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
November 19, 2006
Cons:
few white spots that go
do it
September 11, 2018
Temporary moderate results
I suffer from cystic acne and have sensitive, but oily skin. After receiving 4 smoothbeam treatments, I didn't notice any results at first. However, after a month or so after my final treatment, once the acne I had started to clear, I experienced a noticeable reduction in new cysts, specifically on my forehead (where I am oiliest). I also suffer from pretty severe hormonal acne along my jawline, which I don't believe the treatments helped much. It has been ~5-6 months since my last laser and I was getting quite oily again in my t-zone and suddenly got a cystic breakout on my forehead (about 2-3 cysts, which is still much less than I would experience prior to laser treatments). I knew that my aesthetician mentioned maintenance treatment after about 6 months, so last week I went in for another smoothbeam treatment. Already, my skin is much less oily and my forehead breakout has cleared up. I want to emphasize that I do not think smoothbeam is a cure-all but it may be a solution for a very specific skin-type and type of acne.
May 10, 2015
Pleased with results
I have had 2 of my 3 Nlite laser treatments and am rea and pleased with the results!! I had awful cystic acne and have suffered with adult acne for a long time so my skin was in a right state when I had my first appointment. I would say week 1 was less active then my acne continued to be fairly active until week 4-5 when new ones slowed and it started to heal. I am now 4 weeks after my second treatment and although I still have a couple of active pimples my skin has improved remarkably! I have not suffered any big cystic ones since the first couple of weeks after treatment. I still have a way to go in terms of the marks fading and some scaring but I finally feel like my acne is under control and is healing faster than new ones are coming. I would definitely reccomend this. Even though this is expensive I wish I had done it years ago abd naybe could have prevented some of the damage caused by cystic acne. I have had the Nlite in combination with a 40% glycolic acid peel before each Nlite lasted treatment. And using a milder glycolic acid face wash twice daily.
April 3, 2009
Pros:
It really tightened my skin and it looks much younger.
Cons:
It made my pores shrink at first then I got many bumps and clogged pores and white heads and now my skin is very rough and bumpy and my pores are back. I had co2 lasering 6 weeks ago.
I would do it again because my wrinkles are gone in most places but I wish I would have known about the acne before I did it.
March 6, 2009
Pros:
non yet
Cons:
no improvments
hi about 5 days ago i went and had my first nlite treatment.the dermatoligist did no skin testing!
szo now im in dy 5 and i have no results!did anyone else no see results in the first week? ty
January 4, 2009
Pros:
It worked real well after 5 treatments. then i did a glycolic peel in between the 5th and 6th treatment and that totally messed up my skin. so i gotta get more. oil production is much less. improved the apprearance of scars. forehead is flawless!
Cons:
i get weird breakouts after the procedure ( on my nose, upper lip, etc.) but they go away. I did not see results until the 4th treatment but they started me at a low setting and worked up the intensity with proceeding procedurs.
U have to do many procedures. They sold me 7 more treatments for $700 total so i will continue doing it. This time with no peels in between. Overall, i like the appearance of the upper half of my face and hopefully can get the same results with the lower half after some time. U cant depend on this alone for acne. U must use a regimen that works for u.
November 6, 2008
Pros:
I have only had two treatments but seems to works well. Just got off my aldactone pills and my skin is still clear. Normally if I skip even one day of those pills I get that cystic acne back.
Cons:
It's expensive and sometimes leaves red scale marks on your face for a few days if they administer the laser wrong.
So far I love it. And yeah, the price is expensive, but were talking about your face! I have also heard that it can be safely done while pregnant. They just dont want you using the numbing cream.
October 8, 2008
Pros:
Had a series of 5 treatments in 2005, my acne was essentially cured after 15 years - and my scarring improved significanlty.
Cons:
Not cheap and a bit painful if you don't use a topical anesthetic (Simple solution: USE NUMBING CREAM!)
I had a series of 5 treatments, each spaced a month apart, back in 2005. I had moderate acne with some cystic acne on my temples and cheeks. My acne broke out worse for the first two months, which was my skin clearing everything out. The acne persisted, but gradually improved, for the 6 months following the first treatment (through the other five treatments). Within 6 months of the last treatment my face was acne free, which it hadn't been for 15 years! I was told by my derm that I would need to come in about every six months for a maintainence treatment, but my skin remained clear until around august of 2008 - three and a half years! My acne has not returned at anywhere near the old level, but over the last couple of months I have had very light breakouts - a level of acne that I would have killed for before the smoothbeam treatments. Nevertheless I will be going in for my first maintainence treatment (or two or whatever's necessary) to keep my skin perfect.
August 16, 2008
Pros:
Works perfectly for about 6 months
Cons:
Once it is no longer in affect, the acne slowwwwlly but SURELY comes back to the same nasty form
expensive ($550 per treatment)
good if you do it once every few months to control it
July 14, 2008
Pros:
Did see an improvement with texture of skin.
Cons:
Left brown circles on my face for about 2 months. Does anyone know when this will start to fade or is it permanant?
Well still not sure because the brown circles have not faded yet.
Pros:
i tried it and im brown skinned and it s bloody wicked