Acne is a common skin condition that affects as many as 50 million people in the U.S. alone. Over the counter medications and other traditional acne solutions usually don’t do much for the amount of time and money invested. Sufferers of severe acne, however, should investigate laser treatment for acne, a procedure administered by a professional dermatologist that has a high success rate for eliminating both pimples as well as scarring caused by acne infections.

The Basics

Acne laser treatments can cost as much as $400-$500 for a 20 minute session. Each area affected by acne receives a beam of laser light delivered by a special device that works to reduce the size of the sebaceous glands underneath the skin that erupt into pimples and blemishes.

Laser Types

Several types of lasers can be used to heal the condition of the skin in an acne laser skin treatment. These include Nonablative Lasers that stimulate the production of collagen underneath the surface of the skin to help restore skin tone and a healthy appearance.

Another type of laser is an Erbium Laser that passes heat through the skin to connect with water molecules in erasing facial blemishes.

The third type of laser is a Carbon Dioxide Laser that works by directing high-energy light rays in a series of short bursts onto the affected area of skin, vaporizing damaged tissues to restore a smooth and healthy appearance to formerly acne-scarred skin.

Smooth, clear skin can be a reality

The Procedure and Side Effects

The laser treatment is done on an out-patient basis with very little downtime or negative side effects. A topical anesthetic is used to numb the areas being worked on with laser light so that the procedure is pain-free.

There is a certain amount of facial discomfort that lasts about a week after the acne remedy which can be handled with medication prescribed by your doctor. Facial redness also lasts for several weeks following laser treatments for acne, but it can be covered up with cosmetic foundation as recommended by your doctor.

Most patients who opt for laser treatment with acne scar removal liked the fact that acne scars are either completely eliminated or greatly reduced following the procedure, leading to increased self-esteem and confidence. Despite laser treatment for acne scars being among the most costly treatment procedures, the majority of patients who opt for this procedure say that the satisfying results are more than worth the expense.