What is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory condition of the skin’s pilosebaceous units (hair follicles and oil glands). It develops when pores become clogged with excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells, creating an environment where bacteria (especially Cutibacterium acnes, formerly P. acnes) can thrive. This leads to inflammation and the visible lesions of acne. Acne lesions come in different forms:

• Comedones: Clogged pores, which can be open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads).

   

• Inflammatory Lesions: Red pimples (papules), pus-filled pimples (pustules), and deeper painful lumps (nodules or cysts).

   

Acne is very common – about 85% of people between ages 12 and 24 experience at least mild acne. While it is not dangerous to physical health, acne can impact self-esteem and, in severe cases, lead to permanent scars. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments and skin care strategies to manage acne and improve skin clarity.

Causes of Acne

The development of acne is multifactorial. Key causes and contributing factors include:

• Excess Sebum (Oil) Production: Overactive sebaceous (oil) glands (often influenced by hormones like androgens) produce too much oil, which can clog pores. Hormonal changes during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can trigger increased oil production. For example, higher androgen levels stimulate glands to secrete more sebum, which in turn can lead to blocked pores and acne lesions. Interestingly, oestrogen has the opposite effect – it tends to reduce sebum – which is why some women’s acne improves certain birth control pills.

   

• Abnormal Skin Cell Shedding: In acne-prone skin, the normal life cycle of skin cells lining the pores is altered. Dead cells do not shed properly and instead accumulate, mixing with oil to form a plug (the comedo). This plug blocks the pore opening, leading to blackheads (if the plug is open to air and darkens due to oxidization – like an apple) or whiteheads (if closed over by skin).

   

• Bacteria: Within clogged pores, bacteria multiply. The main bug is Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes), a normal skin bacterium that can overgrow in trapped oil. This bacterium feeds on sebum and releases substances that trigger inflammation. The immune response to C. acnes contributes to the redness and swelling of pimples.

   

• Inflammation: The body’s inflammatory response to bacteria and clogged pores produces the red, tender bumps of acne. Inflammation can also lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dark spots after pimples heal, especially in darker skin types.

   

Hormones play a central role in acne. During puberty, increased androgen hormones (like testosterone) enlarge oil glands and ramp up oil production. Many women notice cyclical acne flares pre-menstrually due to hormone fluctuations. Hormonal medications (like corticosteroids or certain birth control types) can also influence breakouts. Genetics is another factor – if your close relatives had severe acne, you may be more prone.

Factors That Can Aggravate Acne

While the above processes cause acne, several external or lifestyle factors can trigger or worsen breakouts:

• Greasy or Comedogenic Products: Using heavy, oil-based cosmetics, creams, or sunscreens can clog pores. For example, products with mineral oil or petrolatum, or certain makeup ingredients, may block pores and foster acne. It’s best to choose products labeled “non-comedogenic” (formulated not to clog pores). Water-based or gel formulations are generally safer for acne-prone skin than thick oil-based ones.

   

• Poor Skin Hygiene or Irritation: Infrequent face washing, not removing makeup at night, or excessive sweating under occlusive clothing can contribute to clogged pores. However, over-cleansing or harsh scrubbing can also aggravate acne by irritating the skin. Repetitive friction or pressure on skin (from sports helmets, tight straps, or face masks) can cause a type of acne (“acne mechanica”). Picking or squeezing pimples should be avoided – this can push inflammation deeper and lead to worse scarring. Dr. Chris recommends

   

• Stress: High stress levels prompt the release of cortisol (a stress hormone) which can exacerbate acne. Cortisol can increase oil production and inflammation. Many patients notice their breakouts worsen during stressful periods (school exams, job stress, etc.).

