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If you currently have or have ever had severe acne, you know how painful it is. Not just the physical pain of it, but more importantly, the emotional and social pain it causes. Acne starts as a result of hormones released during puberty. Adolescents can be very cruel to each other. Physical appearance is criticized. If you are not perfect and part of the status quo, you are made fun of, ridiculed, and ostracized by your peers. At an age where you need acceptance, all you get is rejection simply because your skin is not perfect. Because of its social stigma, acne is one of the leading reasons young people go to a dermatologist.

What is Acne?

Acne is a condition where the pores of the skin are clogged by excess oil, dead skin cells, and dirt. This causes the formation of blackheads and whiteheads in the skin. Bacteria then build up because of the blockage, causing pimples. Acne can be as minor as an occasional pimple or as severe as cystic acne, also known as inflammatory acne. This type of acne can cause severe scarring of the skin. Laser treatments have long been used to treat and erase scarring. Recently, laser treat have been tried for the prevention of acne too. The laser can do one of three things:

1. Burn away the hair follicle sac
2. Burn away the oil gland
3. Make oxygen form in the acne-causing bacteria, which kills them

Long Term Effects

Lasers for the prevention of acne is still very new, so the long-term effects are not yet known. Researchers think that there may be side effects of dark spots or excessive dryness of the skin. Only small studies have been done so far in the United States for short periods of time, and the results were disappointing. European studies have shown more promising results, however. One thing is clear, more studies need to be done in order for people to take advantage of this therapy.

Cost

Laser Therapy treatments can be expensive. Because of this, they are not for everyone. Only after traditional options have been tried and failed should laser treatments be considered. Generally the cost of laser therapy treatments are not covered by insurance. You should also make sure that the laser_therapy_clinic where you are treated is fully licensed and registered.

Summary

Because acne is such an emotionally charged issue, be sure you are getting accurate, professional advice. Consult with a dermatologist that you feel confident in. Make sure you fully understand all your options for your particular case of acne. Help is available for your skin condition, and more importantly, for your self-esteem.

Learn more about this author, Doreen Martel.
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