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
September 26, 2008
Cons:
Lasts only for a few months and is very expensive.
I started my laser treatments 4 years ago using VBeam. Spent $3K on 8 treatments that worked wonders - my skin was awesome to the point where I needed to wear no make up (and I had severe cystic and topical acne). Fast forward 2 years and I break out again just as bad. Dermatologist recommends a series of smoothbeam lasers. Another $2K down the hole and my acne significantly improves (though not as great as with VBeam). Fast forward 1 year down the line and my acne returns with a vengence. Only problem I have is that I "know" the lasers work - so it's hard NOT to go back and spend $800 a pop on a treatment that will almost instantly make the cystic acne dissapear. But I need to find a new alternative. The lasers are too expensive to use as a maintenance regime.
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
August 3, 2008
Pros:
None
Cons:
Expensive and did not work at all.
Supposed to help acne, scarring, fine lines, oiliness. I had 4 treatments spaced one month apart and noticed no difference.
A waste of money.
July 28, 2008
Pros:
It did get rid of a few red bits on my face
Cons:
Acne didn't REALLY leave my face THAT much a few but no big deal
What a lie!!!!! its all aload of cack!!! lol it cost me a £1000 and a few spots left my race not to mention the fact that it can hurt but my skin is sensitive. i guess it did take sum redness away but for a thousand pounds i would of liked a spot free face!!! if u have about 3spots yeh i say go 4 it but if u really do have acne i don't waste your time or your cash!!
July 8, 2008
Pros:
improved fine lines on face temporarily, thats as positive as it gets!
Cons:
did nothing to improve acne, incredibly expensive
Absolute waste of money. Please, please do not get sucked in by the advertising- its a lot of money for a treatment which genuinely seems ( read forums like this and you will immediately see a greater amount of negative response) to have little effect on acne. At least with accutane, which is by no means an ideal or risk free solution, it is more frequently effective.
June 16, 2008
Pros:
Tighter Pores, Improved Texture, Improved Tone
Cons:
Severe Hyperpigmentation, Poor Post-operative skin care regimen, Brown Spots Formed in New Places...
For all individual interested in Laser Resurfacing please read this experience from a future doctor:
I am medical student in Los Angeles and my once pretty face helped me pay for my medical education. I sought out a board-certified dermatologist affiliated with my school. The experience has been devastating. The physician's medical and physical exam was inadequate. The physician's diagnosis of melasma was false. The doctor's description of outcome was exaggerated.I suffered a severe infection and pruritus so that I ended up in the ER. The doctor was out of town and did not return my page until two days after being paged. The doctor did not explain UV/Sun Precautions, as a result hyperpigmentation beyond repair!
June 7, 2008
Pros:
quick, and painless
Cons:
NO improvement seen at all after 6 treatments. HAlfway throgh treatments at #3 was told I need microdermabrasion which I did and still NOTHING, my face is still the same and all broken out. Not happy at all and deffenately not cheap.
Dont do it unless you want to waste alot of your money. Its a huge disappointment!
May 28, 2008
Pros:
Made my skin less oily & spots cleared at first
Cons:
After 6 treatments, skin became worse than before having ANY treatment!
Ive had 'spots' for over 11 years and have tried many different treatements, creams, tablets and lotions, but very little has made a difference.
So I saw NLite advertised on a TV program and the results looked great! The patient's skin was worse than mine, but after 3 months was smooth and clear.
I had a consultation and was advised to have 3 treatments (1 a month) and 'see the results' after.
Each treatement costing 180 pounds was pretty steep but i believed it would really help!
My skin just got worse (which i was warned about) but after the 5th session, my skin was pretty good! I was told I should have more, but ofcousre!!
I left it for 2 months to see if it was healing, but they came back, big time!
I've had one more since and my skin is the worst its been in about 2 - 3 years!
I've spent almost 1000 pounds and I feel like ive wasted very penny.
May 26, 2008
Pros:
My skin felt sunburnt for a day or so, it felt like something had happened, which was nice.
Cons:
Skin got worse during the course of treatment, then went back to normal, acne as before.
Waste of money, time, energy. No results whatsoever, even got a couple of extra scars from the outbreak during treatment.
When I asked why it hadn't worked I was told that I needed to have more treatments ( £ £ £). Sales-pitch.
The Private Clinic, London. Oh, they also lost my consultation notes, and then relied on my memory of it, rather than reassessing. Don't know why I still went for it to be honest!
March 21, 2008
Pros:
smoothbeam helps me get rid of my active acne and reduce my oil.
Cons:
it takes so long to see result.
i am asian, skin type V. I go to my local dem and do the smoothbeam, it is not hurt but it reduce the redness. so i went to do the vbeam after that, still waiting to see result. hope it will be good. Npt cover by insurance.
Pros:
It has an immediate affect.