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In the battle of skin versus acne, acne has always seemed to hold the edge. It can attack anytime, day or night. It can’t be seen or even felt until it’s already gained a foothold in your skin. And it can literally erupt on any spot on your body.

We’ve always been forced to fight a sort of “holding action” to contain acne. We’ve used the myriad acne gels and creams the local drug store sells over the counter. Some of us have even used the prescription lotions and antibiotics our doctor or dermatologist have recommended. But even though we’ve fought hard with all the right weapons, acne breakouts have still been difficult to beat.

Now there’s a new weapon in the acne fighting arsenal, Acne Laser Treatments.

To understand how a laser treatment for acne can be effective you first have to understand what causes acne. Acne develops underneath the surface layer of the skin when the sebum from sebaceous oil glands mixes with the dead skin cells that are normally found in the pores of the skin. Ordinarily this isn’t a problem but when there’s too much sebum or too many dead skin cells, the skin can’t expel it all easily and the mixture forms a greasy plug. That plug grows over time and becomes a whitehead, a blackhead, or even a papule or cyst (i.e. cystic acne).

The topical acne treatments we buy and use attempt to fight this problem by breaking apart the plugs and helping to remove the excess dead skin cells. Some acne treatments also try to reduce the excess amount of oil our skin creates. And still others work on both fronts. But in every case they attack the symptoms of the problem and not the root causes. Acne laser therapy works a bit differently.

Laser treatments for acne work by accessing the deeper skin layer more directly and attacking the problem at its source. Certain lasers go after the sebaceous glands and reduce their size. By default then the glands’ oil production is also reduced leading to less acne.

Other acne laser treatments work on the inflammation that comes with acute acne. These treatments seek out the bacteria that cause the inflammation in the first place and destroy them. That works to reduce the immediate cysts and also to prevent future formations.

Also, it’s been known for a while now that some laser treatments actually reduce or lessen the impact of scarring on the skin. It’s now thought that these treatments can improve the look and feel of the skin’s surface as well. That’s a definite bonus for acne sufferers.

Laser treatments and acne look like a definite match made in heaven. Acne lasers show great promise in getting to the root causes of acne. There are however certain caveats to keep in mind.

First, there’s the price tag. An acne laser treatment cost can run in the $200.00 to $500.00 range depending on the experience and popularity of the practitioner. That’s a lot more than just about any other type of acne treatment. Plus, even in cases where a patient has severe acne, the cost of treatments is usually not covered by conventional insurance. That means each acne laser treatment is an out-of-pocket expense for the recipient.

Next, you have to consider the time element. While laser skin treatments can easily be done within an hour, one treatment is usually not enough. Most clinicians will suggest three or more treatments done over the course of months. That’s important to consider before beginning any acne laser therapy.

Finally, there are the side effects. As a family friend and doctor once told me, “you can’t have a primary effect without at least one side effect” and the same is true of acne laser treatments. You may be able to get at the root causes of your acne but there will be a certain amount of pain involved and a certain amount of skin swelling and redness as well. This is especially true if you have bad acne.

Some treatments themselves can be painful though that can be reduced significantly by the use of pain-relieving analgesic creams during therapy. In most cases the pain is usually mild and not long-lasting. But it is something to think about when you’re considering this particular kind of treatment for acne.

Also, most acne laser treatments will generate skin redness, some peeling, and even some swelling. This will most likely carry on for at least a few days after the treatment. And during that time you won’t feel much like going out and socializing. Just another point to factor into the acne laser equation.

When it comes to acne treatments that work, Laser treatments are some of the most effective. But the question remains, are the treatments really worth your time, your effort, and the cost? If you think your answer is “yes,” then do yourself a favor and proceed with caution.

Consult with your doctor before you book a laser treatment at your local spa. Seek out a second opinion too. And when you are ready to find the right laser treatment center for you, look for one with a proven track record; one that’s been around for a while; one with referrals you can trust. Picking the right acne laser treatment will take some time and effort, but your skin is worth it.