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
March 29, 2007
Cons:
It is very expensive. It has also exasperated my acne. I am getting more cystic acne now.
I am a bit frustrated with the procedure. I have spent so much money on procedures over my life time to try to "cure" my acne and nothing has worked. I am 38 years old and still break out! I am hoping after the third or fourth time, I will notice a difference in oiliness, and cystic break outs. I will definately write back after my third treatment and update my opinion.
February 11, 2007
Pros:
Quick?
Cons:
Expensive, slightly painful
I had my first treatment two weeks ago and have not seen any results. I instead have been breaking out even more. She concentrated on my chin since that is my "problem area" and that is where I am breaking out. And it is a pretty bad breakout too. But you "aren't suppose to see results until after your thrid treamtment" so I am keeping that in mind. I am hoping this is a treamtment where it "gets worse before it gets better." I will be sure to update after the second treamtent. I paid for three treatments and a chemical peel for $675. As far as pain goes, I applied the numbing cream ($50) an hour before, then a half hour before. This helped because it probably would be pretty painful without that. My doctor also used an icepack. The pain was no big deal if you have a tolerance for it. No changes where made in my skin - no extra redness, scarring, nothing. I look exactly the time, if not worse.
January 26, 2007
Pros:
My skin felt and looked better for a while.
I had breakouts after N-lite, but they went away faster, they sort of dried up. Plus the pimples and papules were much smaller.
At least it didn't make my skin worse.
Cons:
The results were quite good, but they didn't last as long as I was promised (6 months or longer) - my skin stayed quite clear only about two weeks and then I started having breakouts again after every treatment.
Altogether I took three treatments, because that's what the staff recommended. After the third treatment they wanted me to have another one. I'm still wondering what to do. I'm not sure if N-Lite is the best option, if you think about how much it costs and the poor results that you get from spending so much money. At times the clinic staff seemed to only care about money and they knew how desperate I was. After the first appointment they promised that next time will be cheaper, but they lied. I could not refuse to pay, because I had had the treatment done already and I was too nervous to say anything. But maybe I should take the fourth treatment to see if the results would last, before saying N-lite is all lies. Yet another BUT, when I first mett the staff "the magic word" was three. They promised that after three treatments my skin will be clear but now the number has changed to four and I bett after that it will be five and so on...
January 25, 2007
Pros:
Well its only been my first treatment. I just had it done at 3pm. So its been a few hrs. My face hurts and has hyperpigmentation. Really bad too. I really hope thats goes away. I am paying $250.00 for each session and thats w/microdermabrastion
Cons:
It does hurt. Brace yourself. Hold on to something. Make sure you get the numbing creme. Its $70.00 but it is so worth every penny.
Its only my first time, so I'm paranoide thats its not going to work. Make sure you have an experienced doctor doing this. I will write back.
January 25, 2007
Pros:
Seems to reduce oil production
Cons:
LEFT ME WITH BROWN HALF MOON MARKS ALL OVER MY FACE! They are so dark that I cannot cover them up with make up.
Heed the warnings you see here. I read them and thought that I wouldn't be one of the few who get hyperpigmentation from the treatment. It has been a month since my treatment and my brown marks have gotten darker, despite my use of 55 sunblock, hydroquinone, and microdermabrasions. I cry every day over this and wish that I had been patient enough to do a test spot and then wait two weeks to see how much damage it would do.
January 14, 2007
Pros:
None it has ruined my face
Cons:
scarring, burning, bruising, horrendous acne, sensitive skin, skin peeling
I started getting acne when I was 10. I tried everything and nothing worked so I decided to try the N-lite at Hammersmith Hospital. After the first treatment my skin was awful and it has stayed bad ever since.
Before I went for the laser i had about 3 medium and 1 huge spots per week and had a few scars on my cheeks and chin. I have now had 3 laser treatments (each 2 months apart) and I am now getting at least 3 medium and 1 huge spots a day!
They say that a week after the laser you are supposed to get a breakout and then its supposed to clear up until a couple of months later when the laser wears off. I get the breakout a week after the laser but then my skin doesnt get any better.
Not only this but it has made my skin so unbelievably sensitive. I can now only use soap and water on my face and have to moisturise about 3 times a day or i feel like my skin is burning and it all flakes off.
This treatment is the most barbaric thing ever!!!
Pros:
I have not noticed many pros but then I may be too early to judge as I have only had two so far. Not that painful and no downtime.