Nearly everyone suffers from acne at some point in their lives. Some people survive acne outbreaks while others are not so fortunate. There are many different solutions to treat acne. Some of the common ones include over-the-counter ointments, prescription drugs and home therapy. However, the quickest and most effective method to treat acne is by laser acne treatment.
How does laser treatment work?
Acne is usually caused due to overactive sebaceous glands. These glands release sebum which helps to moisturise the skin. However, excess of sebum clogs the pores and makes the skin oily. This in turn attracts dust and dirt which causes the skin to inflame. The laser targets the sebaceous glands and shrinks them in size. This reduces the amount of sebum being produced by the skin. The laser also burns off the upper skin layer thereby exposing the new and unblemished layer beneath.
What precautions do you need to take prior to laser acne treatment?
First and foremost, it is important to inform your dermatologist of any prescription pills you might have been consuming prior to treating the acne. Secondly, it is important to inform your doctor if you suffer from any other skin conditions like herpes, scabies or ring worm. The doctors will then determine if you are eligible to undergo the procedure.
Precautions needed after the procedure
Ensure that you do not expose the treated part to the sun for 1-2 weeks after undergoing the procedure. Also, avoid scrubbing the treated area during showering as this can cause redness. Slight swelling is common. You can control the swelling using ice packs.
