The Most Promising New Acne Treatments

Because many of the existing treatments andPropionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacteria
remedies for acne are very effective, somemaythat causes inflammation. Laser acnetreatment
conclude that new types of acne treatments arealso stimulates the growth of collagen, which can
not necessary. While existingtreatments usuallybe described as thesupporting structure of the
work very well for people with milder forms ofskin. When collagen growth is stimulated, the
acne, people withchronic outbreaks of moderateappearance ofacne scars is softened.
to severe acne may need to have other optionsIf you choose laser acne treatment, you can
available tothem. Laser acne treatment and lightexpect to your dermatologist to make four orfive
therapy are two of the more promising newappointments for you. They will be scheduled two
acnetreatments that dermatologists are beginningweeks apart. He or she may alsoschedule some
to use on a more frequent basis, especiallyonfollow-up treatments every four to six months.
patients whose acne is severe enough to causeLaser acne treatment canbe applied to your face,
scarring.neck, back, and chest. If you choose to treat
Before explaining how laser acne treatmentyour face, a singleprocedure will take anywhere
works, it is important to know what causesacnefrom 5 to 20 minutes. It takes longer to treat
in the first place. Your skin contains hair follicles,large areassuch as your back. Because laser acne
which are connected to sebaceousglands. Thesetreatment is usually not painful, your
sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance,dermatologistwill not need to give you any type
sebum, that lubricates the hairand surrounding skin.of anesthesia. Your skin is cooled during
Under normal circumstances, sebum travels uptheprocedure, so it may feel as if someone is
the hair shaft andcomes out through the openingpressing an ice cube on the area being treated.
of the hair follicle onto the surface of your skin.Some people receiving the treatment may
Whenyou produce an excessive amount ofexperience a mild tingling or stingingsensation.
sebum, which is very common during puberty,The results of laser acne treatment are gradual,
itaccumulates in the hair follicle with dead skin cellsso you will generally not see any changesuntil
and turns into a plug. If this plugcontinues to grow,after the second or third treatment. Laser acne
the follicle wall will rupture and more oil and skintreatment is also considered to besafe. One of
cells willaccumulate, forming a pimple. Bacteria canthe most common side effects is a slight
make acne worse, as it can triggerreddening of the skin, which goesaway relatively
additionalinflammation and infections.quickly. While it is rare, you may experience some
Laser acne treatment used in conjunction withdarkening orlightening of your skin. To prevent
other acne treatments works by reducingoilthese effects, you dermatologist will recommend
production, accelerating the removal of dead skinthatyou avoid sunlight by applying sunscreen and
cells and the growth of new skincells, andwearing a hat. In addition to laser acnetreatment,
eliminating bacteria. Because it is able to reach intoyour dermatologist may recommend combining it
the deeper layers of skinsuch as the dermiswith other treatments thatimprove the surface
without damaging its outer surface, laser acneappearance of your skin, such as
treatment and light-based therapies are able tomicrodermabrasion.
damage sebaceous glands, which causes them toDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes
produce lessof the oil that forms plugs. Laseronly, and is not meant to serve asmedical advice.
acne treatment and light-based therapies can alsoFor medical advice, please consult your doctor.
target