Is Laser For Acne Safe? but it’s still smart to get your doctor’s OK before trying it. Acne-causing bacteria can be eliminated with the use of a focused beam of light in a procedure known as laser therapy. It has been used for many years to treat acne, and it is effective for both mild and moderate cases. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a type of laser therapy that requires the use of a photosensitizing chemical (often aminolevulinic acid or methyl aminolevulinic acid) to make the skin more receptive to the laser’s irradiation. When combined with a photosensitizing chemical, laser light can penetrate deeper into the skin, killing more bacteria than would be possible with direct laser light alone.
While laser therapy has proven to be quite efficient in the treatment of acne, it is not without its risks. If not performed properly by a qualified professional, side effects can include redness, swelling, soreness, or discomfort at the treatment site, and even scarring. Also, you shouldn’t apply any other facial cosmetics while getting laser therapy, as doing so could lead to infections or irritations.
Laser treatments are very common and they have many uses. Laser treatments have been around for a long time now, but they aren’t always the right thing to do. There is a lot of information out there, but it can be hard to find what you need and even more challenging to get the right answer before moving forward with the treatment. Read on to learn more on best laser treatment for active acne and acne laser treatment side effects.
Is Laser For Acne Safe
A laser can seem like a magic wand that can make any scar disappear. Medical lasers, however, are nothing to play with. To get impressive results and avoid serious side effects, it’s important to know these basic facts before you have laser treatment for a scar.
1. Laser treatment cannot get rid of a scar. Thanks to recent advancements in medicine, lasers are becoming a dermatologist’s go-to treatment for many scars. Laser treatment can:
- Prevent a raised scar from forming after surgery
- Reduce scar pain and itch
- Increase your range of motion if a scar limits movement
Laser treatment can also make a scar less noticeable, but it cannot get rid of a scar. When you have laser scar treatment, you’re replacing one scar with another less-noticeable scar.
2. Your results depend largely on the skills of the person performing the laser treatment. Dermatologists are at the forefront of researching and treating scars with lasers.
In the hands of a board-certified dermatologist, laser treatment can safely treat many types of scars.
When the person performing your laser treatment lacks medical expertise and specialized knowledge of the skin, laser treatment may not give you the results you seek. It can even be dangerous.
3. A medical consultation is crucial before any laser treatment. If someone promises to treat your scar before providing a medical consultation, walk away.
Give your dermatologist a list of the medications and supplements you take. To heal well and prevent the laser from scarring your skin, you may need to stop taking something for a while.
It’s essential for the person performing your laser treatment to know about you. Everyone is unique. To treat a scar effectively, the person performing your laser treatment must consider your skin type, characteristics of your scar, and your overall health.
During the medical consultation, tell your dermatologist if you:
- Get cold sores
- Have any medical condition, including diabetes
- Smoke
- Take any medications or supplements
It’s also important for your dermatologist to know what results you expect from treatment. Be honest.
4. Sun protection is crucial before and after laser treatment. If you show up for laser treatment with a tan or sunburn, your dermatologist cannot treat you. Using a laser could cause a serious burn or discolor your skin.
After having laser treatment, you’ll need to protect your skin from the sun until your skin heals. If the sun’s harmful rays hit your treated skin, you can develop another scar.
5. You may need to make a few lifestyle changes before treatment. To heal well and get the best results from laser treatment, dermatologists recommend that patients:
- Quit smoking for at least 2 weeks before laser treatment.
- Stop taking vitamin E, aspirin, and other medications and supplements that can delay healing.
- Stop using skin care products that contain a retinoid or glycolic acid for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Take medication to prevent getting cold sores if you’re prone to developing cold sores.
- Avoid the sun, tanning bed, or sunlamp. You cannot be treated if you have a tan or sunburn.
6. Your treatment plan may include more than laser treatment. To give patients the best results, dermatologists often use more than one treatment for scars. For example, if a patient has deep acne scars, a dermatologist may treat the scars with a laser. The patient may also get a filler.
7. You may need more than one laser treatment. To give a patient long-lasting results and the most improvement, a dermatologist may schedule a series of laser treatments. This is often necessary when using a type of laser called a non-ablative laser. You won’t have downtime with this laser, but to see the desired results, you may need a few laser treatments.
8. After laser treatment, you’ll need to care for the treated area at home. Following your dermatologist’s instructions for at-home care after laser treatment will help you see the best results and prevent possible side effects.
