Innovative laser and light treatments to tackle acne, rosacea, sun damage and signs of aging

Millions of Americans suffer from skin conditions that affect their appearance and can cause emotional and social distress. Thanks to technological advances, many of these conditions are treatable with laser and light therapies which offer a faster way to improve appearance with less recovery time and a higher degree of safety.

Speaking at ACADEMY '05, the American Academy of Dermatology's summer scientific meeting, dermatologist Arielle N.B. Kauvar, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine in New York City, discussed how innovative laser and light treatments, used alone or in combination with light-activated skin medications, are advancing dermatologists' ability to treat a variety of skin conditions including acne, rosacea and sun damage.

"In the past, treatments for some skin conditions could be quite involved, leaving the patient with visible side effects and a long recovery time," said Dr. Kauvar. "With today's laser and light treatments, dermatologists can safely and effectively remove the visible signs of a variety of skin conditions with faster results and a shorter recovery time for the patient."

Acne

More than 80 percent of Americans are affected by acne, which is most common in teenagers. There are three major factors that cause acne: the overproduction of oil by enlarged oil glands in the skin; blockage of the hair follicles that release the oil; and a growth of bacteria called P. acnes within the hair follicles.

New laser and light treatments can specifically target two of these factors: excessive oil production by enlarged oil glands and the overgrowth of P. acnes bacteria. Several laser systems, including the diode, YAG and erbium glass, use heat to damage the oil glands. Photodynamic therapy, a treatment that uses the combination of a photosensitizing medication called aminolevulinic acid with laser and light treatment, also targets the oil glands and P. acnes bacteria. Each of these treatments reduce the overproduction of oil and help diminish, and in some cases completely remove, acne.

"The biggest benefit of these laser and light therapies is that they treat the affected area without harming the surrounding skin," said Dr. Kauvar. "Another benefit is they promote collagen formation and renewal which helps diminish acne scarring."

Other light and laser therapies include narrow band blue light, KTP (green light), pulsed dye lasers (yellow light) and intense pulsed light (IPL) devices which destroy the P. acnes bacteria. These treatments are non- invasive, but may leave the patient with mild pinkness that lasts for a few hours. Photodynamic therapy may leave patients with a sunburn-like reaction, such as redness and light peeling, for up to two-to-three days. "Depending on the technique that is being used, a series of four-to-six treatments delivered at two-to-four week intervals can produce long-term remissions in acne," said Dr. Kauvar.

Rosacea

An estimated 14 million Americans suffer from the facial redness and swelling of rosacea, and according to a survey by the National Rosacea Society, nearly 70 percent of rosacea patients reported lower self-confidence and self-esteem because of the condition. Rosacea is most common in fair- skinned people and usually begins as a tendency to blush easily. The condition can occur over a long period of time and often progresses to a persistent redness of the face with visible blood vessels, pimples and in its most severe form, enlarged oil glands with thickening of the nose called rhinophyma.

In the past, antibiotics, both topical and oral, were the primary treatment for rosacea. Today new laser treatments, including KTP and pulsed dye lasers, can simultaneously treat the redness and the visible blood vessels with minimal discomfort and bruising. These lasers work by using heat to seal the blood vessels from the inside out, causing the vessels to collapse and effectively prevent the body from producing the excessive facial redness.

"Depending on the severity of the condition, a series of two-to-five treatments over a period of weeks will cause the redness and pimples to gradually disappear," explained Dr. Kauvar. "Patients may need to return annually for treatment of new blood vessels."

Sun Damage and Signs of Aging

Almost everyone who has spent time in the sun has something to show for it -- sun damage and signs of aging. Wrinkles, brown spots, loss of elasticity and actinic keratoses (AKs) are all signs of sun damage that can be treated by non-invasive laser and light therapies. Non-invasive lasers that target pigment (KTP, alexandrite, ruby lasers and IPL) or blood vessels (KTP, pulsed dye laser and IPL) are used to remove red and brown blotches associated with years of sun exposure. Other lasers (YAG, diode and erbium glass) can stimulate new collagen in the skin, thereby improving fine lines, skin texture and acne scars.

In addition to improving the visible signs of skin aging -- red and brown blotches, sallowness and wrinkling -- photodynamic therapy can enhance the health of the skin by destroying abnormal growths. When aminolevulinic acid is applied to the sun damaged skin, the medication accumulates in abnormal cells. Laser treatment activates the medication to destroy these abnormal calls. This treatment, termed "photodynamic photorejuvenation," will rid the skin of early cancerous cells and growths while reducing redness, brown blotches and improving the overall skin texture and appearance.

"The advantage of these new laser and light therapies is that they work beneath the surface of the skin layer to improve a variety of bothersome skin conditions," said Dr. Kauvar. "A dermatologist can determine your best treatment."

Source: http://www.aad.org/