Laser Treatment Of Active Acne

Acne is a condition of the pilosebaceous follicular glands that affects mainly adolescents and young adults and that can be classified as inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Acne is characterized by the presence of comedones, nodules and rashes of papules, pustules and nodulocystic lesions. The lesions are found in areas of higher concentration of sebaceous glands such as face, neck and upper trunk. The four main causal factors are; 1. Sebaceous glandular hyperplasia with excess production of sebum, mediated by androgens. 2. Abnormal follicular keratinization that promotes clogging of the follicles and the formation of comedones. 3. Proliferation of propionibacterium acne (P. acne). Inflammation occurs as a result of P.acnes products. 4. Genetic factors, diet, and stress can contribute to the development and severity of acne. The treatment consists of good skin care, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics and retinoids. Active acne must be differentiated from acne scarring, since it represents the residual damage to the tissue after the inflammation disappears. The pulse laser has been used in the treatment of acne scarring. Recently it has been tried in the treatment of the active phase of acne. Laser therapy at different levels of radiation has been used to destroy active acne lesions and enlarged sebaceous glands. It is postulated that the laser improves the injuries of active acne, reducing the presence of P. acnes that contains porphyrins that are destroyed when exposed to specific wave lengths. Laser also has anti- inflammatory effects and can reduce or limit the healing potential that can occur in severe cases. The FDA has approved several devices for the treatment of acne: · Candela Smoothbeam ™ · CoolTouch® use light in the 1320nm band · Radiancy ClearTouch ™ · MED flash II · Ellipse I2PL in the band of 590-1200nm (intense pulsed light) and those that emit violet or blue light · Band of 414nm and pink light · 633nm band · Aura ™ · Clearligth · Dermillume respectively The indications of each type of light vary according to the type of acne.D <a id="