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
September 22, 2010

Pros:

It actually worked - 6 months completely spot free!!

Cons:

Short term & costly! The Private Clinic are also usless.

I attended The Private Clinic in Manchester for 3 treatments, each time I asked that they increase the strength of the laser. The treatment isn't painful, but it is uncomfortable - feels a little like a pin being run over your face. Acne flares up after treatment but it is worth it! One month after my final laser-ing and I had clear skin. I have had the best 6/7 months - I haven't used any acne treatments and my skin stayed perfect. The only problem is that it has now come back :( and I need to find another £850 to fix it or find another treatment. I would recommend this treatment if you've tried all the medication and you've reached the end of the line with your useless GP who asks you why you're so bothered about 'a few spots'. I was 22 when I had the treatment and it was worth it! If you can find any other provider than The Private Clinic that offers N-Lite in the UK, go elsewhere! They were a complete sham. I won't go into detail but let's say that I attended the clinic 4 times in all, they never had my appointment correctly booked, the door was always faulty, and all in all I think I spent 2 hours waiting to be seen!!! And last but not least, don't waste extra money on the products they sell you - total waste of time!
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November 23, 2009

Pros:

5% improvement from the first treament.

Cons:

Nothing negative to say about it so far because Ive only had one treatment.

I will post a final review after all my treatments are done, but here is what I can say for now: I reall thought my face was going to be red after the first treament but no, no redness whatsoever. I did have minor swelling though, but that disappeared after 3 hours. I did see a minor improvement right after the treatment and I cant wait until Im done with all treatments.
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August 25, 2008

Pros:

- Removes 20% of redness
- Does not hurt
- Take very little time

Cons:

- Face red for first few hours after treatment
- Expensive and requires multiple treatment
- Do not expect a clear face

It is worth to try because each people have different reaction to the laser. My results were okay but not as expected. Some parts of my face are still red but not as red before the treatment. Some red spots just dissapear. Looking forward to doing my second treatment.
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September 5, 2009

Pros:

Clear beautiful skin with no long term side effects
Diminshed lines and wrinkles
Not covered under my medical insurance but an eligible expense under a FSA or Medical Saving Account with letter of medical necessity from your doctor

Cons:

Cost ($300.00/treatment)
Pain and swelling , increasing as intensity is increased.
Can cause hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones - I am a fair skinned blonde so I haven't experienced that side effect

I LOVE this treatment! I am 46 years old & had severe acne as long as I can remember. I went to an old school derm that had me on various antibiotics for around 5 years with mixed results - one would stop working & then it was on to the next. I finally changed doctor. I started with Accutane, but I only got thru 50% of the treatment & had to stop due to severe dry eyes. My doctor then suggested Smoothbeam. I have had 6 treatments so far & have not had a breakout in months! The first treatment was a walk in the park - used a mild numbing cream & didn't feel anything - no big deal I thought. However, as the strength was increased I experienced increased redness & swelling. The tech ices my face during the treatment & I now ice it for a day or 2. Yes, it's extremely painful - I am now using superstrength numbing cream.But I am off medication for the 1st time in years and my skin has never ever been better. I will continue this on a maintenance basis - every 3 mths.
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July 30, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my skin after several sessions, and reduced red marks left by acne.

Cons:

a tiny bit painful (not as painful as smoothbeam), expensive

I had this in conjunction with Smoothbeam treatments, so I can't say for sure if the V-Beam alone would be helpful. The doctor first did a Smoothbeam treatment and then about 10 minutes later did a V-Beam treatment on the areas that were red. I do believe it helped with the hyperpigmentation left by acne.
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July 14, 2010

Pros:

Clear up active acne andd improve skin texture. Minimal side effects. I have had acne for 15+ years, and have tried numerous treatments including Accutane and other laser treatments, this is the only laser treatment that cleared up my acne.(Accutane worked too, but the side effects are too much).

Cons:

A bit pricey, and you do need to go to a doctor's office to get it done.(I drove 100 mile every 2 weeks for this treatment). Skin will be a bit dry and sensitive after the treatment, but putting on some B5 gel solved the problem in my case. I got some red marks after the treatment, but they faded in 4 to 5 days. I do get a flare of break out right after the treatment,but then my skin get cleared up. It takes several treatment to see results, so be patient.

It does work! Result will show gradually. I just finished my 4th treatment, and my skin cleared up almost completely.(only 1 zit left, I used to have at least 20 zits in average). I will post another review when I finish my 6th treatment.
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September 10, 2009

Pros:

Amazing results. Had it done to remove fine lines, some wrinkles, some sun freckles and sun damage. I got all of that and more.
Skin is so smooth and fresh.

Cons:

It was a solid 9 days of down time and at 4 weeks of healing, I am still a bit red. All of this is exactly what I expected.

Erbium laser is extremely technique sensitive and if you have an excellent doctor perform the procedure and do the pre and post treatment instructions exactly as they suggest, it should go well. I had a fabulous doctor who continue to do a lot of follow up to make sure I am healing the way I should be. Do your homework and be an informed patient.
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September 29, 2009

Pros:

After suffering for 6 years i had 6 months of treatment and have no acne and much smaller scars

Cons:

you have to be preparred to perservere with treatment, dont expect to have one treatment and be clear. I have had about 10 treatments over a year to see such good results although it began to clear after about 4

Im not trying to sell this so will say it how it is...If you dont mind spending the money and are prepared to continue with this for at least 6 months then it worked for me. For the first 2 or 3 treatments i didnt notice much difference but after that each treatment helped a little more. After about 10 treatments over a year i have clear skin apart from the odd small pimple once or twice a month and it has been 9 months since my last treatment.
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December 3, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Waste of money. Acne flared up.

I would not recommend. I have had 4 treatments.
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May 2, 2010

Pros:

Works but you have to be patient-usually after the 3rd fourth treatment you start breaking out less

Cons:

You have to be fine with being a little sensitive for a week after treatment--maybe a blister or two but so worth it.

It's not cheap but it works for my non inflammatory acne
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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.