Laser Therapy What types of laser therapy are there? There are two types of lasers, ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers use a targeted beam of light to remove or resurface the skin, either on a superficial or deep level. This type of laser therapy treatment is used to treat acne scars and can result in a more uniform complexion. The downside is that these type of lasers carry risks, like hypopigmentation (whitening of the skin) or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), infection, or scarring. This type of treatment is definitely not for darker skin tones. This type of laser treatment requires anesthesia, pain management, and long healing times (usually 4 to 6 weeks for skin to crust over and shed and go through the initial healing stage). The other type of laser, non-ablative, uses light in a less risky way. But the results can be inconsistent and it usually takes several treatments of this nature before you see results. There are basically two popular types of non-ablative laser therapies that can help acne sufferers. The first type, known as Photo Rejuvenation, also known as a Photo Facial, is best for those whose acne is mild or has stopped and they are now looking for ways to clear the red marks from their faces. This treatment can lessen the appearance of the red marks and give the skin a more uniform complexion. The treatment takes anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes and feels like a rubber band snapping on your skin. Usually you will need several treatments to see maximum results, but you may notice a big improvement a few days after the first treatment. A Photo Facial treatment averages between $250-700.00. The most common type of non-ablative laser treatment for active acne is known as blue light therapy.  © 1995-2011 Autumn Publishing. No Reproduction Permitted Of Any Kind. Protected And Enforced By The Digital Millennium Copyright Act. All Rights Reserved World Wide. |