Laser treatment procedure

Applications of laser dermatology have grown dramatically in the last few years, from the routine treatment of scarred skin to today’s advanced acne laser treatment. Once a methodology for repair and restoration, medical lasers can be used for routine maintenance or prevention of conditions before they lead to long-lasting damage. Today, lasers join blue Omnilux light therapy at the cutting edge of advanced dermatology.

Pulsed-Dye Laser Dermatology Gains Acceptance

Lasers have been used successfully for several years to eliminate bacteria or shrink the sebaceous glands that produce oil and host infections. The pulsed-dye acne laser treatment begins with an application of a topical anesthesia solution. Then the area is treated with laser pulses along adjacent rows of tissue. The skin may redden, but usually returns to normal pigmentation. Treatment is limited to one monthly visit, and may have immediate, long-lasting results. The patient may require up to five treatments if there are flare-ups. On the down side, lasers have been known to cause splotches or uneven pigmentation in the treated area in some subjects.

Putting Light on the Subject

Blue Omnilux light therapy has made recent inroads into standardized acne natural care. An American Academy of Dermatology study recently reported that, “two 15-minute exposures a week for a period of four weeks produced a 60 percent reduction in acne in 80 percent of patients.” Patients wearing protective goggles sit for 15 minutes under the blue-wavelength light. Once exposed to the blue light, free radicals in the porphyrin molecules that contribute to inflammation are destroyed. The only side effect noted to date is that blue light may be harmful to the unprotected eye; this is avoided by requiring patients to wear goggles.