   

• Diet: Emerging research links certain diets to acne flares. High-glycemic-index foods (simple sugars, white breads, sugary drinks) can spike blood sugar and insulin, which may increase oil gland activity and inflammation, potentially worsening acne. Some studies also find an association between dairy consumption (especially skim milk) and acne in some people. It’s thought that hormones or bioactive molecules in milk might influence acne. Additionally, diets very high in omega-6 fatty acids (common in processed oils) and low in omega-3s might promote inflammation and aggravate acne. Not everyone is equally affected by diet, but moderating sugary foods and excessive dairy might help some acne patients. In general it’s always just a good idea to eat healthy and in moderation!

   

• Environmental Factors: Heavy sweating and high humidity can swell the skin and make pores more likely to clog (e.g. acne often flares in hot, humid climates or with wearing sweaty athletic gear). On the other hand, sun exposure is often thought to “dry out” pimples, but it can backfire; UV exposure can darken post-acne spots and trigger more inflammation. In some cases, sunlight can aggravate acne or cause breakouts due to heat and sweat, and certain acne medications make you sun-sensitive.

   

• Certain Medications and Chemicals: Some drugs can induce acne or acne-like eruptions (for example, anabolic steroids, lithium, certain anti-seizure meds, and high-dose vitamin B12). Greasy occupational exposures (like working in a kitchen with oil splatters) or using pomade hair products can cause acne on the forehead.

   

Bottom line: To minimize flare-ups, be mindful of products you apply to your skin and lifestyle factors. Use gentle skin care (avoid over-washing or harsh scrubs), manage stress, and consider if diet changes affect your skin. While these factors may not be the primary cause of acne, addressing them can help improve your overall skin condition.

Skin Care Do’s and Don’ts for Acne-Prone Skin

Every effective acne treatment plan starts with proper daily skin care. Here are evidence-based guidelines for caring for acne-prone skin:

• Do: Cleanse Gently Twice Daily. Wash your face twice a day (morning and night) and after heavy sweating. Use a mild, synthetic detergent cleanser (soap-free cleanser) with lukewarm water. Gentle, pH-balanced cleansers (e.g. Cetaphil or similar) remove dirt and oil without overly stripping the skin or causing irritation. Apply cleanser with your fingertips – avoid scrubbing with rough washcloths or brushes, which can irritate the skin.

   

• Don’t: Scrub or Over-Exfoliate. Harsh scrubbing does not “clean out” pores; it actually can worsen inflammation. Avoid grainy scrubs, stiff cleansing brushes, or anything that irritates the skin. Over-exfoliating can compromise the skin barrier and trigger more oil production and redness, making acne worse.

   

• Do: Use Non-Comedogenic Products. Choose “non-comedogenic” (non-pore-clogging) and oil-free makeup, sunscreen, and moisturizers. Water-based or gel formulations are ideal. For example, if you use a sunscreen or foundation, look for labels that say oil-free and non-comedogenic. Heavy, occlusive products (like cold creams or petroleum jelly on the face) can block pores – save those for non-facial use or extremely dry, unaffected skin areas.

   

• Don’t: Sleep in Makeup (or sunscreen!). Always remove cosmetics before bedtime. Going to sleep with makeup (or daily grime) on the skin can clog pores overnight. Use a gentle makeup remover or micellar water followed by your cleanser at night. I find men often forget they need to gently clean off any sunscreen at night, this is very important even if it is “non-comedogenic”.

   

• Do: Moisturize and Protect Your Skin Barrier. Acne treatments (like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids) can be drying, so a light non-comedogenic moisturizer helps keep skin calm. Look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide – these hydrate and soothe without causing breakouts. Niacinamide (vitamin B₃) is especially helpful: it can reduce inflammation and even decrease oil production with regular use. In clinical studies, 2%–5% niacinamide topicals significantly lowered sebum output and improved acne, all while being very well-tolerated on the skin. Niacinamide can also help lighten dark marks from past acne (ie. reduce some post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

   

• Don’t: Pick, Pop, or Squeeze Pimples. It’s tempting, but try to keep your hands off active lesions. Squeezing pimples can push bacteria and debris deeper, worsening inflammation or causing a ruptured cyst under the skin. This often leads to more prolonged redness and increases the risk of acne scars. Instead, use proper treatments to reduce pimples, and see a professional for extractions if needed. In a pinch at The Skin Doctor we can fix a particularly troublesome acne spot with laser or other treatments if you need a “quick fix”.

