Phototherapy
Reviews
2.9
233 Reviews
Phototherapy
Efficacy
65%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Phototherapy
Side Effects
Medium-High
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.
Read All About Lasers
Compare To Other Treatments
5
15%
4
22.3%
3
19.3%
2
21.5%
1
21.9%

Used Lasers? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
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...
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April 8, 2009

Pros:

None! (So Far)

Cons:

I am due to have my third and final treatment tomorrow. So far my acne has not changed at all. Treatment was painful at the time but no bruising or swelling afterwards which makes me think it may not have been strong enough.
Oh and it cost £790!

Unless there is a miracle improvement after my final session I will believe I have been conned!
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August 6, 2011
Sorry, me again! Judge to add that 4 days after n lite I have four nasty sores on my face where spots had been. Hoping these will clear soon, just thought I'd mention this side effect too. Im hoping it's a simple case of getting worse before it gets better! Xx
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November 15, 2009

Pros:

It really tightened my skin and shrunk my pores.

Cons:

My mom thought I was weird when I beat egg whites and put them on my face, she thought I was going to cook them...haha

I would definitly recommend this to my friends, it worked wonders in such a short time!
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April 8, 2009

Pros:

it clears acne for the time it says it would. like 6 months for me

Cons:

it made my skin really sensitive, and i broke out more than before the treament, white heads all over my face

it made my skin really sensitive and now i feel after the laser treament it has made my skin worst! i have whiteheads all over my face when before it i rarely had that much acne. Also it made my skin rough! Please don't do it, it totally ruined my life. I feel soooo insecure and depressed because of my worsten skin. Just love ur skin and remember that when ur hormones stop raging, ur acne will be better. when u get older,your acne will impreove. I really regret doing laser treatments. I wish i can go back in time and not do it. It has been 5 months since the treatments and I really hope my acne will go away in time. I am 19 and my family memebers said they stoped getting acne at 22, so hopefully it will improve by then. Yet i am afraid that sinc ei had laser and have very sensitive skin due to using other products, i might break out all my life. Please don't do, its not worth damaging your face and self esteem. Also,
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June 20, 2009

Pros:

None as yet!

Cons:

The cost! Quiet expensive! Seen no improvements yet but time will tell!

I was told I wouldn't c improvements straight away! They were pretty truthful about the procedure! I would b prone to outbreaks after every session of NLite & thats whats happend! I have had 2 sessions so far & still experiencing spots! U just have to b patient which is really hard when u just want to c results straight away! Going 4 my last session on saturday so time will tel! I may not c improvements 4 a few wks yet!!! Fingers crossed my skin will clear soon!
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May 1, 2009

Pros:

Some improvement in forehead lines, lightening of a few freckles

Cons:

Procedure was much more painful than advertised - down time longer than advertised - saw no difference in lines around eyes.
Broke out in zits from the thick Aquafor dressing.

Skin looks slight fresher but overall not worth it.
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June 5, 2011

Pros:

Smoother skin, gets rid of acne.

Cons:

This is not a long term solution.
Leaves the skin irritated and red for a few hours/days depending on how sensitive or how bad your acne is.
Very expensive.

I had had acne on my face for around five years during which time the acne had progressively got worse until it covered all of my face except some parts of my forehead. The spots seemed to grow on top of each other making my skin extremely painful to live with. I leaned about the N-Lite treatment watching television and thought I would try it considering by that time I had tried everything the Doctors could throw at me (creams, lotions, tablets etc, etc, etc...). I went to a very nice clinic in Nottingham. I was told for the N-Lite to take full effect I would have to have many treatments, so I booked in bulk. I think it was by the third treatment that I noticed a difference. The spots were still there, especially on my cheeks which was the worst area, but they were not as bad. There were definitely no results after the first time. After a few more treatments, the spots on my chin had gone and my skin was so much smoother. I felt better in myself and had more confidence. Anyway, the bottom line with N-Lite is that it's great when you are having the treatments constantly but as soon as you stop them the acne will come back. You only treat the external problems with this treatment and not the inner ones. Also, the scars left behind by the acne will still be there meaning that the clinic will say that you need another type of treatment to get rid of the scars. More money. I still have spots on my cheeks and chin but the harsh acne has gone. It seems like the treatment lulled me into a false sense of security and to be honest the whole thing was so costly that I'm not sure it was worth it. Now I know that it would have been better to be learning other kinder ways to help my skin rather than taking the quick and short term solution.
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April 6, 2009

Pros:

- redness disapered completely
- i had like 20 % the acne i had
- acne keeps getting better and better.

Cons:

the laser hurts like hell :)

i made my 4th treatment 2 weeks ago, this treament it's suppost be done 4 in 4 weeks, or so, so the skin cells can heal from the internal burn. I started four monts ago, its rewarding. i started to see results in the second or 3 mont. Every mont i see less pimples appearing, In the next monts my acne will be gone, i am sure of that. OBS: its kind funny... cuz my skin still super oiled!! how does this happen? the treatement is to make ur oil glands produce more oil, but i still have the face oiled. This kind makes me wonder?! since the acne gets better and better but the skin still super oiled.
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November 23, 2008

Cons:

Down time has been over a week, where my doctor stated I could return to work in 3 to 4 days, Not. Have one more week off work, not sure what to do after that. Red/burning/smell/pimp's/ pain... not worth the money or the time so far.

Don't do this.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.