Laser and Light Treatments for Acne

Laser and light treatments for acne are very successful in helping patients achieve a beautiful complexion.

Laser Treatments for Acne

The Isolaz® laser acne treatment is an exciting and painless in-office acne treatment. Isolaz® is an FDA-cleared procedure used to clear out the pores and kill the P. acnes bacteria, leading to acne breakouts.

There are two components to the Isolaz® treatment, a gentle suction that cleans your pores and a light that simultaneously destroys the P. acnes bacteria. In a 2008 clinical study, researchers noted that acne continually improved for 3 months after a series of Isolaz® treatments.

That same study showed a decrease in both inflammatory (pimples) and non-inflammatory (blackheads and whiteheads) acne and reported an 82% satisfaction rate (moderate to very satisfied). Isolaz® is also very effective at treating acne on the back and chest.

Safety of Isolaz® Acne Therapy

Isolaz® acne therapy is safe for all skin types and skin tones. Due to the deep cleaning nature and gentle suction of Isolaz®, treatment can help your other acne skin care products to work better.

If you are pregnant, talk to your OB/GYN first before proceeding with your Isolaz® treatment.

What to Expect After Isolaz® Laser Acne Treatment

There is zero downtime after Isolaz® laser acne treatment.

Clients report noticeable improvement from Isolaz® acne therapy within 24-48 hours of the treatment. You will see redness disappear, active acne lesions dry up, and pores feel cleaner.

You can go about your daily activities immediately following treatment.

Number of Isolaz® Treatments Needed

Our dermatology providers recommend four to six treatments of Isolaz® to achieve optimal results.

Success Rate of Isolaz® Laser Acne Treatment

Our success rate with Isolaz® laser acne treatment in reducing acne lesions is over 75 percent within two months. The good news is that it shows impressive results for acne patients who have not responded to other acne treatments, such as topical skincare and antibiotics.

Laser Treatments for Acne Scars

Laser treatments for acne scars are also very successful in helping patients achieve a scar-free complexion.

Types of Acne Scars

Knowing the type of acne scars you have helps find the most effective treatment for you. There are two types of acne scars: pitted acne scars (where there has been a loss of tissue and the skin literally looks as though there is an indentation in it) and post-inflammatory acne scars (the red spots or brown spots left on the skin after active acne lesions disappear).

Best Laser Treatments for Pitted Acne Scars

The gold standard treatment for pitted acne scars is laser rejuvenation therapy using the fractional CO2 laser. The fractional CO2 laser targets the deep layers of the skin to stimulate collagen renewal, which notably fills in depressed acne scars.

Focal Acne Scar Treatment (F.A.S.T.) for Pitted Acne Scars

F.A.S.T. utilizes the fractional C02 laser in a unique way to treat pitted acne scars. Recovery time is faster, and patients experience greater results.

F.A.S.T. is Ideal for any Type of Acne Scarring

F.A.S.T. is the ideal solution for any type of acne scarring. We want our patients to feel confident about their appearance, no longer plagued by the self-consciousness that accompanies acne scarring. Pitted areas have responded exceptionally well to the F.A.S.T. technique. Most patients experience 50-70% improvement.

What to Expect During F.A.S.T.

Our dermatology providers use a fractional CO2 laser to poke tiny microscopic holes into the skin, allowing for the creation of new collagen. The collagen helps fill in the scarred areas and gives your skin a smoother and more refreshed look.

Before treatment, a topical numbing cream is applied to the skin. The numbing cream can take up to 45 minutes to take effect. We also offer the option of a mild sedative or narcotic before treatment. After the skin is numbed, your provider focuses the fractional CO2 laser on the areas of concern. The entire procedure takes about one hour, and treatment may feel similar to pins and needles on the skin. You can expect some redness right after the treatment, and that redness lasts for about 24 hours. You should allow for about 3-5 days of downtime before resuming normal activities. The skin will begin to peel, and then after 7 days, it will look pink. After about two weeks, the skin will enjoy optimal results from the fractional CO2 laser treatment.

Patients rarely experience prolonged dark spots, light spots, or scarring. The result is a smooth and rejuvenated complexion free of any pitted acne scars.

AviClear^® Laser for Acne

AviClear^® Laser for Acne is the first and only FDA-cleared energy device for the treatment of mild to severe acne. It provides long-term, effective resolution of acne across all skin types, and it is safe.

Schweiger Dermatology Group is proud to be among the very first dermatology practices in the country to offer AviClear^® to our acne patients. “AviClear^® is a revolutionary, safe, long-lasting laser approach to the treatment of acne with the same improvement seen from oral medications but with none of the side effects,” says Dr. David J. Goldberg, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology and Clinical Research at Schweiger Dermatology Group.

The KTP Laser for Acne Scars and Red Marks

The KTP (potassium titanyl-phosphate) Laser effectively treats acne scarring and the red marks left behind from acne. This laser gently removes the blood vessels just below the skin’s surface that ultimately cause the redness associated with scarring or rosacea.

Results can sometimes be seen after one session, while others with more severe discoloration may require 2-3 sessions. Patients report a more glowing complexion, more even skin tones, and smoother skin texture. Consult with one of our skin care specialists to give you a comprehensive idea of what to expect with KTP laser treatment.

Light Treatment for Acne

Blue Light and Red Light Acne Treatment

Blue light and red light treatments may be the answer for some people who have tried other forms of acne therapies to no avail. This FDA-approved light treatment kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation. The red light also helps to speed up the healing process, thus leaving patients with a clearer and smoother complexion sooner.
This in-office treatment takes about 15 minutes.

Typically, patients receive four to eight blue and red light therapy treatments for optimal results. This light therapy is also frequently used in conjunction with other types of acne therapy, such as topical products and prescription medications.

Overall, patients report improvement in their skin after just one treatment.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Acne

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for acne sufferers. PDT is a painless and non-invasive procedure that uses a blue light in tandem with medication to kill the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts.

The blue light activates a medication called 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). PDT significantly shrinks the skin’s oil-producing glands, thus, drastically decreasing the amount of oil in each pore. As a result, acne-causing bacteria find it more difficult to thrive without this natural oil present. Beyond just shrinking these oil glands, PDT also targets the acne-causing bacteria directly. The procedure is best used in tandem with other treatments and a specially designed skin care regimen.

PDT also helps to diminish the appearance of red and brown spots that may linger after an acne lesion disappears.

Patients generally need three to five treatments spaced approximately 3 to 5 weeks apart for the best results. After treatment, patients should avoid sun exposure for up to 48 hours, and patients with darker skin tones should be more cautious when it comes to staying out of the sun.

After just one treatment, patients report feeling better and more confident about their complexions.

Light Treatment for Post-Inflammatory Acne Scars

To target the red and brown spots that remain after acne lesions resolve, we use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments, which destroy the pigmented red and brown skin cells on the skin, leaving a more uniform and even-toned complexion.

The IPL involves a series of short pulses of light that target the affected skin cells and thereby lessen the appearance of acne scars. Patients report that their complexions have a refreshed look following treatment.

Treatment takes about 15 minutes, and most patients require anywhere from three to five treatments to achieve desired results.
After treatment, there may be some slight redness following your IPL treatment; however, there is no downtime at all. Patients can return to work or other activities immediately.

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