   

• Do: Be Cautious with Irritants. Some skincare ingredients and habits can irritate acne-prone skin. Limit use of strong astringents or toners with high alcohol content – these can overdry and irritate the skin (and paradoxically, very dry skin may produce more oil to compensate). If you use an exfoliating acid (like glycolic or salicylic acid), don’t combine too many at once or use at high concentrations, as this can cause irritation that triggers breakouts.

   

• Don’t: Use Harsh Soaps or Sulfates. Avoid old-fashioned bar soaps or cleansers with harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate. These have high pH and strip away natural oils, which can lead to irritation and rebound oil production. Stick to mild cleansers as noted above.
  

Over-the-Counter treatments

• Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO): An antibacterial and keratolytic agent. BPO kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin and also helps to unclog pores by drying excess oil and sloughing off dead cells. It’s very effective for inflammatory acne. Interestingly, studies show lower concentrations (2.5%) can be just as effective as high concentrations with potentially less irritation, so start low if you have sensitive skin. BPO can cause some dryness or peeling – using a light moisturizer can help. (Be careful with fabrics: benzoyl peroxide can bleach towels or pillowcases.)

   

• Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid): A gentle chemical exfoliant that unclogs pores. Salicylic acid penetrates into pores and helps remove dead skin cells, preventing them from plugging follicles. It’s great for treating blackheads and whiteheads. OTC salicylic acid products are usually 0.5% to 2%. It can cause mild stinging or dryness in some people, so start with once daily use.
  

   

• Azelaic Acid: A naturally derived acid with antibacterial and keratolytic properties. Azelaic acid (10% in some OTC gels, 15–20% by prescription) helps prevent pores from plugging and can kill C. acnes bacteria on the skin. It also has the benefit of improving post-acne hyperpigmentation (dark spots) over time. It’s generally well-tolerated; any mild tingling usually subsides as you continue use.

   

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Ingredients like glycolic acid or lactic acid are often in acne pads or serums. They work by exfoliating the surface of the skin, which can help keep pores clear and also smooth the skin. AHAs also have an added benefit of fading red or brown marks and improving skin texture (useful for mild acne scarring or large pores). Use AHAs as directed (a few times a week) to avoid irritation, and wear sunscreen, as they can increase sun sensitivity.

   

• Sulfur and Others: Sulfur, often combined with zinc or resorcinol in creams, can help unclog pores and has a drying effect on pimples. It’s an older remedy and can be useful for spot treatment or if you’re very sensitive to other actives. It sometimes has a noticeable odor. Other OTC ingredients sometimes found in acne products include tea tree oil (a natural antibacterial, though it can be irritating for some) and resorcinol (helps break down blackheads).

   

Prescription Treatments

Prescription Topical Therapies: For persistent acne, Dr. Chris prescribes stronger topicals or combination products:

• Topical Antibiotics: Such as clindamycin or erythromycin gels/lotions, which suppress C. acnes bacteria and reduce inflammation. These are often used in combination with benzoyl peroxide (to prevent antibiotic resistance and boost effectiveness).

   

• Stronger Retinoids: Tretinoin (Retin-A), adapalene in higher strength (0.3%), or tazarotene are Rx retinoids that may be used if OTC adapalene isn’t sufficient. They all target comedones and inflammation effectively over time. I generally prefer Aklief over older topical retinoids

   

• Dapsone Gel: A newer topical (5% or 7.5% dapsone) that can help inflammatory acne, especially in adult women. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can be used alongside other treatments.

