Mar 24, 2009 9:19 am US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Laser Acne Treatment
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
For some people, acne isn't just a nuisance, but a serious and disfiguring skin problem. Fortunately, there are good treatments available for all but for the most severe cases. One such treatment is showing remarkable results, not with the use of drugs, but rather with a laser.
Being a teenager is tough enough, but add severe acne to the mix and you can imagine what Ashley Torres felt like.
"I was self conscious about how my skin looked, waking up looking in the mirror and I was always breaking out," Torres said. "I wanted to wear makeup all the time, just cover it up. I didn't want to go to school without makeup."
Ashley tried the usual treatments, prescription ointments, creams and antibiotics, but nothing worked for long.
Accutane use is severely restricted. Without other options, young people like Ashley are left scarred both physically and psychologically.
"It really kills their self esteem. They don't have dates, they don't have friends, they don't go to parties," said dermatologist Dr. Judith Hellman. "It can interfere with their jobs, with their job quest."
Fortunately for Ashley, a new laser treatment is clearing up her skin. Protective goggles and a little cooling gel are part of the prep.
Then it's just a few minutes of lasering the acne lesions. The laser energy is absorbed by the blood vessels that give the cysts their nasty red color.
"After a number of treatments, there are no more blood vessels to feed and support the cyst, so the acne simply does not come back," Dr. Hellman said.
It takes four to six treatments to get the cysts to dry up. The laser not only clears the skin but, so far, the results have lasted for three or more years.
Ashley had two treatments and has already seen a significant improvement. "This side before had all breakouts, but now it's all smooth. They were all here, and also I had a lot on my chin, but they've gone down, very smooth."
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