Lasers
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Side Effects

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

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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.

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2.9
229
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
15.3%
4
21%
3
19.7%
2
21.8%
1
22.3%

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December 22, 2007

Pros:

My skins is in really nice and fairly wrinkle free for someone 62. It could possibly be from the different treatments I had done, ie photo rejuv (did remove most brown spot, yag, and 2 fraxel treatments. But my skin was nice to begin with.

Cons:

Yag a waste of money. Fraxel disappointed in results with fine lines around eyes and mouth. Recovery longer and more painful than advertised

It seems to make more sense to do one tratment with a heavy duty laser like the co2and do one recovery than 5 treatments and 5 recoveries.
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August 13, 2007

Pros:

when i was actually on the treatment, it seemed to work and there was no down time at all.

Cons:

now, about 5 months later, my acne's back like nothing ever happened.

my doctor probably wasn't the best, and i'm pretty sure i got ripped off bigtime. sit down if you're not already - the way my doctor charged me was 1,000 dollars per treatment ("as part of the procedure, i always do a microdermabrasion before") and i was charged for a numbing cream that i had to use or he wouldn't do the treatment on me. after my fifth of six treatments, he finally "remembered" to say "sometimes, when people don't get as many treatments as they need, it comes back" and apparently that was the case for me. make your doctor isn't a conniving piece of crap before you commit to this.
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August 1, 2007

Pros:

None. Had it done in 2003 and no improvement whatsoever.

Cons:

I developed severe cystic acne afterwards. Then the doctor injected too strong a solution of cortisone in a giant cyst near my mouth, and as a result, ended up with a permanent dent. Downtown is about one month. No improvement, skin looks worse.

Improvement is little or none. Expensive procedure and devastating once you see no improvement like I did. My skin now has an orange peel texture and scars are more noticeable than before. If you wear glasses/contacts, you will need somebody to help you for the first couple weeks with the change of bandages, etc because you can't wear them. At the time I did this, I could not find testimonials like now. Had I been able to, I would have NOT had this procedure done. I look so bad that the doctor never even took my "after" photo.
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March 6, 2007

Pros:

I love this laser!!! I udnerstand it does not work for some people, but I am about a week and a half out from my first treatment and my acne has dramatically diminshed just during that time period.....as my sebaceous glands were apparantley very wel

Cons:

Very Expensive(I am paying $850 w/numbing agents for 4 rounds), buut really not that painful at all, more annoying, with the numbing cream.

This is a fantastic system that worked really well for me in the first treatment alone. I am so exicted about the next ttreatment. i experienced 0 discoloration, pain or discomfort, just some reddening for about 2 hours afer the procedure. it was easy, fast, and effective!!!
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December 4, 2006
I had my second treatment of SB 3 days ago. After my first treatment I noticed a difference in my acne and acne scarring although it was only a slight difference. This is my 7th laser treatment overall. I had 5 treatments with a diff. kind of laser before I did the SB. I have noticed that with both types that the days after treatment my face was much clearer. This last SB treatment that I had actually resulted in what looks like small oval blisters which seem to have turned into scabs. I also developed small whiteheads around my lower lip. I had my treatment on Friday afternoon and live 2 hours from where I get my treatments at so as a result I am unable to contact my dermatoligist in regards to this matter since it is the weekend. As far as pain goes my derm puts a topical pain reliever on my skin 1 hour before treatment and also offers patients the option of oral pain relievers. So I find the pain very tolerable.
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October 16, 2014
waste of money
I tried this treatment in West London, I found it expensive and completely useless.
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February 10, 2008

Pros:

improves skin tone, reduces pores, long time effect

Cons:

does not eliminate breakouts

I had 4 treatments in combo with V beam, last one occured 3 weeks ago, and I continue seeing a general improvement of my skin tone. My skin was so much damaged by dozen of oral/topical cures such as accutane that I had no hope any more to recover. Now I feel pretty much better, and I plan to comer over my derm within 6 months.
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February 10, 2008

Pros:

After just two treatments my skin cleared up for almost a year. It also firmed up my skin and softened fine lines so I looked a bit younger, so I was told. My skin looked and felt great.

Cons:

Expensive! I paid $300 a treatment at a high end Santa Monica Derm. Office. I should have continued with the treatments because now I have to start all over again. My skin has become excessively oily again and the break outs are flaring up.

It works better than any of the other treatments that I have tried, but I will probably have to have treatments every so often for the rest of my life to maintain clear skin. I don't think that it cures acne, but is a very effective temporary treatment. If the price were to come down a bit I probably would be treated more often in spite of the pain.
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January 19, 2008

Pros:

Brown age spots are much lighter.

Cons:

Expensive. Texture of skin looks worse. Crepe paper. New wrinkles around mouth and eyes that weren't there before.

Paid for 4 treatments for a total of $3400. I've done two, and I don't think I'm going to finish the other two, because I think it's making the wrinkles and texture of skin worse.
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November 20, 2007

Pros:

It has kept my skin clear about 90%. I now only get about 1-2 breakouts during the time of the month compared to consistent breakouts before when i would get about 10-20 pimples on my face at one time.

Cons:

It is painful and don't expect this to work for red marks or scars.

It has worked for me with 3 treatments. My last treatment was a little over 2 months ago. However, I must point out that when I got my first treatment, I decided to begin taking b5 pills again to help with the clearing up of my skin and I felt it would speed up results from my smoothbeam treatments(No, b5 pills did not clear up my skin when taking it alone without smoothbeam). In addition to the 3 smoothbeam treatments I've had, I still take b5 pills at a smaller dose per day and my face is still clear. My doctor charged $150.00 per treatment and do feel it was worth it. My next goal is to get the Vbeam treatments for my red marks from the same doctor at the same price per treatment.
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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.
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