Acne Laser Treatment and Fair Skin Tones

Acne laser treatment is a practicable therapy option for patients with fair skin tones. During the treatment session, a laser is used to treat the two main causes of acne: excess sebum and bacteria.

What Causes Acne?

When too much sebum, or oil, is produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin, it can clog pores. This provides the perfect environment for bacteria to mix with sebum, causing acne. The laser solves both problems by shrinking the sebaceous glands of the skin, significantly decreasing the amount of oil they produce. The heat from the laser also kills the bacteria in the surrounding tissues.

Possible Side Effects

Reported side effects from acne laser treatment are temporary and mild. Some patients may experience slight discomfort during the procedure; however, the patient's dermatologist can numb the skin with an analgesic to make it a more pleasant experience. Minor pain, swelling, or redness can occur after the procedure, but this will abate on its own. Patients with fair skin tones are particularly viable candidates for acne laser treatment as the risk of hyperpigmentation after the procedure is negligible. If a patient with fair skin uses acne laser therapy to treat acne scars, he may notice some pink, red, or even purple patches on the skin after treatment. These patches are not permanent and will fade in time.