Laser Acne Treatment Guide

What are the Risks of Laser Acne Treatment?

Laser acne treatment is safe and effective way to get rid of severe acne. If you are considering laser treatment for your blemishes, one of your first questions should be what are the risks you are taking by undergoing the procedure. Although there are risks associated with any medical procedure, this particular laser treatment has a very low risk of complication. In fact, there are only two routinely seen complications with the treatment.

• Skin discoloration may be apparent in the treated skin following the procedure. Particularly in patients with darker skin tones, the laser may result in pigment changes. This may last for a few months, or it may eventually become permanent. Especially if you have darker skin, take this risk into account when determining whether laser treatment is right for you. To lower your risk of this complication, choose an experienced doctor. More importantly, choose one who is experienced in treating people with darker skin tones. When planning your treatment, make sure that the doctor plans to use lasers that will be safe on your skin tone, as not all are. If you do experience skin discoloration, avoid the sun following your procedure, as this may exacerbate the condition.
• The other main risk you are taking with laser acne treatment is folliculitis, or an inflammation of the hair follicles. This may resemble acne but it should go away within a few months following the laser treatment. It happens because the lasers, which target the sebaceous glands producing oil, may irritate the hair follicles as well. It can take several weeks or months for the inflammation to subside, but this complication is not serious or permanent.

The best way to lower your risk of side effects and complications is by choosing a reputable doctor. Don’t trust your skin to just anyone, and do not choose a dermatologist based on price alone. Some clinics allow people other than board certified dermatologists to conduct laser treatments, but you should avoid these, instead choosing a fully licensed doctor for your procedure. Lasers are powerful instruments that should only be used in the hands of professionals; sure that the doctor you choose is fully trained to use the laser.

Other than inflammation and skin discoloration, there are no long-term side effects with laser acne treatment. In fact, this procedure has one of the lowest rates of complications among all medical procedures. It is often used as an alternative to Accutane acne medication, which is a high-risk drug with risks including miscarriage, severe birth defects, liver problems, and depression. On the other hand, there are no known medical complications resulting from laser treatment, making it a very safe way to treat severe acne.

Related posts:

1. What are the Advantages of Using Lasers for Acne?
2. Is Laser Acne Treatment for Me?
3. Using Laser Treatment for Acne