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
April 3, 2009
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 13, 2009
Pros:
Acne cleared up alot , less black heads and acne scaring improved
Cons:
Expensive!
Well I started my treatment at the Cottage surgery in Dudley , they're the most recommended acne treatment place in the West Midlands with celebrity customers who come there. Two years ago I started & my acne was very severe with cists and large , deep scaring & lots of blackhead particularly on my nose & redness. After the 1st treatment you could see a huge difference in my skin & after a one a month session for 6 months my skin was almost perfect , had a few pumpkin peals to help get rid of scars and now continue to have one treatment every 2 months just to keep my skin looking as nice as it does now , no scarring , no acne , no redness , my skin is perfect and you would never of know I had ever had acne. I would 200% recommend it to people , especially the Cottage surgery. they have people as far as the Isle of man & London as customers because they're so renound for their treatments. & they're not money grabbers.
February 17, 2009
Pros:
I am starting to see results after my third session. YEAH!!!!!
Cons:
Painful, even with numbing cream. Somewhat expensive but i m getting a deal.
I have or had a pretty bad inflated acne. I have been taking meds and creams for about four or five months and three sessions of smoothbeam. After not seeing resulst (actually got worst first) with the creams, pills, and laser treatment, i started to doubt my doctor and my self about actually getting rid of my acne in the forehead. Thankfully, finally i see a light at the end of the tunnel. My acne is getting better. I still have a bad case of blemishes ( red pigmentation) that my doctor said will go away in three to six months (lase helping too). Slow and painful (mentally and physically) process. Be very very patient and soon you will see a light at the end of the tunnel. P.S. My doctor (chicago) gave me a deal on the treatment of my acne, he charges me $85.00 for consultation, smooth beam and cortisone shots on only my forehead.
February 4, 2009
Pros:
It works!!!! Also helps old scars fade a bit faster.... starts working after the first session...No down time..
Cons:
Laser feels like a rubber band snapping against your face. It hurts most across the forehead and at $500 per session, it can get pricey depending on how many treatments are needed
I HAD cystic acne. It was painful and unsightly. I only went for one smoothbeam treatment and my skin has cleared up. I typically get one pimple a month now...im sure if i went back and paid another $500 i would never break out again but it seems unnecessary. I had bad acne for 6 yrs .....$500 and 30 mins out of my schedule is worth the results....if u have bad scarring u may want to consider chemical peels...
January 6, 2009
Pros:
Very Quick, Minimal Pain, No downtime Real potential for shrinking oil glands, reducing acne and helping improve/correct acne scars
Cons:
None so far. Do not let price be a deterrent for you.
Like others, I have suffered with acne for over 17 years. From the time I was 13 till present, I have been to at least 10 different dermatologists over the years, and have taken every type of acne medication ever offered. Many years of oral antibiotics, dozens of prescription face creams and face washes, two courses of accutane with no improvement. I thought that I was just an unfortunate person that would have to deal with severe acne and terrible scars my whole life. Two weeks ago I decided to have smoothbeam laser treatment and I must say that I can see the difference after the first treatment. Where nothing has worked in the past, this seems like a potential miracle for someone like me. I am very excited and anxious to have the 2nd treatment done and I will most certainly post a follow up message. Skin alot less oily, and my scars just look different to me already. I would urge all to try Smoothbeam and not wait.
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.
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
November 26, 2008
Pros:
pain, get someone to drive you home so that you can have something to help with the pain during the treatment. I paid 500.00 for the Active FX and had "agressive" treatment.
I was told that it does get better over a year... we will see.
Cons:
downtime, itch and pain for a week, oh and a lot of showers with the water running down my face.
I hope to see the skin color blend a bit better. I may still be 'red' in certain spots that make me look uneven for now.
It did pull a lot of sun damage, some of the wrinkles are already smoother... but, I still wait for my face to heal completley.
I have a lot more acne and also hope this will go away.
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.
Pros:
It really tightened my skin and it looks much younger.