   

Oral Medications: These treat acne systemically and are typically for moderate to severe cases, or acne that doesn’t improve with topicals:

• Oral Antibiotics: Doxycycline, minocycline, lymecycline, or others can be prescribed for a few months to reduce C. acnes bacteria and inflammation from the inside out. They often lead to improvement in moderate-to-severe inflammatory acne. Antibiotics are usually a short-term tool, used in combination with topicals, and the goal is to taper off to avoid resistance.

   

• Hormonal Therapies: Because hormones (androgens) drive acne, treatments that adjust hormone levels can be very effective, especially in women. Combination oral contraceptive pills (estrogen + progestin) can significantly improve acne in many women by balancing hormone levels. Another medication, spironolactone, is an oral anti-androgen (off-label for acne) that helps by blocking androgen receptors in the skin – reducing oil production. It’s often used in adult women with stubborn jawline or hormonal acne. (These aren’t used in men due to hormonal effects.)

   

• Isotretinoin (Accutane): This is a powerful oral retinoid for severe cystic or resistant acne. Isotretinoin can essentially “shut down” acne by dramatically reducing sebum production and shrinking oil glands, and by affecting skin cell turnover and bacteria – it addresses all causes of acne. A course of isotretinoin (typically 5–6 months) can lead to long-term remission or even cure of acne in many cases. However, it has significant side effects (notably birth defects if taken during pregnancy, dryness, and requires blood test monitoring). It’s reserved for severe cases or those unresponsive to other treatments, under close medical supervision.

   

Procedural Treatments: Dermatologists and cosmetic clinics also offer procedures that can help acne:

• Chemical Peels: Light chemical peels (using acids like salicylic, glycolic, or Jessner’s solution) can exfoliate the skin, clear out pores, and help with superficial acne and post-acne marks. They are usually done in a series.

   

• Comedone Extraction: Trained professionals can manually extract blackheads and whiteheads in a safe, sterile manner to jump-start clearing of clogged pores – often done as part of a facial or acne surgery appointment.

   

• Intralesional Cortisone Injections: For a huge, painful cyst or nodule, a tiny injection of dilute corticosteroid by a doctor can rapidly reduce inflammation and shrink the cyst within 1–2 days, preventing it from scarring. This is a quick fix for those “emergency” big pimples (e.g., right before a big event).

   

The best acne treatment plans often combine methods – for example, a topical retinoid + benzoyl peroxide, or an oral antibiotic + benzoyl peroxide + non-comedogenic skin care. Your provider will tailor a regimen to your skin. It’s important to use medications as directed and be patient: most treatments take several weeks to 3 months to show full effect. It’s normal for acne to sometimes look a little worse before it gets better when starting treatments (especially retinoids). Stick with it and maintain follow-ups with your skin specialist.

LED Light Therapy for Acne

One of the newer additions to acne treatment is LED light therapy, a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to improve the skin. LED (light-emitting diode) therapy has become a popular adjunct for managing mild to moderate acne, especially in cosmetic and dermatology clinics. How does light help acne? Different colors (wavelengths) of light penetrate the skin to different depths and have unique effects:

• Blue Light (around 415 nm): Reaches the uppermost skin layers and has an antibacterial effect. Blue light causes C. acnes bacteria to produce reactive oxygen species that essentially self-destruct the bacteria. By killing acne-causing bacteria, blue light helps reduce inflammatory pimplesmy.clevelandclinic.orgmy.clevelandclinic.org. Blue light therapy can specifically target the bacteria in pores without the use of antibiotics.

   

• Red Light (around 633 nm): Penetrates deeper than blue light. Red light has an anti-inflammatory effect and can stimulate cellular activity and healing. It reduces redness and swelling and may also promote collagen production for repairmy.clevelandclinic.orgmy.clevelandclinic.org. In acne, red light can calm inflammation and potentially improve skin texture and support healing of blemishes.

