Having the face or body covered in inflammation and infected pimples is an embarrassing condition that affects millions of Americans, resulting in low self-esteem and embarrassing scars. To effectively treat this condition, it is vital that patients fully understand the causes of this skin condition, how to prevent future breakouts, and the pros and cons of laser acne therapy.

What is acne?

Before running to the nearest spa to make an appointment, it is important to make sure you really do have the condition. Everyone has a pimple or two from time to time. This embarrassing skin condition is much more than just a pimple. Instead, it’s the result of oil-breeding bacteria under the skin, resulting in severe infected pimples, inflammation, and sensitivity.

To find out if you have this skin condition, simply look at your skin and note your skin’s history as time passes. It is marked by red, inflamed skin and a multitude of infected pimples. A local spa or dermatologist who specializes in this skin condition will be able to let you know during a consultation if you are still unsure.

Preventing outbreaks before they start

Instead of waiting until your face is covered in a layer of pimples, certain steps can be taken to prevent breakouts before they start.

First, be sure to wash your face twice a day. A mild soap with warm water will suffice, but many people see positive results with antibacterial face washes that are specially formulated to kill the bacteria that cause pimples.

In addition to washing your face properly, avoid anything that can increase the oily product or make your skin greasy, such as touching your face. This increases bacteria on your face and can make your skin more prone to breakouts.

Last but certainly not least, it is important to consider any underlying conditions, such as a hormonal imbalance, a diet that tends to increase breakouts, etc.

Laser treatment for acne

Sometimes, no matter what the patient does, the breakouts still appear out of nowhere and cause the skin to become inflamed. These patients often seek the advice of a dermatologist or spa experienced in acne laser treatment due to their reputation for providing patients with rapid and impressive results. While this is true, patients should be careful to weigh the pros and cons before shelling out their hard-earned money.

Pros

The benefits of this form of therapy are obvious to patients: this therapy helps decrease inflammation and cut scars. It is not extremely painful and is bloodless, unlike dermabrasion. Immediate results are one of the biggest benefits patients enjoy.

Cons

Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages rather than advantages. First, laser therapy for acne does not work well on all skin types. Darker skinned patients may not see results or may need more sessions to see the same results that a pale skinned patient will see in a single session. Second, if the entire facial area is not treated, it will be obvious which areas were treated and which were not.

Patients considering this to help scars become less noticeable are encouraged to schedule a consultation first to ensure their skin type shows positive results that will leave them looking better than ever.

Laser therapy is a wonderful way to treat this skin condition, but patients are advised to decide on the underlying causes to avoid recurring flare-ups. Hormone therapy can alleviate skin conditions caused by hormonal imbalance, dietary changes have been shown to help, and medicated face washes will greatly benefit some patients. Once the underlying cause is addressed, patients can be assured that their skin will look beautiful and stay beautiful.