Acne Blemish Laser Treatment

Acne blemish laser treatment can be a boon for individuals who have suffered severe acne. Acne blemish laser treatment (also known as intense pulsed light blemish treatment) can be a highly effective way to remove acne blemishes and scarring from all over the body, though typically the treatment will be focussed on the more visible body areas such as the face and neck.

What is Acne Blemish Laser Treatment?

Acne blemish laser treatment is an intense light beam procedure which targets areas of the skin affected by acne scarring. The laser light beam attacks the scar or acne blemish, penetrating the superficial skin layer, literally burning it off in the process. The result of acne blemish laser treatment is the promotion of new skin growth beneath the acne blemish, so that when the treatment is finished (and the treated area healed) the acne blemish or scarring is less visible.

Varieties of Acne Blemish Laser Treatment

There are several different varieties of acne blemish laser treatment. In general, ablative and non-ablative lasers are used.

Ablative Acne Blemish Laser Treatment

Ablative laser treatment can make a major difference in the appearance of svere acne blemishes or scarring. Unfortunately ablative acne blemish laser treatment can have major contra-idications such as swelling, scabbing, bleeding irritation, redness and long term discoloration and even scarring.

Non-Ablative Acne Blemish Laser Treatment

Non-ablative acne blemish laser treatment does not carry the same risks or side effects as with the use of ablative lasers. Conversely, they generally do not produce the same degree of improvement as ablative laser treatment and require many more treatment sessions in order to produce a visible outcome. The main benefit of Non-ablative acne blemish laser treatment though is the fact that time off of work is usually not required, indeed it can be performed during a lunch break with the patient returning in the afternoon: albeit with some make up to cover any noticeable redness.

See our earlier article entitled Laser Acne Treatment for a more detailed description about the types of laser treatment available.

The Side Effects of Acne Blemish Laser Treatment

Acne blemish skin treatment will last between 1-3 months according to the type of laser used. This may comprise of as little as one single session to as many as three depending on the type of acne blemish laser treatment or type of laser usedMost varieties of acne blemish laser treatment therapy will immediately result in skin redness which can last for several weeks. There may also be some discomfort or skin irritation. The improvements of acne blemish laser treatment may not be seen until twelve months after the therapy has finished when the treated area has fully healed.

Effectiveness of Acne Blemish Laser Treatment

The effectiveness and success of any acne blemish laser treatment is largely dependent upon the type of skin treated and the extent and severity of the acne blemish or scarring. Indeed, laser treatment for acne blemishes may not actually be suitable for people with brown or black skin as it can cause uneven coloration or even loss of colour. As a footnote, it is not uncommon for acne blemish laser treatment to occur in tandem with other types of acne blemish therapies such as topical cream applications.