   

• Near-Infrared Light (around 830 nm): Penetrates deepest (even into the dermis). Infrared can further reduce inflammation and may influence sebaceous glands. Often red and near-IR are used together for skin rejuvenation and to accelerate healing of tissue.

   

• (Other colors like green or yellow are used more for pigment or redness issues, but not primary for acne. Yellow (590 nm) for example can help with redness and healing, green for pigmentation. These are sometimes included in LED devices for versatility.)

   

LED phototherapy is appealing because it’s gentle, painless, and has no downtime. A typical in-office session involves lying under an array of LED lights for about 15–20 minutes while the machine emits specific wavelengths onto the skin. The treatment is painless (you’ll just feel a warm glow), and you wear goggles to protect your eyes from the bright light.

MediLUX LED device being used in a clinical setting. This medical-grade LED machine delivers high-intensity blue, red, and other wavelengths to treat acne and improve skin health.

Not all LED devices are the same. Professional, in-clinic LED systems (such as the MediLUX device) use higher power outputs and sometimes multiple wavelengths simultaneously for maximal effect. MediLUX is an Australian-engineered medical-grade LED machine that offers five different colors (Blue 415 nm, Green 520 nm, Yellow 590 nm, Red 633 nm, Near-IR 830 nm) for various skin concernstheglobalbeautygroup.com.au. It delivers one of the highest power outputs in the industry – for example, its blue light intensity is ~105 mW/cm² and red light ~115 mW/cm², which is significantly higher than most consumer devicestheglobalbeautygroup.com.au. This high power means more therapeutic light energy reaches the skin, potentially leading to better and faster results. MediLUX has specific pre-programmed protocols, including an acne program, that uses blue light to kill bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation in a 20-minute sessiontheglobalbeautygroup.com.au. Clinical before-and-after cases with MediLUX show visible reduction in breakouts, redness, and improved skin clarity after a series of treatmentstheglobalbeautygroup.com.autheglobalbeautygroup.com.au.

In contrast, at-home LED masks or handheld devices are far less powerful. They can be used daily and may provide modest benefits, but they typically don’t match the strength of in-office machines. In fact, dermatologists note that in-office LED treatments use much higher energy; professional LED therapy is roughly 10 times more powerful than at-home LED devices, making it more effective for acne and skin rejuvenationmy.clevelandclinic.orgcaci.co.nz. With home devices, you might see mild improvements if used consistently over a long period, but you generally “won’t see dramatic acne-clearing results” as you would with medical-grade LED treatmentsmy.clevelandclinic.org. For example, one clinic noted their in-clinic LED is 10x stronger than popular home LED maskscaci.co.nz.

Efficacy: Does LED therapy really work for acne? Yes – when used properly and in the right cases. Research (including a review of studies up to 2023) suggests that blue and red light therapy can significantly improve inflammatory acnepmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In one systematic review, 95% of patients treated with visible light (mostly blue or blue+red combinations) showed improvement in their acne lesionspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Around 4% achieved complete clearance, and the majority had partial reductions in lesion counts. Blue light in particular was shown to provide a rapid reduction in acne lesions – in some cases half the pimples were gone by 4 weeks of treatment, and some patients saw improvements as early as 1–2 weeks into therapypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Combining blue and red light yielded the highest rates of clearing in some studies, presumably due to the dual mechanism on bacteria and inflammationpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

It’s important to set the right expectations: LED therapy is best for mild to moderate acne, especially the inflammatory type (red pimples). It can speed up the improvement of breakouts and help calm ongoing acne. However, it is not a standalone cure for severe acne, and it often works best in combination with traditional treatments (like using LED along with your topical regimen). LED light has limitations: it does not treat deep cysts effectively (cystic acne is too deep and hormonally driven), and it doesn’t do much for purely comedonal acne like blackheads/whiteheadsmy.clevelandclinic.org. Also, results are not permanent – continued maintenance treatments may be required.

