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
April 14, 2009
Cons:
cost
For me the smoothbeam has worked wonderfully. The sting of the machine is only slightly annoying, considering how embarassing acne cysts can be, the smoothbeam is nothing in comparision. the texture of my skin is smoother, even some of my fine line wrinkles have diminished along with some of my old darkened marks from previous pimples. i had to have about 5 or 6 treatments on my cheeks and so far 3 on my chin, but my acne is pretty severe. don't know how long it will last, time will tell. for me the only down side is the cost, but compared to how depressed i feel well my skin is swollen and infected, i'll take the smoothbeam and try my best to budget for it.
April 4, 2009
Pros:
saw a huge difference in my skin. had tried EVERYTHING. but I do truly believe you have to look at diet and lifestyle, its not a miracle cure for acne. I also see a nutritonist which has also helped massively. Its about taking an holitic approach
Cons:
the cost BUT, I would never be able to afford it. I was referred through my GP. It was a 5 year battle, but I researched researched researched!!, and would not take no for an answer. I got it on the NHS. Everyone is entitled to this.
go for it, do you research and dont take no for an answer from your GP. I have severe cystic ance caused through an illness, I tried everyting and was dismissed by many GP's. This and topical retinoid treatments combined with diet and nutrition has helped with scarring, healing and overall skin texture, and the bonus is it apparently also helps with wrinkles!!! for me it was the only thing that has helped, I still get outbreaks but fewer and the scaring has reduced dramatically. I can go out of the house without having to put a mask of foundation on and only use light mineral make up (also great for prob skin) good luck, I really know how debilitating acne is, make you Dr listen to you and gain control of your skin. Its easy for them to be dismissive when they dont have to live with it.
June 30, 2009
Pros:
None
Cons:
I had my Nlite treatment 1 month ago. It did nothing to my skin except to make it worse!
Do not try it
May 23, 2009
Pros:
Not as painful as you might think, no down time
Cons:
None at all!
I am not one for pain...going into this procedure this morning I was terrified of the pain and aftermath...every comment I have read on this site didnt make it easy for me to walk in the office calm...My doctors were extremely nice and welcoming, the pain that I was expecting was not pain at all..the best way to describe it is small splashes of hot water on your face...it kind of felt good, my face was not red at first, but about three hours later I looked like I just left the beach....looked like a natural sunburn, The redness is gone now..only lasted five hours...I am back to my normal self and waiting for what is next. I am allowed to wear my make up first thing tomorrow..and I was told to keep lotion on my face and exfoliate as soon as my face starts to peel. As long as I do that, my doctor said nobody will know but me! I am to see him again in a month and looking forward to it, and my new face.
April 5, 2009
Pros:
I just had my first treatment done this morning... so far I think it is going well (although it may be too early for me to really say). My face feels tighter and looks smoother already.
Cons:
It hurt like a bizzatch, even with numbing cream. Especially on the sides of my cheeks next to my hairline. I couldn't feel it much on my chin or my forehead though. But beauty is pain, and you have to tough it out or you'll never ever see results
I can't wait to see what my skin looks like after a few more treatments. I've tried everything there is to try including many pills and almost every topical, and one other laser, and my acne has been winning the war for many many years. I can't believe I'm actually optimistic.
July 5, 2009
Pros:
Skin feels really smooth.
Cons:
Still getting oily skin which causes my breakouts.
I am 23 years old and have had moderate acne since I was 15 years old. I mainly breakout around the chin, neck line where I shave, forehead, and corner of nose (t-zone areas) because my skin produces way too much oil. I am planning to do 3 smoothbeam treatments at $250 piece six weeks apart. I have had one treatment so far at a medium setting with multiple passes. I did not experience any pain during my first treatment ( it actually felt pretty cool). My skin is looking better, however, I am still one oily son of a b**ch, and I constantly have to use those oil absorbing pads or else my face shines like a star. I thought this was suppose to reduce oil (which is the main reason I got the treatment). Hopefully, after a couple of months and treatments I will start to notice the oil reducing. I am looking forward to my 2nd and 3rd treatments as I think my skin will only get better. I hope this works!!! I will post a couple of weeks after my 2nd treatment.