9. Results take time to appear. It can take months to see the results from laser scar treatment, and you may notice little improvement at first.
10. Insurance may not cover the cost. Laser scar treatment can ease the pain and itch that scars sometimes cause. If a scar limits movement, laser treatment can help you move more freely. Still, insurance providers consider laser treatments cosmetic treatments. Health insurance generally does not cover the cost of cosmetic treatments.
If you’re considering laser scar treatment, the best way to find out if it’s right for you is to meet with a board-certified dermatologist. You can find one who specializes in laser procedures at, Find a dermatologist – Select the Specialty “laser procedures”.
Acne Laser Treatment Side Effects
This treatment combines an intense pulsed light (IPL) laser with a gentle vacuum. It works by removing excess oil and dead skin cells from clogged pores. It is FDA-approved to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and some pimples.
Lasers and other light therapies may seem like the perfect acne treatment. Just beam a light to make the acne disappear.
Using them is actually a bit more involved and the results less predictable, even in the skilled hands of a dermatologist. Still, these treatments can be an effective part of an acne treatment plan.
The following explains what you can expect from an in-office acne treatment that uses a laser or other light treatment.
- Before and after 3 laser treatments for acne: This 29-year-old man has good clearing, but you still see some acne.Most people see clearing, but it’s not 100%.
Studies show that lasers and other light treatments can reduce acne. Rarely can these treatments alone clear acne. To give you the best results, your dermatologist may recommend using another acne treatment, such as medicine that you apply to your skin. - Results vary from person to person.
Right now, there’s no way to know who will see clearer skin and how much the skin will clear when treated with a laser or other light treatment. - To get results, most people need a series of treatments.
Several studies have shown that multiple treatments deliver significantly better results than a single treatment. - It takes time to see results.
In studies, researchers continually find that patients see the best results weeks after the last treatment. In one study, patients treated with a type of light therapy called photodynamic therapy had 50% fewer spots at the end of the 4-week treatment period. Twelve weeks after the last treatment, they had a 72% reduction. - Follow-up treatments may be necessary.
Results from lasers and light therapies are generally long lasting. To maintain results, however, patients often need follow-up treatments once or twice a year. - Side effects are possible with lasers and other light treatments.
Redness and swelling are common after treatment with many lasers and light treatments. Some patients say their skin stings or burns. These are usually mild and disappear within a few hours or by the next day. Other side effects are rare; however, they can occur. These include lingering pain, burns, or blisters. Changes in your skin color and scarring are also possible. Getting treatment from a board-certified dermatologist who frequently uses lasers can help prevent these side effects. - Patients need to follow their dermatologist’s instructions carefully.
To help their patients get the best results and avoid side effects, dermatologists give instructions both before and after treatment. It’s essential to do everything as instructed. For example, after having photodynamic therapy, patients must avoid sunlight for 48 hours. - Good acne skincare helps deliver the best results.
Acne-prone skin requires gentle skin care to prevent new breakouts. You’ll find what dermatologists recommend at, Acne: Tips for Managing.
The future looks bright for treating acne with lasers and lights
These treatments show great promise in treating acne. Some patients with severe acne cysts have seen clearing for years when laser therapy was added to their treatment plan.
More studies are needed to know what will work best for most people. In the meantime, if you think a laser or light treatment can improve your acne, you should talk with a dermatologist. This doctor can tell you if you’d be a good candidate for this treatment.
Types of lasers and lights used to treat acne
No one laser or light treatment can treat pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, acne cysts, and acne nodules. That’s why different types of lasers and light therapies are used to treat acne. The following explains what the different types of lasers and lights can and cannot treat.
Blue, red, and blue + red light devices: Called visible light because you can see the colors, these devices can treat pimples. Visible light is not effective against blackheads, whiteheads, acne cysts, or nodules.
At-home devices: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some visible-light LED devices (blue, red, and blue + red light devices) for at-home use. These devices are less powerful than the ones a dermatologist uses. As stated above, visible light can only treat pimples.
There is no way to know who will see results. If you want to give it a try, you’ll need to use an at-home device twice a day. Some devices you need to use for 30 to 60 minutes, twice a day, for 4 to 5 weeks.
Infrared light: The FDA has approved this type of light to treat pimples, including those that develop on the back. Infrared light cannot treat blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, or nodules.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT): During PDT, a solution that makes the skin more sensitive to light is applied to acne-prone skin. The solution must sit on the skin for a while, between 15 minutes and 3 hours. Next, a dermatologist uses a laser or light device to treat the skin.
