Laser treatment of acne
The energy of the Nd:YAG laser penetrates deep into the skin without damaging the surface and is selectively absorbed by enlarged, inflamed sebaceous glands. As a result, the affected gland shrinks within 1–2 days and the inflammation subsides.
Fractional and combined laser treatments can help smooth scarred, uneven skin surfaces.
In some cases – for example if someone would prefer to avoid demanding oral medication, or if it cannot be used due to pregnancy or family planning – mild to moderate acne can also be treated with this special light therapy.
Acne
Acne is a common skin condition in which spots develop on the face and upper body. It results from the interaction of hormones, sebum and bacteria, which leads to inflammation of the hair follicles. It mostly appears on the face, the upper chest, the shoulders and the back, and is characterised by spots, cysts and sometimes abscesses. Both cysts and abscesses are pus-filled pockets; abscesses are somewhat larger and deeper. The sebaceous glands, which produce an oily substance (sebum), are located in the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, and are connected to the hair follicles. Sebum, together with dead skin cells, travels from the sebaceous gland and the hair follicle through the pores to the skin surface.
Acne develops when dried sebum, shed skin cells and bacteria fill the hair follicle and block the outflow of sebum through the pores. There are two forms:
Blackheads: the duct becomes blocked and is filled with a dark mass.
Whiteheads: a thin membrane forms over the outlet of the sebaceous gland, covering and sealing it completely.
If the blockage is partial, a blackhead (open comedone) is visible; if it is complete, a whitehead (closed comedone) forms. The blocked, sebum-filled follicle encourages the overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes, which causes visible inflammation. (This bacterium is normally present in the hair follicle in small numbers.)
These bacteria break down the fats in sebum and irritate the skin. The resulting inflammation and infection produce the skin changes we know as spots. If the infection worsens, an abscess may form, which can break into the skin and cause further inflammation. Acne appears mainly during adolescence, when rising hormone levels – especially androgens such as testosterone – make the sebaceous glands more active.
By the early twenties hormone production usually stabilises and the spots tend to disappear. Other conditions involving hormonal changes can also lead to acne. In young women, for example, it may appear with each menstrual cycle, and during pregnancy it may either clear up or get considerably worse. Certain medicines – mainly corticosteroids and anabolic steroids – can cause acne by stimulating the sebaceous glands, and some cosmetics can make acne worse by clogging the pores.
The visible symptoms can be very distressing and may affect social life and even work. The greatest risk of acne, however, is scarring, so it is important to see a specialist as early as possible. Alongside a thorough laboratory work-up, specialists may recommend exfoliating creams, a short course of antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives or a course of capsules containing a vitamin A derivative. In recent years, light therapy and laser treatments have also become increasingly popular.
Have a question?