April 29, 2009
Pros:
Red marks heal faster, skin is smoother, active acne improves
Cons:
Cost - depending on where you go
This is not a permanent solution. No laser treatment is.
First off, beaware of the private clinic. They post +ve reviews of themselves on here just to balance all the -ve feedback they get from customers. They are overpriced and there are better clinics around. I used the skin health spa in london, and it was a hellof a lot cheaper then what private clinic was askng for. 3 treatments for £320 (march promo) and that includes a glycolic peel before hand. This is needed because the skin needs a 'prep' before the nlite so the laser can penetrate deeper. Its more effective that way, or you could try a microdermabrasion treatment (crystals). My results varied, the first time i went for a course, i was amazingly clear for about a year. Then i got the occasional pimple here and there. After christmas i broke out horribly and linked it to all the sugary foods i had during xmas. I am going again for another course
March 2, 2012
Pros:
- Skin feels tighter
- Big reduction in pimples and oil on my face
- Pores seem to be smaller
- My skin is generally much better than before
Cons:
- Can be a little uncomfortable on the higher settings
I have had 3 treatments to date and have tried many different settings. The first time I went I had it on a relatively low setting but the technician did several passes over my entire face. On subsequent visits I have been taking a more intense treatment, it is a little uncomfortable at first but with the anesthetic cream you quickly get used to it and its not much to worry about. I would highly recommend the treatment to anyone who has suffered from acne. It's really helped me a lot. I am 2nd Generation Australian with rather light skin. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. I have read several of the posts below and do not really understand where most people are going wrong, I did not experience any redness or down time at all and went straight back to work.
May 15, 2009
Pros:
It did reduce my active acne. I had 2 sessions about 5-6 weeks apart.
Cons:
It was very expensive at £400 for two sessions. Not permanent.
It did make a difference where no other creams or diet changes had before. I did notice the acne reducing within days but I could only manage 2 treatments as it was so expensive. I went to the Private clinic in Harley St having read the press but I did feel like I was on an assembly line and they couldn't wait to get my payment details. They say in the blurb that there is no down time but it did make my face go red and luckily I had brought my make up with me so I could put it on again in the loo before I left the building. The redness did calm down quickly enough during my journey home but I wouldn't like to have this done in a lunch hour and return to work or meet anyone straight after. I am going to recommend it because it did work for me but it's only for people with the money to continue treatments. It was uncomfortable but I don't think it was too painful. Please see my review of the BeautySkin acne light.
January 14, 2009
Pros:
Decreased the "pea" sized bumps under my skin along the jaw line. Comparable in price if you consider all the things I've spent money on trying to rid my acne... proactive, mirad, microdermabrasion etc.
Cons:
Not the results I expected considering it a rather extreme procedure. My face seems somewhat more irritated than before I tried Smoothbeam. [side note] I also purchased over $120 worth of Skinceuticals products.... not doing much so far. Anyone else?
In the last year I've stopped taking birth control pills thinking it was making my skin break out, only to realize my skin got WAY worse without the pill. I researched Smoothbeam laser treatment and decided to do it. I got an alright deal; 5 treatments for $500. I've had 2 so far, about 3 to 4 weeks apart. So far I've noticed a bit of improvement as there are way less bumps along my jaw line, but as for the more surface acne on my chin it seems worse. Is there truth to the "it has to get worse before it gets better?" Previous to starting these treatments I would use the tanning bed to get control over my break outs, after my counseltation with the dr. I swore never to tan again; I'm tempted though as I've barely noticed any results so far....
Pros:
has definitely cleared up my cheeks, acne has seemed to migrate down to my chin now, so now i am following up with some chin treatments.