Lasers
Results
Side Effects

Laser therapy is thought to work by inhibiting the activity of skin oil (sebaceous) glands, killing acne bacteria, and reducing inflammation.

...

Laser therapy is thought to work by inhibiting the activity of skin oil (sebaceous) glands, killing acne bacteria, and reducing inflammation.

It is usually performed about 5 times in 2 to 4-week intervals.

 [more]
2.9
229
Read All About Lasers
Compare To Other Treatments
5
15.3%
4
21%
3
19.7%
2
21.8%
1
22.3%

Used Lasers? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
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,
This Was Helpful

18 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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!
This Was Helpful

17 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

16 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

15 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

15 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

14 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 10, 2008

Pros:

firmer skin, fewer wrinkles on forehead

Cons:

horrible, disfiguring swelling, longer down time. Now have cystic acne and red lines on face.

Highly overrated. Was initially going to have IPL to remove some "age" spots and sun damage. Was told I was a great candidate and for the same money, could have Active fx, which would give better and faster results. Was told to expect a "bad sunburn" and after a couple of days, the skin would "flake off." My face was so swollen that my friends did not recognize me. I also go an eye infection. My face oozed and was horribly painful for 3 days. When the scabbing came off my chin, it exposed pockets of pus. I have never seen anything like it. I was immediately put on anitbiotics. I now have cystic acne and have funny red lines on the side of my face. The doctor and staff at the medspa have been nice, but at the last visit I felt dismissed.
This Was Helpful

13 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 5, 2011

Pros:

Spots are greatly reduced in size
Comfortable treatment and you can re-apply make up after! No negative side effects.

Cons:

Just had my second treatment and my skin has flared up.

I've booked three N-lite treatments. My acne is localised to my chin area and this is the area I am having treated. For the month after my first treatment, my skin seemed much calmer. I didn't have a single big spot! I got my usual monthly flare up but it really wasn't too bad. Just had my second treatment and more spots have come to the surface than usual. It's getting me down, but I'm hoping skin will eventually be better after my third treatment. The lady who does my treatments did explain that its not a quick fix- it takes several months. I'm also using a glycolic based wash and skin lotion. This seems to be helping to. I'm 24 and have tried and tried to get rid of my mild to moderate acne for years. I'm hoping this is the solution!
This Was Helpful

12 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 26, 2009

Pros:

It works it really does Use RetinA as well and you should be golden

Cons:

It takes repeated treatment and it costs an average of 600 per session So it can get expensive

I would recommend this treatment to all, especially if you have tried other methods with little to any results. The laser heats up the skin beneath the surface resulting in killing of bacteria and shrinking of oil glands. I could really see in the future that the laser treatment will replace the once convential methods of treating acne. Convential methods may or may not work but they certainly will not deal with scarring and the red marks, wheras smoothbeam corrects these problems as well. My only wish was they had this technology 15 years ago when I was in highschool. My advice... If you are someone that is sufferring or if you have kids that are suffering, get them the treatment. It is expensive, but it could really change their life. Hopefully one day insurance will cover this miracle treatment.
This Was Helpful

12 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 21, 2015
Laser resurfacing
I just had laser resurfacing done 5 days ago and had high hopes. They told me to use Cetaphil and aquaphor while my face healed, unfortunately my face severly broke out more than it ever has my entire life. I'm pretty sure it's from using the aquaphor, I wish my Dr had advised me to use something more acne friendly. He put me on antibiotics now which I'm hoping will help but the damage is already done. I just want to warn anyone interested in doing this, wait until your acne is cleared up!!! And don't use aquaphor, do your research!
This Was Helpful

11 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 22
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website