Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment For Acne

Acne is a very common skin disease that is caused by excessive production of sebaceous oil. Although anyone can be affected by acne, it typically affects those in their teenage years and early 20s. Although acne can appear in many different forms, severe acne will often result in permanent scarring. To reduce acne scarring and help heal acne, many dermatologists are using the technology of pulsed dye lasers.

Pulsed dye lasers emit concentrated high-energy beams of light, which target the skin’s blood vessels. As the light penetrates the skin, it converts into heat resulting in blood vessels being destroyed, without damaging healthy skin and tissue. Because the laser uses a specific light that is only absorbed by blood vessels, it is very effective at preventing healthy skin from being harmed. Pulsed dye lasers are adjustable to control the intensity of the light for optimal results.

The results of having pulsed dye laser therapy on acne are the reduction of visible acne and less redness of acne scars. Acne scars result when capillaries break during the healing process, leaving the appearance of redness. During a pulsed dye laser session, the broken capillaries are heated, causing them to coagulate and be absorbed by the body. This removes the redness caused by acne scarring. Pulsed dye laser therapy also reduces the production of sebaceous oil and kills bacteria that cause acne. It additionally helps to remove dead skin cells from the outer surface skin layer. As the dead skin cells are removed, collagen production is stimulated, resulting in healthy new outer skin.

During a treatment with pulsed dye lasers, a device that resembles a wand is moved over the surface of the skin. The wand emits a wide range of pulsed light, treating large acne areas quickly. The procedure requires no anesthesia and normally only takes from 20 minutes to an hour to perform. Discomfort is kept to a minimum as the laser wand emits a cold spray directly before the pulsed light, reducing the sensation of pain. Some patients do experience a slight stinging or pinching sensation during treatments. For maximum results, several treatments are usually required although this depends on the severity of the acne and the scars. Patients will be required to wear dark glasses during a treatment to reduce the risk of damage to the eyes from the laser light.

Patients who decide to have pulsed dye laser therapy will be instructed to apply a sunscreen to their skin each day for at least a month prior to their first treatment. This is to prevent any tanning from occurring, as these treatments are ineffective on tanned skin. Furthermore, these treatments when used on tanned skin could result in the skin becoming permanently damaged.

Common side effects of pulsed dye laser treatments include temporary redness of skin, minor bruising and perhaps a slight amount of swelling. These side effects usually last for about 1 to 2 weeks following treatment. No scabs or scars occur from these treatments. Treatments do not require any downtime by the patient and they may return to their normal activities immediately. Following treatments, patients should use a high SPF sunscreen daily and avoid the sun as much as possible. Pulsed dye laser treatments are considered one of the safest treatments available as they are very gentle on the skin and provide exact precision in targeting only damaged blood vessels.

Studies that have been completed on pulsed dye laser treatments have resulted in conflicting reports, according to the American Association of Dermatology. One such study that took place in the United Kingdom consisted of 41 patients, all having acne. Of the 41 participants, 51 percent experienced a reduction in acne lesions. Another study that took place in the United States consisted of 40 participants who had acne. The study was done using the pulsed dye laser treatment on only one side of the participant’s face. Treatments were continued for 12 weeks. Following treatment, researchers found no improvement in the treated side when compared to the untreated side. A third study was performed by the Yale University School of Medicine. The study consisted of 14 participants with mild to moderately severe acne and acne scars. This study found that after using one treatment that combined pulsed dye laser treatments with the topical medication, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), treatments were effective on all participants with a visible reduction in acne as well as scarring. The conclusion of this study reported that patients with inflammatory facial acne who were treated a single time using pulsed dye laser therapy, experienced an improvement, which was apparent 12 weeks following the treatment. No serious side effects were reported. Because this form of acne treatment is new, it is still regarded as an experimental treatment for acne.

The typically cost of a pulse dye laser therapy session that consist of treating one small area cost about $100 according to a California dermatologist. To treat a larger area such as the face, neck and the chest, the cost can be thousands of dollars.

According to the latest research reports on pulsed dye laser treatments for acne, treatments are effective when combined with ALA topical medication. These treatments have shown to be effective at reducing scarring that resulted from acne. Additionally, the John Hopkins Cosmetic Centers deems pulsed dye laser therapy as the best treatment available today for the treatment of acne scars.

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