Acne breakouts can be frustrating and painful, leaving you feeling self-conscious – this is where our laser treatment for face comes in. Although acne can be persistent, it is important to know that it is not a permanent condition and can be treated in many ways. One of the ways that acne can be targeted is with laser treatment for face.
In this article, we will discuss the skin condition that leads to active acne, acne scarring, and enlarged pores. Furthermore, we will look at how laser treatment for face can combat these concerns. If this is something that you are interested in, continue reading to find out more.
What Is Acne And How Does Laser Treatment For Face Work?
Acne is one of the most common skin concerns and conditions. It can affect both teenagers and adults and commonly appears on the face, neck, chest, and back. Active acne is an inflammatory condition where the pores in the skin become clogged with debris such as sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria. In each hair follicle, there are Sebaceous glands which secrete sebum.
Sebum is an important oily substance that protects your skin from drying out, however, an excess of sebum can result in clogged pores and oily skin, which leads to acne. Additionally, the oily condition of the skin can trap bacteria. Clogged pores can cause inflammation, swelling, and pus-filled bumps. There are various causes of active acne; what’s important to know now is that active acne can be treated with medication, lifestyle changes, and with laser treatment for face care.
At NuSkinnovation, we treat active acne with a laser treatment for face. We use the Fotona laser, which has two wavelengths of light, to combat different aspects of acne. The two wavelengths of the sophisticated laser are Nd:YAG and Er:YAG. As noted, acne appears when there is excess sebum secreted from the sebaceous glands, which are found in hair follicles.
The Nd:YAG wavelength, emitted from the Fotona laser, selectively targets overactive sebaceous glands to destroy them. This is to make the skin less oily and prevent pores from clogging up. The second wavelength, Er:YAG, reaches deeper layers in the skin to promote the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that provides structure to the skin and helps new healthy cells grow – it also plays a prominent role in replacing dead skin cells. This is why the production of collagen can improve acne scarring by producing healthy skin cells.
At NuSkinnovation, we take the comfort of our clients very seriously. Before any procedure is done at our clinics, we perform a skin consultation. This is so that our skin specialists can get a good understanding of your needs and aesthetic goals. They will help set out a plan for your skin and assist you in choosing a treatment plan that works for you. Before a laser treatment for face to treat acne, you will have to set up a consultation so that we can get to know you and your skin.
The actual treatment can take twenty to thirty minutes. You will lie down on a comfortable treatment bed and be provided with protective eyewear. The laser produces a powerful light, which you need to shield your eyes from. The energy produced from the light transfers to heat, which is then absorbed by the skin. As a result of the heat, you may feel a mild tingling sensation and warmth in the skin, however, this feeling is usually mild and tolerable. This treatment can be done on any part of the skin affected by active acne.
The laser treatment for face to treat active acne is non-invasive, safe, and has very few side effects. After the treatment, you may have some redness and swelling, however, this usually subsides within a few hours. You should avoid direct sun exposure for at least a week after the treatment. If you haven’t got one already, you should develop a skincare routine to help keep your skin healthy. Remember to cleanse your skin in the morning and the evening and apply moisturiser and sunscreen throughout the day.
It is difficult to say how many sessions you may need with laser treatment for face to treat acne. This will depend on a variety of factors, including your skin type, the severity of the acne, as well as your skin’s response to the treatment. On average, most clients see significant improvement after 3 to 6 sessions. Each session needs to be spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart to allow the skin barrier to repair.
Dealing With Acne Scarring And Enlarged Pores
Severe acne can lead to skin damage and lead to scarring. When acne is picked at, the skin doesn’t get a chance to heal and scar tissue develops. In some cases, it can cause pitted areas in the skin. Additionally, acne can stretch out the pores in the skin and cause them to enlarge – this can leave the skin looking dull. Luckily, at NuSkinnovation we have a laser treatment for face program to deal with acne scarring and enlarged pores. There are two options we have for the treatment of acne scarring and enlarged pores.
