The Pros and Cons of Acne Laser Treatment

Acne is a skin condition that is most commonly seen in young people but can appear in those of a mature age at any time. It occurs when the oil glands of the skin cause too much oil to be produced. What happens is that the oil that serves as a protective lubricant for the skin becomes trapped in oil ducts that are blocked. This then leads to the development of a very visible and unsightly collection of pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. Some individuals develop cysts which are deeper lesions on the skin.

Acne is a very obvious skin problem that can cause the sufferer a great deal of embarrassment. It can also cause a tremendous amount of undue stress which in turn will make the condition even worse. If you have tried every remedy and treatment out there with little to no results then it may be time for you to look to the laser for the help you need. More and more people are turning to acne laser treatment to improve the quality of their skin and by so doing, the appearance of it as well.

Before you make a definitive decision that acne laser treatment is for you it is important that you consider the pros and cons of the procedure. While laser therapy for acne is a fairly new treatment it has shown favorable results for those who have been disappointed with the results of other treatment methods such as lotions and prescription medications.

The Pros of the Treatment

First let us explore the advantageous side of the skin condition therapy. This treatment method is relatively pain free and initial results begin to show themselves at a rapid pace in most cases. While it is coined as a surgical procedure, it is performed at a hospital or medical clinic on a strictly outpatient basis. That means that overnight stay is not required. You have the procedure and then can go home the same day. Acne laser treatment takes about one hour to complete. The recuperation period is very short and in fact some people would say that there is no recovery time required at all. It is rare for any scarring to take place or for there to be any side effects from the therapy.

The Cons of the Treatment

Then there is the opposite side of the coin which is the disadvantages of the laser work. It would be nice if there were no cons at all but most procedures also have a downside. You need a balanced view of both in order to make the most informed and well educated decision for yourself.

While the laser treatment does not take long to do it rarely works the first time. In fact you will probably need to return for several sessions in order for it to be deemed a success and in order to see results over the long-term. What this means for the patient is that it could take many months before you really get the see the full and dramatic effect of the acne laser treatment. For some individuals this can lead to discouragement and disillusionment with the entire procedure.

Another con of this therapy is that it can be expensive. The more treatments you need the higher the price tag will become. Some insurance companies will pay all or a portion of the bill but this type of treatment is often not covered by health insurance because it is considered cosmetic in nature.