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
June 10, 2008
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.
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!
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.
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!
November 12, 2008
Pros:
None so far.
Cons:
Red lines, dark skin around my mouth, ACNE break out!
I had some wrinkles and age spots I had hoped to diminish. The age spots have not faded at all (today is day 5), I have HUGE zits on my chin from the petrolatum goo I have to use to keep my skin hydrated, I have red spots and am still swollen and I was supposed to go back to work today but I just couldn't go out looking like this. Five nightmare days so far-it was a laser micropeel-it was supposed to heal over 3-4 days. If I'm stuck looking like this I don't know what I'll do. My doctor is on a vacation in the mountains and can't be reached! PLEASE CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES. I had very nice healthy skin!
November 10, 2008
Pros:
Works but only as maintenance. Not permanent resolution.
Cons:
Expensive for treatments.
I am a nurse in Ontario who performs this procedure in a Dr.s Clinic. I want everyone to understand that from what I have experienced with my patients is that the smoothbeam works as long as your always doing it. As soon as my patients stop this treatment for any certain length of time their acne always comes back. I would consider this treatment, but it seems to be working as a ACNE MAINTENANCE and NOT a cure. I find it to be expensive for maintenance and personally wouldn't recommend it. Some of my patients love this treatment, but agree they have to always do it or their acne will come back. If you have the money to use this treatment as maintenance then go for it, but there are better solutions such as Clear Light, and or Accutane. Accuaten isn't as bad as some of ths stuff I have read. I know, I deal with people on it everyday. Worst Side effect usually is dry craked lips.
April 20, 2009
Pros:
cleared up some scarring but very little
Cons:
everything
I had the nlite with the glycolic peel. I had to go and visit them for my sessions once every week or 2. My acne only affected my forehead which was'nt alot. After my 6 course was finished i saw no improvements! come on i didn't even have alot and they could'nt even get rid of them!!! So i stopped going since it wasn't working for me after i stopped i started to break out like mad! I get really painful spots now and its not just only on my forehead any more its now my cheeks and my chin. I am so upset and angry with them. I went to the private clinic in harley street. I plan to try selfridges in oxford street since my face has gone so bad i'm very desprately looking for help. I am going to give the Nlite a 2nd chance and i am really hoping it will work. wish me luck
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.
October 10, 2006
Pros:
Clearer skin, less oil, no more special/expensive/high-maintenance prescriptions.
Cons:
Even with the cream they apply before, the actual process is painful. But, you got to suck it up. It is just 15 minutes. It just like working out--the process sucks but the results are worth it.
An occassional small pimple.
Here's my experience: 1st Treatment: I was very frustrated with results. My skin was immediately red and blotchy for a day following the treatment. Overall, I saw little difference in my skin. I didn't want to go back. 2nd Treatment: One month later, I went for the second treatment. Days after, I noticed a difference in my skin. I was less oily and my breakouts were less frequent and the pimples much smaller. 3rd/4th Treatment: I was completely impressed after these treatments. After three treatments, the manner in which I had to care for my skin completely changed: Before, I had to wash my face twice a day with Brevoxyl and apply a special cream for the day and one for night just to avoid waking up with new (often cystic) zits on my face. I remember feeling paranoid if I forgot to wash my face before bedtime. Now, I wash my face with a cheap Neutrogena soap & apply Clearasil and that's all I need to stay clear. The $1000 far beats the endless $$
May 28, 2013
Pros:
no side effects
Cons:
did not work
did 6 treatments hoping it was going to cure my acne. just waisted my money . I did not had any side effects like some of the people have commented on. it just didn't work never made my acne better stayed the same . the only thing it did was made my face less oily . but for $300.00 a treatment I expected more than just giving me a less oily face ..
Pros:
firmer skin, fewer wrinkles on forehead