Post-Acne Laser Treatment Lifestyle & Maintenance

Acne laser treatment is a surgical procedure which treats acne on the face or body. There are many different methods of acne treatment, but laser treatments are safer, as the light used reaches portions which otherwise cannot be accessed with other surgical instruments. Acne laser treatment uses a laser which targets the collagen under the skin and makes the tissue tighten. An acne treatment consists of two parts: the treatment and the maintenance phase. It's not only the treatment that matters; proper care needs to be taken to maintain the full effects in the long run.

If you have tried to treat your acne with numerous creams, lotions and medications without much success, you may be ready to take the next step and consider acne laser treatment. Consult with your doctor to determine if this is the right procedure for you.

Post Acne Treatment

Recovery time after the procedure is about one week. After the acne laser treatment, the treated area should not be exposed to the sun for about 2 weeks. The laser treatment causes slight redness, which disappears in about a day. Patients will also have some mild swelling and pain which should subside within a couple of days after treatment. In certain cases, a patient might find the capillaries in the face turning purple, but this will vanish slowly in a few hours.

The dark pigmented spots begin to peel off naturally in one or two weeks. Continuous treatments cause the lesions to reduce, and gradually eliminates them. You can use makeup or even a moisturizer after every procedural treatment. Some patients may find a little hair growth around the area, which disappears with time.

Skin Care

After acne laser treatment, it is important to keep up with the maintenance, which includes microdermabrasion. This is an important step, and your doctor will set up a routine that you should follow after treatment. You may also have to use certain skin care products to help protect the skin. Severe scrubbing of the laser treated area could cause damage, so it needs to be treated gently. Sunscreen needs to be used while the skin is recovering.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids after your treatments, especially water, to keep your skin hydrated. Maintaining a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables will keep you healthy and give your skin a glow. Always wash your face and body with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oil buildup. This will help keep pores clean and prevent future acne breakouts.

Follow Up Treatments

Although the laser treatment is quick and painless and you may notice results instantly, you will need to have multiple procedures to maintain a long term effect. It could take months before you see the full effects of the treatment.

Acne laser treatment is often combined with one or several other treatments for acne scars. By combining treatments, you can expect better results. The only thing to keep in mind is the time between treatments. Some surgical procedures require your skin to be fully healed before attempting another treatment. 

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