PDT therapy shows great promise in helping to treat severe acne. Some patients who had acne cysts have been clear for years after receiving PDT from a dermatologist.
You may notice downy excess body hair growing during your pregnancy but don’t be alarmed, this is quite normal and will typically go away around six months post-partum. However, what about using laser hair removal treatments during your pregnancy?
Many women find out they’re pregnant after they’ve started a course of laser hair removal and are keen to know if it’s safe to continue. We discuss the important considerations below.
HAIR GROWTH DURING PREGNANCY
If you notice hair growing on your body in some unusual places, such as your stomach, you needn’t worry about it! In fact, it’s very common to find downy, light hair growing in some unexpected places during this exciting time of your life.
This condition is known as Hirutism and many women may experience it during their pregnancy because they have higher than normal levels of androgen in their bodies, which can trigger Hirutism.
You might even notice your body hair getting darker too because this can happen due to heightened levels of melanin. This is the pigment in our bodies that is responsible for our natural colouring.
The excess body hair is typically found around the stomach, nipples and the face among other unusual areas and it can also cause your hair and nails to grow too. But, don’t despair – the good news is that this extra hair won’t stay forever and will typically disappear around six months after your delivery. However, if it doesn’t go away or is getting thicker or darker past this point, it’s a good idea to follow up with your doctor.
However, if you are concerned about the appearance of this excess hair and would like to remove it then waxing, shaving, plucking or threading are usually safe hair removal options for pregnant women.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS WHEN GETTING LASER HAIR REMOVAL DURING PREGNANCY?
Most doctors and health care professionals usually don’t recommend the use of laser hair removal treatments during pregnancy, not because of concerns about the safety to the unborn baby, but because it poses a slight risk of permanent pigmentation damage to the skin. This is because, during pregnancy, the skin’s pigmentation can change due to the androgen hormones in your body.
However, due to the lack of scientific evidence, there is no clear guidance as to whether laser hair removal beauty treatments are safe to have during pregnancy. This lack of scientific and medical research into the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy means that we can’t say for certain how this treatment could impact on the health and development of a foetus.
CAN YOU CONTINUE LASER HAIR REMOVAL WHEN PREGNANT?
Some women become concerned about their excessive hair growth during their pregnancy and seek to use laser hair removal to remove it. Others have already started a course of laser hair removal before they realise, they’re pregnant and wonder if it’s safe to continue the treatment.
It will depend on the individual beauty spa’s insurance and internal policies for offering laser hair removal treatments, as to whether they decide to continue with a course of treatment when their patient is pregnant. In some cases, they may decide to postpone or delay the course of laser hair removal until the baby is born, just to be on the safe side.
At Primas Medispa London, we are more than happy to discuss your specific requirements should you find that you fall pregnant during a course of laser hair removal treatment at our spa. Contact our friendly team today to find out more about booking one of our laser hair removal packages.
Acne Laser Treatment Side Effects
- Redness, swelling, itching and pain. Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation. …
- Acne. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause you to temporarily develop tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin.
- Infection. …
- Changes in skin color. …
- Scarring.
Laser resurfacing is a facial rejuvenation procedure that uses a laser to improve the skin’s appearance or treat minor facial flaws. It can be done with:
- Ablative laser. This type of laser removes the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates the growth of collagen — a protein that improves skin firmness and texture. As the epidermis heals and regrows, the treated area appears smoother and tighter. Types of ablative therapy include a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, an erbium laser and combination systems.
- Nonablative laser or light source. This approach also stimulates collagen growth. It’s a less aggressive approach than an ablative laser and has a shorter recovery time. But the results are less noticeable. Types include pulsed-dye laser, erbium (Er:YAG) and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.
Both methods can be delivered with a fractional laser, which leaves microscopic columns of untreated tissue throughout the treatment area. Fractional lasers were developed to shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of side effects.
Laser resurfacing can lessen the appearance of fine lines in the face. It can also treat loss of skin tone and improve your complexion. Laser resurfacing can’t eliminate excessive or sagging skin.
Why it’s done
Laser resurfacing can be used to treat:
- Fine wrinkles
- Age spots
- Uneven skin tone or texture
- Sun-damaged skin
- Mild to moderate acne scars.
