Effective treatments:
- PDT (Photodynamic Therapy)
- V Beam
- IPL (Intense Pulse Light)
Laser Treatment for Acne Scar Removal
Laser treatments are an effective way to treat your acne. This gentle, safe treatment uses a laser to target overactive sebaceous glands in your skin - the root cause of acne. Medical lasers such as Smoothbeam or Fraxel laser are safe and have been used for over 20 years to treat many medical conditions.
The laser light penetrates to a depth in the skin where the sebaceous glands are found and causes enough injury to stop the over production of sebum, thereby eliminating the acne. The outer skin is protected by a cooling spray and is not damaged during the treatment. This means there is no down time for the patient. Side effects are quite minimal and may include slight and temporary redness or swelling lasting a few hours to a few days or, in rare cases, a temporary pigmentation change.
Laser treatments can also be used to treat deep acne scars. Because collagen is at the same depth in skin as sebaceous glands, and is comprised of mostly water, it is also a target of the laser. The slight dermal injury caused by the laser light stimulates the production and deposition of newly organized collagen beneath the skin resulting in significant improvement in the appearance of these scars.
Most patients can continue the use of their current acne treatments and skin regimens while undergoing laser treatments.
PDT For Acne Treatment
Severe acne can sometimes require high-power treatments. There is a procedure that treats active and resistant acne that combines a special light-activated solution that targets and destroys acne activity. This treatment can also diminish older acne scars, leaving your skin with a much smoother appearance. The procedure is called Photo Dynamic Therapy.
Photodynamic Acne Treatment (PDT) is a process by which a photosensitizing agent is applied to your skin. A photosensitizing agent is a special solution applied to the skin that is activated by a specific wavelength of light. Photosensitizing agents have been used extensively for the treatment of a variety of different skin conditions.
Levulan is a 20% solution of Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA). ALA is a natural product found in all humans throughout the body. It is a precursor for hemoglobin synthesis.
PDT-ALA is a procedure that can significantly improve moderate to severe acne, including cystic acne. Prior to Photodynamic Acne Treatment, the best available treatment option for resistant and cystic acne was Accutane. However, with Accutane there are many systemic side effects including birth defects, liver abnormalities, mood depression, and virtually all patients get dryness and night vision changes.
PDT Acne Treatment provides a viable alternative to Accutane as there are no systemic effects. Three to five treatments are advisable at two to three week intervals to obtain optimal results.
Additional benefits of ALA PDT may include:
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Improvement of sun damage and brown spots
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Some improvement of fine lines and wrinkles
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Improvement of uneven skin pigmentation
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Slight reduction in pore size
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Slight improvement of Rosacea bumps
