Acne laser treatment is the latest development in a variety of methods used to manage acne. This procedure has evolved from intense studies performed through applications of light in surgery and medicine. Advancement in laser technology and treatment has also contributed greatly towards this procedure. Acne is a condition that results from the accumulation of excess sebum and dead skin cells. Sebum is produced in the sebaceous gland.
Under normal healthy conditions, this fluid comes out through the hair follicles. The hair follicle wall ruptures under the duress of excessive oil and dead skin. This leads to the onset of acne, which is further complicated by bacterial infection. In most instances, a combination of laser treatment and a variety of procedures is recommended in order to achieve a higher degree of efficacy. These procedures include:
- Targeting of oil gland production through skin cooling.
- Application of light sensitive chemical to the oil gland and hair follicle areas.
- Removal of swollen follicles using a suction apparatus.
Complications of Acne Laser Treatment
The following list contains documented complications of this procedure.
- Discoloring of the skin. This is especially evident on the treated skin and more prevalent in dark skinned patients. Lasers result in changes in pigment. An experienced doctor may actually lower your chance of having this complication. Doctors with previous experience in treating dark skinned patients will be better placed to carry out this procedure. The tone of your skin will be of paramount importance when you decide to have this treatment. Certain types of laser are only suited to particular skin tones. Exposure to the sun has also been linked to this discoloration. It would be wise to stay indoors after undergoing the procedure for a few weeks. The discoloring may become permanent, or it may last for a few months.
- Folliculitis is another documented complication arising from acne laser treatment. This is inflammation of the hair follicles. Folliculitis in most instances will resemble acne. According to doctors, it should go away after a few weeks. During the actual procedure, lasers irritate the hair follicles through inflammation. It will eventually subside after several weeks or months.
- Blistering. This may in very rare cases be as a direct result of this procedure. Studies are yet to reveal concrete proof of this, though.
- Scarring. The procedure may result in scarring of the skin due to the degree or extent of the acne. It is a very rare complication.
Lasers are known to have varying levels of energy which directly translates to the penetration power. These two factors of a laser beam are adjusted according to the complexity of the acne in question. In case of irregular scarring, the YAG laser, which has superior penetration powers, is used. Applications of the carbon dioxide laser mainly center on collagen fibers tightening and the elevation of depressed scars. It remains unclear whether acne laser treatment has more deep running complications, as it is a relatively new procedure and therefore less researched.