Lasers

Phototherapy
Compare To Other Treatments

The following side effects are expected during the laser treatment course. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe and/or do not go away:

How Common (based on clinical studies)

Mild rednessUp to 100% of all users
SwellingUp to 100% of all users
PainUp to 100% of all users
Flare-up of pustular lesionsUp to 33.3% of all users
Pigmentary changesUp to 16.7% of all users
Flare-up of papular lesionsUp to 12.5% of all users
BlistersUp to 4.3% of all users
VesiclesUp to 3.7% of all users
PurpuraUp to 2.4% of all users
Itching Up to 2.4% of all users
Dryness of skinUp to 2.4% of all users
Dryness of lipsUp to 2.4% of all users
Watery eyeUp to 2.4% of all users

Laser treatment may also cause other side effects that are not mentioned here. Contact your doctor if you experience any other troublesome symptoms after laser treatment.

References
  1. Bernstein EF. A pilot investigation comparing low-energy, double pass 1,450 nm laser treatment of acne to conventional single-pass, high-energy treatment. Lasers Surg Med. 39(2), 193-8 (2007). 
  2. Bernstein EF. Double-pass, low-fluence laser treatment using a large spot-size 1,450 nm laser improves acne. Lasers Surg Med. 41(2), 116-21 (2009). 
  3. Haedersdal M, Togsverd-Bo K, Wiegell SR, Wulf HC. Long-pulsed dye laser versus long-pulsed dye laser-assisted photodynamic therapy for acne vulgaris: A randomized controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 58(3), 387-94 (2008).
  4. Kwon HH, Choi SC, Jung JY, Bae YI, Park GH. Comparison of novel dual mode vs conventional single pass of a 1450-nm diode laser in the treatment of acne vulgaris for Korean patients: A 20-week prospective, randomized, split-face study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 17(6), 1063-68 (2018)
  5. Lekwuttikarn R, Tempark T, Chatproedprai S, Wananukul S. Randomized, controlled trial split-faced study of 595-nm pulsed dye laser in the treatment of acne vulgaris and acne erythema in adolescents and early adulthood. Int J Dermatol. 56(8), 884-8 (2017).
  6. Moneib H, Tawfik AA, Youssef SS, Fawzy MM. Randomized split-face controlled study to evaluate 1550-nm fractionated erbium glass laser for treatment of acne vulgaris–an image analysis evaluation. Dermatol Surg. 40(11), 1191-200 (2014). 
  7. Orringer JS, Kang S, Maier L, Johnson TM, Sachs DL, Karimipour DJ, Helfrich YR, Hamilton T, Voorhees JJ. A randomized, controlled, split-face clinical trial of 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 56(3),432-8 (2007). 
  8. Seaton ED, Charakida A, Mouser PE, Grace I, Clement RM, Chu AC. Pulsed-dye laser treatment for inflammatory acne vulgaris: randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 362(9393), 1347-52 (2003). 
  9. Voravutinon N, Rojanamatin J, Sadhwani D, Iyengar S, Alam M. A Comparative Split-Face Study Using Different Mild Purpuric and Subpurpuric Fluence Level of 595-nm Pulsed-Dye Laser for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris. Dermatol Surg 42(3), 403-9 (2016). 
  10. Wang SQ, Counters JT, Flor ME, Zelickson BD. Treatment of inflammatory facial acne with the 1,450 nm diode laser alone versus microdermabrasion plus the 1,450 nm laser: a randomized, split-face trial. Dermatol Surg. 32(2), 249-55; discussion 255 (2006).
  11. Yeung CK, Shek SY, Yu CS, Kono T, Chan HH. Treatment of inflammatory facial acne with 1,450-nm diode laser in type IV to V Asian skin using an optimal combination of laser parameters. Dermatol Surg. 35(4), 593-600 (2009). 
  12. Jung JY, Choi YS, Yoon MY, Min SU, Suh DH. Comparison of a pulsed dye laser and a combined 585/1,064-nm laser in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Dermatol Surg. 35(8), 1181-7 (2009). 
  13. Konishi N, Endo H, Oiso N, Kawara S, Kawada A. Acne phototherapy with a 1450-nm diode laser: an open study. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 3(1), 205-9 (2007).
  14. Uebelhoer NS, Bogle MA, Dover JS, Arndt KA, Rohrer TE. Comparison of stacked pulses versus double-pass treatments of facial acne with a 1,450-nm laser. Dermatol Surg. 33(5), 552-9 (2007).
  15. Scopelliti MG, Kothare A, Karavitis M. A novel 1726-nm laser system for safe and effective treatment of acne vulgaris. Lasers Med Sci. 37(9), 3639-47 (2022).
  16. Bittar J, Hooper P, Dover JS. 1726 nm Lasers for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris. Skin Therapy Lett. 29(1), 5-7 (2024).

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