private Clinic and I started to see great results after my third treatment. The redness that I had after second treatment is now gone completely. I agree with many other postings here that it takes a few treatments to see improvements, and that it gets worse before it gets better. The nurse was lovely and very professional. Thanks
July 18, 2007
Cons:
I must have tough skin because my aesthetician used a very high setting (14) on me for 3 sessions (!) one month apart, and I felt very little pain. The redness went away within 15 minutes each time. She asked me if I were on Valium! (No!)
My skin has become completely clear and radiant! For me the laser didn't work. But I know that for many people it does--I think I'm an unusual case. However, I HAVE cut out all white stuff and processed food from my diet, now drink 10 glasses of water a day, exercise, take Dr. Sears' pharmateutical grade Omega 3 oil (2 tsp. per day--see his web site) and have started the complete Obagi skin care system, combining the Clenziderm with the Nu-derm products, including tretinoin. I eat well, meditate, and take a high quality multi-vitamin, as well as some other supplements for insulin resistance. I have to say it was worth having the laser treatments to find out about the Obagi skin care system. I found out about the Omega 3 oils and cutting out bad carbs in my diet through my own research. (The price quoted is for 3 sessions of the laser.)
April 1, 2007
Pros:
Acne-free in 3 months (with the help of BP too) and completely soft and rejuevenated, healthy, toned skin.
Cons:
There isn't one. No acne sufferer could put a price on clear skin - its worth every penny. I've probably spent more than £450 over the years on sh*tty OTC products, fad diets and prescriptions that never worked.
To any one who has already used, or is currently using BP, this treatment works identically but in higher doses! It produces oxygen under the skin to kill bacteria and also stimulates collagen to promote healing. And it works. My skin had reached such a severe point I can honestly say that I'd given up on life. I used to think about ways to kill myself on the tube - I was so miserable. No treatment worked and I'd been fighting it for two years. I honestly just wanted to die. I found the N-lite treatment on the Skin health Spa website and thought why not. Its saved my skin and my life. I never had an initial breakout or bruising - it didn't hurt. I just carried on using BP (as I'd always done) and weeks after the 3rd and final treatment my skin looked perfect. I was and still am so happy and soo thankful. I'm still using BP in teeny tiny quantities but my skin is clear. My advice - don't waste your time, your money or your hopes on any other treatment.
April 1, 2007
Cons:
Seemingly no effect + very expensive.
Private clinic in London probably not the best place to have treatment: some of the staff are rude + unable to answer questions, too busy and emphasis is on 'Sales'.
Have only had one treatment with the private clinic in London, and haven't noticed any difference whatsoever. The treatment doens't appear to have damaged my skin, but neither has it improved it. The acne is supposed to get worse after the first treatment, but it looks exactly the same. From a treatment which is so expensive, I expected to see some results. If after my next treatment I see any developments, I will update this rating.
March 29, 2007
Pros:
I have not noticed many pros but then I may be too early to judge as I have only had two so far. Not that painful and no downtime.
Cons:
It is very expensive. It has also exasperated my acne. I am getting more cystic acne now.
I am a bit frustrated with the procedure. I have spent so much money on procedures over my life time to try to "cure" my acne and nothing has worked. I am 38 years old and still break out! I am hoping after the third or fourth time, I will notice a difference in oiliness, and cystic break outs. I will definately write back after my third treatment and update my opinion.
March 26, 2007
Pros:
can't think of any
Cons:
ruined my skin
I had a treatment done at the Laser Treatment Clinic 1in London, 1 Harley. The people you speak to are not qualified and do not check your skin. They mention the only side effect are some red marks that stay for 15 minutes. One hour after the laser treatment, I had some massive red marks all over my face. After 2 hours it died down but was left with very deep red marks. After 4 days the red marks turned into purpura and started having small buttons with white heads. I was so scared, I went to a skin specialist who gave me some cream with antibiotics. This helped to heal and I was left after 2 weeks with some marks that turned pink. After 4 weeks I still had some light pink marks and 6 months later, we can still see where the laser went. It left some marks and I now have some holes in my beard. This treatment did nothing for me. I still have the same level of acne but I now have marks for ever. So please don't go to these private clinic. They just want your money and are not qualified
January 26, 2007
Pros:
My skin felt and looked better for a while.
