Laser acne treatment is one of the safest and most effective ways
to treat your acne. The lasers are very precise, so only the treated
skin will be affected. Also, a cooling gel will be used on the treated
skin, so it will not become burned.
Many patients find the
procedure painless; some even schedule their treatments during their
lunch breaks. Although you can return to your normal activities
immediately following the treatment, you may want to schedule treatments
for a time when you will have a few days to recover, if you are worried
about the side effects.
The treatment itself may be a little
uncomfortable, but not painful. Many patients describe it as similar to
the feeling of a taut rubber band hitting their skin, for example.
Particularly if you are having your laser treatment in a sensitive
location, such as your face, you may be offered anesthetic creams to
make you more comfortable during the procedure.
Because laser acne
treatment is a medical procedure, there are a few side effects,
luckily, with laser acne procedure these are very mild. After the
procedure, the treated skin may be red and a little swollen. You may
wish to plan your treatments around big public functions you must
attend, but otherwise you can return to your daily life right after the
session. For best results, you should not cover your skin with makeup
until it has fully healed, as this can irritate it. Other than your red
and tender skin, there is no recovery time for laser acne treatment.
There
are also a few things you can do to lessen the severity of your side
effects. Your doctor may prescribe medications or creams to help
alleviate redness and swelling. If this is the case, make sure to take
them exactly as prescribed. Avoid scrubbing or scratching your skin, as
this can lead to further irritation. Be sure to stay out of the sun for
several weeks following your last treatment session, because treated
skin is susceptible to sun damage.
To further minimize your risk
of side effects or complications, make sure you have chosen a reputable
doctor. Though the side effects of laser treatment for acne are mild, an
experienced doctor will lower your risks even further. To find a
reputable doctor, you may want to call your state's medical board to ask
about any complaints against the doctors you are considering. Before
the treatment, ask your doctor lots of questions, particularly about
their training and experience using lasers for acne treatment. Your
doctor should explain the side effects and risks associated with laser
acne treatment before allowing you to commit to the procedure.
Laser
acne treatment is very popular, and for good reason. Laser treatments
are very effective, and come with minimal side effects, other than
redness and swelling, there are no common problems associated with the
treatment.
