The Latest Laser Acne Treatments

It may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but in the world of modern medicine laser surgery is becoming a popular and powerful choice for dealing with a number of different medical conditions. Some of the most cutting edge uses of lasers and focused light are for the Laser Acne Treatment. Lasers can be used to burn off the outer layers of skin where acne is, or they can penetrate below the surface of the skin and deal with the underlying causes of acne.

The only real disadvantage to laser acne treatments is that they can be difficult to get and difficult to afford. They're often only used for people with severe acne problems -you'll have to ask a doctor or dermatologist if laser acne treatment would be a good option for you. Also, laser acne treatments are generally considered to be cosmetic procedures, so many insurance companies won't cover them. This can make it difficult for most people to afford having it done.

For those who do have access to laser acne treatments, there are a few different options to choose from. Some laser treatments target glands under the skin called the sebaceous glands. These glands are responsible for secreting the oil that can cause acne. The laser targets them and actually damages them, which makes them produce less oil.

Other types of laser treatments target the bacteria that cause acne inflammation, referred to in the medical community as Propionibacterium acens, or P. acnes. This type of laser treatment can also help to smooth out the skin's overall texture and repair acne scars. It is a powerful combined approach that can really change the way a person looks.

To get more specific, there are different types of lasers that are used in these different procedures. Each laser uses a different approach to do its job. The first type of laser is called the blue light laser. One of the advantages of this treatment is that it's painless, but it must be done over the course of multiple sessions. Unfortunately, acne tends to spread rapidly so these treatments must be undergone regularly to keep it at bay. There is a new version of blue light therapy on the horizon that combines blue and red lights, and it may be even more effective than blue light alone.

The second type of laser treatment works through pulsed green-yellow lights combined with heat energy. The combination of these two factors help shrink the sebaceous glands, thus making them produce less oil. This type of treatment can be used to treat moderate acne outbreaks, but more severe outbreaks may be out of its reach. The only known side effect of this treatment is that it causes the affected areas to be reddened for a brief time.

The last type of laser used in acne laser treatments is the diode laser. These lasers pierce the outer layer of skin and destroy sebaceous glands without damaging the outermost skin layers. This treatment, unlike the others, can be quite painful. However, doctors generally provide some sort of painkiller to dull the pain during treatment. Like the pulsed light treatment, the diode laser can cause redness and also swelling. However, it provides some of the best acne reduction after a couple of treatments.

August 13 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a method of removing unwanted body hair through the use of laser technology. A high intensity beam of light which gives off a lot of heat energy is directed at hair follicles to damage and stunt re-growth of the hair. It is a fairly painless procedure and a huge improvement in near-permanent hair removal methodology compared to painful electrolysis.

One of the great things about laser hair removal is the relative safety when compared to other forms of cosmetic enhancement procedures. The laser does not penetrate past the top layer of your skin and when it is zapping away at hair, the surrounding tissue is left unharmed.

Different parts of the body will experience different sensations depending on the sensitivity of the skin. Overall it is a painless procedure and some patients report having a warm sensation on the area being treated. The sensation can range from a mild stinging in the skin or slight tingle.

The level of discomfort during the laser procedure is negligible compared to the pain of pulling hair by the roots after applying hot wax all over your skin. The lasting effects of laser hair removal and the freedom of having to worry about the next waxing session makes the upfront cost of laser treatment well worth the price.

As far as treatment goes, a single session can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to forty-five minutes depending on the size of the area. And in many cases, multiple sessions are required as follow-up.

After the first treatment, it is typically reported that the hair re-grows 80% thinner. The area that is being treated then proceeds to re-grow thinner until no re-growth is left. Follow up sessions are usually a month apart for two to eight months.

The cost of such a procedure depends on a variety of factors. The key factors include the part of the body from which the hair is to be removed, the number of sessions required, and the doctor's charge for his or her service.

Clinics use a wide variety of methods to price the treatment and it is up to you to ask how the bill will be determined, and to get a quote for the procedure. In the long-run, many patients find that the money for laser hair removal is well worth the benefits of never having to shave or wax the same area ever again.

July 19 2009 | Cosmetic Surgery | No Comments »