I had breakouts after N-lite, but they went away faster, they sort of dried up. Plus the pimples and papules were much smaller.
At least it didn't make my skin worse.
Cons:
The results were quite good, but they didn't last as long as I was promised (6 months or longer) - my skin stayed quite clear only about two weeks and then I started having breakouts again after every treatment.
Altogether I took three treatments, because that's what the staff recommended. After the third treatment they wanted me to have another one. I'm still wondering what to do. I'm not sure if N-Lite is the best option, if you think about how much it costs and the poor results that you get from spending so much money. At times the clinic staff seemed to only care about money and they knew how desperate I was. After the first appointment they promised that next time will be cheaper, but they lied. I could not refuse to pay, because I had had the treatment done already and I was too nervous to say anything. But maybe I should take the fourth treatment to see if the results would last, before saying N-lite is all lies. Yet another BUT, when I first mett the staff "the magic word" was three. They promised that after three treatments my skin will be clear but now the number has changed to four and I bett after that it will be five and so on...
December 31, 2006
Pros:
Initally seemed to improve my skin
Cons:
Very expensive
Made my skin worse
Staff at The Private Clinic Harley Street very rude
Total waste of money. I had four sessions in all and it initally helped my skin but follow up sessions are needed at £200 at time. The nurses are so clueless on the results avalible from the treatment and just told me I needed to visit every 3-4 weeks until I got the results I wanted!! Like i'm made of money. In the end it upset my skin so much I am now 2 and a half months in on my first course of roaccutane.
December 30, 2006
Pros:
No down time, quick recovery. Procedure is very quick.
Cons:
Can take months to see if there is a benefit, after you have spent quite a bit of money. It's a gamble, an expensive and emotional one as well.
I have just had my third treatment. The first time the technician used the cooling jets and I felt absolutely no pain at all. However, for my 2nd treatment, I was informed they were no longer allowed to use the cooler as it decrease the efficacy of the laser. This 2nd visit was beyond painful, literally I cried; & I have a very high pain tolerance! Third time, I applied tons of numbing cream earlier so that it was on for a little more than an hour and took 3 advil an hour before. This made a HUGE difference; it was completely tolerable this time. I have NOT seen any improvement in my acne, in fact I experience a flare-up along my jawline following treatment, this is very frustrating. You really want to see an improvement, but none visible as of yet. The tech says it usually take 5 or 6 visits before you see a difference. I am hoping so, nothing else has worked so far. I have always had nice skin, my doc says it is hormones. I am a 37 yr.old female. I'll re-post after 6th visit.
November 20, 2006
Pros:
I've had two of five treatments, and things are looking good
Cons:
It's still a little slow, especially when you just want to have your face back from acne
I'm 26 and going through hormonal changes, which triggered the worst acne of my life (by far) I tried everything, from prescriptions and TV promises, to acne fighting yoga, and acne psyco-analysis/hypnotics. I finally turned to laser treatments, and am thrilled. First treatment, they determined the sensitivity of my skin (not too sensitive from the beating I'd given it with topical solutions), so no real change. Second one, my scars glowed for about 24 hr, but were dramatically reduced the next day. I was also a little chapped around the mouth, but that cleared up within a day too. It's been three days, and I haven't gotten a new pimple since the second treatment (which is about 7 less than I usually get) And the best part, my little town is charging $35 a treatment. Yes, I made them repeat the price three times to me when I first made the appointment, considering that I had been quoted $375 a treatment in Calgary (nearby city). So, hooray for the small town!
Pros:
Didn't work for me. I had hoped it would slow down the oil production. I have extremely oily skin and really thought this might work for me. I can actually watch my oil glands fill up and spill out in my T-zone.