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 »

Getting To Know Laser Liposuction

Just recently, the FDA approved the latest technology called laser liposuction as a method for removing fat in specific areas of the body. It seems that people no longer need to stick to the option of traditional liposuction. There is however, still a lot that we need to know about laser liposuction.

What is Laser Liposuction?

Laser liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that causes little bruising or tissue trauma in patients. In this procedure, a very small incision is made into which a 1mm cannula is then inserted. The laser tip of the instrument then comes into contact with the fats, heats the fats up and breaks them down. The melted fat can then be removed from the body immediately.

Fats that are not removed can be flushed out by the body through the lymphatic system. Laser intensity is low and can be adjusted as needed. A local anesthetic is all that is needed for laser liposuction.

Its Use

Like other liposuction procedures, laser liposuction can only work on specific areas of the body. Although some may claim that laser liposuction can work wonders on all parts of your body, it can only really work on limited areas. Only smaller areas like the face, neck and arms can be subjected to this laser treatment.

Laser liposuction is similar to traditional liposuction in that it is also a form of a body sculpting procedure. It is therefore not a solution for obesity and cannot be used for weight loss. The appropriate candidates for this new technology are people who are fairly healthy and who have only small fat deposits.

Advantages

Since the procedure is minimally invasive, there is less swelling, bruising, scarring, tissue damage and pain. The incision is said to be so small that a patient no longer needs to be stitched up. This means that the rate of recovery is faster. Patients can get back on their feet in a day or two.

Another advantage of laser liposuction is that it promotes collagen production and tightens the skin aside from merely melting body fats. This is a great improvement compared to traditional liposuction. In traditional liposuction, some patients end up looking worse because of a lack of ideal skin elasticity. Some doctors may use laser liposuction after sessions of traditional liposuction to help tighten the skin.

Disadvantages

Not all areas of the body can be subjected to laser liposuction. Traditional liposuction may still be needed for wider body areas such as the hips and thighs. It is also still a very young piece of technology. Experts agree that more studies need to be conducted to determine the possible negative side effects of this procedure.

A more serious concern that especially deserves more attention in laser liposuction is also the probable negative effects of having more fat fluid being retained in the body. Of course, the FDA would not approve something that could be potentially dangerous. It is a fact though that the full long term side effects of the procedure cannot be determined yet until it has been in use for quite some time. Be on the safe side by asking your doctor to extensively discuss the procedure with you.

July 24 2009 | Liposuction | No Comments »