Typical Treatment Course: In a clinical setting, you might be advised to do LED treatments 1–2 times per week for about 4–8 weeks. Many patients will then do maintenance sessions monthly or as needed. Each session is quick (about 20 minutes). Because it’s so safe and gentle, there’s essentially no downtime – you can go right back to activities afterward (just use sunscreen if advised, as some light can make you a bit photosensitive for a day or so).

Safety: LED therapy is very safe. It’s non-UV, so there’s no risk of UV damage. Side effects are minimal: some people experience temporary skin dryness or slight redness after treatmentspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Occasionally, if combined with certain photosensitive medications or if someone has a condition like lupus or a history of light-triggered seizures, it should be used with caution – but those are rare situations. Interestingly, one should not use blue light therapy if on certain medications like isotretinoin or lithium that increase light sensitivitymy.clevelandclinic.org. Also, a very long cumulative exposure to blue light might contribute to skin aging over time due to free radicalsmy.clevelandclinic.org, but in the controlled doses used for acne this is not a major concern.

In summary, LED phototherapy is a useful add-on for treating acne. It’s relaxing, pain-free, and can reduce pimples and inflammation without drugs. In our practice, we often incorporate MediLUX LED sessions for patients who want to boost their clearing or reduce inflammation faster, or for those who cannot tolerate more medications (like during pregnancy, when options are limited). And while at-home LED gadgets exist, the professional-grade devices (like MediLUX) are much more potent and have shown superior results in reducing breakoutsmy.clevelandclinic.org. Think of LED as a helpful boost to your acne regimen, not necessarily a total replacement for other therapies. When combined with proper skin care and perhaps topical treatments, it can significantly improve skin clarity and help keep acne under better control.

Laser Treatments for Acne

Lasers represent a more aggressive, technology-driven approach to treating acne and even the scars it can leave behind. In a cosmetic dermatology setting, laser treatments can target acne on multiple fronts: reducing active breakouts, decreasing oil production, calming redness, and improving skin texture or scars. There are different types of lasers and light-based devices, each with specific targets. A key point is that no single laser can fix everything – but certain lasers are excellent for particular aspects of acne. Here we’ll focus on laser treatments for active acne and mention how some also help with acne scarring.

How Lasers Work on Acne: Laser devices produce focused light of specific wavelengths that cause controlled thermal (heat) or other photobiologic effects in the skin. For acne, lasers can:

• Kill Acne Bacteria: Some lasers (and intense pulsed light, IPL) emit light that activates compounds in C. acnes bacteria, leading to bacterial destruction similar to blue light. This reduces the bacterial load in the skin.

   

• Shrink Sebaceous Glands: Certain laser wavelengths penetrate deep enough to heat the sebaceous (oil) glands and thermally damage or shrink them, thus decreasing oil production. Less oil means pores are less likely to clog and bacteria have less to feed onfotona.comcocodermatology.com. For example, a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser can reach the depth of oil glands and, when used with the right settings, cause selective heating of those glands to reduce their activityfotona.com.

   

• Reduce Redness and Inflammation: Vascular lasers (like the Pulsed Dye Laser at 585–595 nm) target blood vessels and can lessen the redness of inflammatory acne lesions. By zapping the tiny blood vessels that contribute to redness, these lasers help pimples appear less red and angry, and they also have an anti-inflammatory effectpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

   

• Resurface and Remodel Skin: Ablative or fractional lasers (like CO₂ or Er:YAG lasers) remove a micro-thin layer of skin or create micro-columns of injury to stimulate collagen remodeling. While these are more commonly used for acne scars, a gentle resurfacing can also help active acne by clearing out clogged pores and smoothing the skin surfacefotona.com. Additionally, by removing the outermost skin and opening up comedones, these lasers facilitate the release of trapped material (as part of a procedure sometimes called “laser-assisted drainage”).