Risks
Laser resurfacing can cause side effects. Side effects are milder and less likely with nonablative approaches than with ablative laser resurfacing.
- Redness, swelling, itching and pain. Treated skin may swell, itch or have a burning sensation. Redness may be intense and might last for several months.
- Acne. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause you to temporarily develop tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin.
- Infection. Laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores. In most cases, the herpes virus is already present but dormant in the skin.
- Changes in skin color. Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker than it was before treatment (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation). Permanent changes in skin color are more common in people with dark brown or Black skin. Talk with your doctor about which laser resurfacing technique reduces this risk.
- Scarring. Ablative laser resurfacing poses a slight risk of scarring.
Laser resurfacing isn’t for everyone. Your doctor might caution against laser resurfacing if you:
- Have taken the acne medication isotretinoin (Amnesteem) during the past year
- Have a connective tissue or autoimmune disease or a weak immune system
- Have a history of keloid scars
- Have had radiation therapy to the face
- Have a history of previous laser resurfacing
- Are prone to cold sores or have had a recent outbreak of cold sores or herpes virus
- Have darker brown or Black skin or are very tanned
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a history of an outward-turning eyelid (ectropion)
How you prepare
Before you have laser resurfacing, your doctor will likely:
- Ask about your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions and any medications you are taking or have taken recently. Your doctor might also ask about previous cosmetic procedures you’ve had and how you react to sun exposure — for example, do you burn easily? rarely?
- Do a physical exam. Your doctor will inspect your skin and the area that will be treated. This helps determine what changes can be made and how your physical features — for example, the tone and thickness of your skin — might affect your results.
- Discuss your expectations. Talk with your doctor about your motivations, expectations and the potential risks. Together, you can decide whether laser resurfacing is right for you and, if so, which approach to use. Make sure you understand how long it’ll take to heal and what your results might be.
Before laser resurfacing, you might also need to:
- Take medication to prevent complications. If you’re having ablative laser resurfacing — or nonablative laser resurfacing and you have a history of herpes infections around your mouth — your doctor will prescribe an antiviral medication before and after treatment to prevent a viral infection. Depending on your medical history, your doctor might recommend other medications before your procedure.
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure. Too much sun up to two months before the procedure can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in treated areas. Discuss sun protection and acceptable sun exposure with your doctor.
- Stop smoking. If you smoke, try to stop at least two weeks before and after your treatment. This improves your chance of avoiding complications and helps your body heal.
- Arrange for a ride home. If you’re going to be sedated during laser resurfacing, you’ll need help getting home after the procedure.
What you can expect
During the procedure
How laser resurfacing is doneOpen pop-up dialog box
Your doctor may do laser resurfacing as an outpatient procedure. Your care team will numb skin with medication. For extensive resurfacing, such as treatment to your whole face, you might be sedated.
During ablative laser resurfacing, an intense beam of light energy (laser) is directed at your skin. The laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis). At the same time, the laser heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates collagen production over time, resulting in better skin tone and texture. Ablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area treated. This approach usually needs only one treatment.
If you’re undergoing nonablative laser treatment or fractional Er:YAG laser resurfacing, you’ll likely need 1 to 3 treatments scheduled over weeks or months to get the results you’re looking for.
After the procedure
After ablative laser resurfacing, the treated skin will be raw, swollen and itchy. Your doctor will apply a thick ointment to the treated skin and might cover the area with an airtight and watertight dressing. You may take a pain reliever and use ice packs. New skin usually covers the area in one or two weeks and full recovery takes at least a month. During this time do not use products that may irritate your face, such as cosmetics. And avoid situations that increase your risk of infection, such as public whirlpools. Always use sun protection following laser resurfacing.
After nonablative laser resurfacing, recovery time is minimal. Your skin might be swollen or inflamed for a few hours. Use ice packs as needed. Typically, you can resume your usual activities and skin routine immediately.
Results
After ablative laser resurfacing, your skin might stay inflamed for up to several months. But once the treatment area begins to heal, you’ll notice a difference in your skin quality and appearance. The effects can last for years.
Results after nonablative laser resurfacing tend to be gradual and progressive. You’re more likely to notice improvements in skin texture and pigment than in wrinkles.
Laser for hair removal and skin treatments have been approved by the FDA since the late 1990’s. Since this time no studies have proven that laser hair or skin procedures are unsafe for pregnant or non pregnant women.