Treating Acne Scarring
To treat acne scarring at NuSkinnovation, we use an ablative laser. The laser targets the affected area and vaporises the skin to make a controlled injury. This calculated choice is made to trigger the skin’s natural healing process. Collagen in the skin reproduces healthy skin cells to bring the result of smooth and even skin.
If you are wanting to treat active acne as described previously, the Fotona laser targets both acne and acne scarring. When treating acne scarring alone, the ablative technique is used. You might start to see results 2 – 4 weeks after the treatment. After the healing process, your skin therapist may be able to tell you if more sessions will be required. Everyone’s skin is different, and because of this, every individual’s results will be different.
The Cause Of Enlarged Pores
As noted, acne can result in enlarged pores, as pimples on the skin can stretch out pores. However, various factors can result in enlarged pores. Following, we outline factors relating to genetics, age, sun exposure, hormonal changes, and poor skin hygiene.
The overproduction of sebum, the oily substance that prevents the skin from drying out, is correlated with enlarged pores. People with naturally oily skin tend to have enlarged pores, which is largely driven by genetics. Another internal factor in the body is changes in hormones. Hormonal changes occur during various stages in our lives, such as during puberty, menstruation, and menopause. Additionally, stress can result in a change in the balance of hormones. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to an increase in the production of sebum, resulting in pore enlargement.
Age also plays a factor because as we age, our skin loses elasticity as collagen production decreases. Collagen provides structure and elasticity to the skin, so as we age our skin might begin to stretch and sag, which can make pores appear larger. Prolonged exposure to the sun can decrease collagen production and hydration levels in the skin. This can also cause the skin to sag, resulting in the pore opening to stretch. It is vital to drink enough water to keep your skin healthy and wear sunscreen to protect the skin from harsh UV rays.
The use of heavy make-up and skincare that is not suited to your skin can result in clogged pores. Additionally, when dirt and dead skin cells accumulate on the skin, they can get trapped in the pores. Eventually, clogged pores can lead to pores appearing larger. It has already been noted that clogged pores can lead to acne, which can also leave pores enlarged.
Treating Enlarged Pores
Enlarged pores can be treated in many ways. If you want to try laser treatment for face, visit one of our NuSkinnovation clinics to book your consultation, or simply give us a call. We use the technique of an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or the Fotona laser resurfacing. The process stimulates the production of collagen in the layers of the skin.
At NuSkinnovation, we take care to offer you comfort by explaining the process of our treatments. This way, you know exactly what to expect in the laser treatment for face. During your treatment to deal with enlarged pores, the skin will be cleansed, and you will be provided protective eyewear to shield your eyes from the light of the laser. Our skilled laser specialists will handle a device which will target the affected areas on the skin.
As the laser emits heat with the powerful light, you might feel a warm sensation during the treatment. This is not too uncomfortable, but if you feel anything unusual, our skin specialists will happily hear your concerns. The length of the treatment will depend on the size of the affected area. If the target area is the face, the treatment generally takes around 30 minutes.
It is normal to experience some swelling and redness after laser treatment for face care. It is important to know the side effects of any treatment prior to the procedure so that you know what to expect and how to spot anything unusual. A few days after the treatment, your skin may begin to appear flaky and dry. This is the result of skin resurfacing, once the dryness subsides, smoother skin will appear underneath.
You should avoid peeling back dry skin, as this can lead to complications in the healing process. The skin needs to be protected with sunscreen and moisturiser to deal with the dryness. Our skin specialists may be able to suggest one that works for your skin. After laser treatment, you need to avoid direct sunlight for at least a week after the procedure. Typically, clients can see results within a few days to a week after the treatment.
The number of sessions needed for this procedure will depend on your skin type and the extent of the pores you wish to address. After the first session, you and your skin specialist can determine how many sessions you may need. Generally, three to six treatments help clients reach their goals.
About NuSkinnovation
NuSkinnovation is an aesthetic clinic with branches all over South Africa. We have skilled technicians and skin therapists who can perform an array of laser treatments for face care. We do laser hair removal, laser for skin rejuvenation, and so much more. If you are interested in learning more about laser treatments, head over to our website to find out more.