Acne problems can be complicated and in some cases, frustrating. Commonly, mild breakouts can be treated by promoting proper hygiene or using natural home remedies. Some acne problems, on the other hand, may require medications to minimize inflammation and caused pain. However, some other pimple problems, such as those of cystic acne problems do not only trigger severe facial pimple growth, but also leave scars that might not easy to get rid of. Laser treatment is commonly targeted for this kind of serious acne problem, since cystic acne and its effects usually require antibiotics and other medications, while prolonged use of these medications is not advised.

Acne laser treatment

Laser treatment for acne focuses on getting rid of the scars, hyperpigmentation, and skin discoloration that are resulted from severe breakouts. This is the fastest treatment with semi-permanent effect in improving skin problems related to acne. Laser light also improves skin condition undergoing hyperpigmentation and discoloration left after the acne heals. This therapy works by “melting” the melanin and thus, reduces the visibility of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Laser therapies for acne are generally followed by steroid treatments, which are essential for preventing swelling and skin malformation. Despite the potentially effective effects, laser therapies are not going to get rid of acne scars completely and permanently. In fact, it requires some treatments for significant effects on the treated skin area. Another debatable side effect of acne laser treatment is said to be its potential for causing cancer.

Does acne laser treatment cause cancer?

Laser therapy has been used as acne scar treatment since 1980s. This thermal light is aimed at the basal cells underneath the skin in order to inhibit collagen production, which in excessive amount might trigger the formation of scars. In addition, the therapy can also be used for improving skin breakout, as the heat resulted from the light helps breaking excessive oil underneath the skin, getting rid of oil clogs causing acne and pimples.

Laser treatments are used for acne considering its bloodless characteristic, compared to the conventional facial treatments and skin dermabrasion that almost always trigger bleeding. The effects of the treatment are also quite instant and longer than the effects of some conventional acne treatments. However, many people are aware of an opinion that the treatment may cause cancer.

In fact, acne laser treatments do not necessarily cause cancer. The fact is that one of its famous downside is that excessive or improperly-done laser therapies for acne and acne scars may melt the melanin too excessively, causing hyperpigmentation and noticeable discoloration to the surface of the skin. These are often thought as the signs and symptoms of skin cancer caused by laser treatments done for acne. Laser treatments, in fact, may help reducing precancerous and cancerous tissues that involve a wide range of tissues underneath the skin. In spite of this, acne laser treatment does have some downsides that need to be reviewed before you decide to try one, which are:

• This therapy is expensive and usually not covered by insurances. Besides, more than one sessions are required for maximized effects, whilst one session of laser therapy costs up to $1,000.
• Laser therapies may worsen the effects of dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
• The results of laser treatment are precise, as it goes deep to the skin cells, so that you might see a big difference between the treated and untreated skin area. In darker complexion with raised scars or keloid, laser therapies are not likely to work, while instead, an excessive light penetration on the skin may affect the melanin that lead to hyperpigmentation.

Healing acne without laser treatments

Seeing the pros and cons of laser therapies, you might need to reconsider this treatment for your breakout and resulted scars. In fact, there are some other possible treatments you can use for enhancing healthy skin with less visible side effects, such as:

• Microdermabrasion—the treatment is done by buffing your facial skin with micro particles, which will get rid of the dead skin cells and thus, enhance the skin look. This treatment may not give an instant improvement, but will restore your face natural glow within several sessions. Since the treatment works from the skin surface, it rarely causes discoloration and severe hyperpigmentation. However, you need to take care of the skin after the treatment, as it may be prone to infection from the micro open wounds caused by the procedure.
• Use salicylic acid-based acne lotions. If your breakout is not severe, it is better to apply some topical lotions rather than immediately perform laser therapies that is going to affect your cell and melanin structures.
• Improve your diets with those loaded with vitamin E and C, which are going to help improve skin with scars from acne and pimples.