   

Often, comprehensive acne laser treatments combine multiple approaches. A prime example is the Fotona Dynamis SP Pro laser system – a cutting-edge platform that includes two lasers in one: an Nd:YAG laser (long wavelength 1064 nm) and an Er:YAG laser (2940 nm). This dual setup allows a multi-step therapy:

• Step 1: The Er:YAG laser can be used in a very gentle ablative mode to create tiny micro-punctures in the skin surfacefotona.com. These small holes help release and drain out sebum and pus from clogged pores or cysts (imagine it creating escape vents for the gunk in a pimple). It also helps enhance penetration of any applied medications and preps the skin for the next step. This is essentially a fractional resurfacing targeted at comedones and pustules – “facilitating deep comedo extraction”fotona.com.

   

• Step 2: Then the Nd:YAG laser is applied. The Fotona Nd:YAG penetrates deeply to target the overactive sebaceous glands and the blood supply around themfotona.com. By using a specific protocol (sometimes called “laser pulse acne” mode), it thermally damages the sebaceous glands while also killing bacteria with heat. This leads to reduced oil output and improvement in active acne. It also has an immediate effect of shrinking inflamed lesions (heat can hasten resolution of a pimple). This step reduces local inflammation and destroys the glands’ ability to overproduce oilfotona.com.

   

• Step 3: The combined laser treatment also stimulates a healing response – increasing production of cytokines and growth factors (like VEGF) that promote new collagen formation and modulate inflammationfotona.com. In simpler terms, after the acne is cleared, the skin’s repair systems kick in to remodel and improve overall texture. Over time, this can lead to smoother skin and can even help early scars heal better. Fotona refers to this as helping control the “inflammatory cascade” and jump-starting collagen synthesisfotona.com.

   

The result of this Fotona Active Acne protocol is a comprehensive attack on acne: unclogging pores, destroying bacteria, shutting down oil glands, and rejuvenating the skin. Clinical outcomes have shown noticeable improvements in skin clarity and texture after just a few sessionsfotona.com. Patients treated with this approach often report not only fewer breakouts but also a healthier complexion overall (smoother, with reduced oiliness and tightened pores). The Fotona Nd:YAG laser is gentle enough that it can be used on active inflammatory acne even in patients with darker skin (with careful settings), unlike some older lasers that had higher risks in dark skin.

Treatment Series and Downtime: Laser treatments are more intensive than LED. A minimum of about 4 sessions (spaced perhaps 2–4 weeks apart) is often recommended for active acne with the Fotona or similar protocolsfotona.com. Each laser session might cause some mild swelling, redness, and tiny scabs in treated areas (from the microholes and the heat) that can last 5–7 daysfotona.com. This is far shorter downtime than, say, a full ablative laser, but it’s not zero downtime – patients usually just have a bit of redness like a sunburn for a couple of days and maybe some flaky patches or pinpoint crusts where pimples were treated. Proper post-care (gentle moisturizing, sun avoidance) helps in quick recovery. Most people tolerate the procedure well; a numbing cream can be applied before to minimize discomfort, as lasers do have a snapping or warm sensation.

Efficacy and Results: Laser acne treatments can yield significant improvement in moderate to severe acne, especially for patients who do not want to take systemic medications like isotretinoin. By targeting the root causes of acne – excess oil, clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation – laser therapy like Fotona can lead to clearer skin after a series of treatmentscocodermatology.com. Many patients see noticeable clearing and even a reduction in oiliness after the sessions. It’s not uncommon to see a 50–75% reduction in acne lesions after a full treatment course, with some patients achieving near-complete clearance (results vary by individual). Keep in mind, lasers provide partial improvement and are often an adjunct; severe hormonal acne might still require medication. Also, acne can recur over time if the underlying triggers (like hormones) persist, so maintenance or additional treatments down the line might be needed. In general, clinical studies and experience show lasers can significantly help acne but seldom “cure” it permanently in one goskinsight.comskinsight.com – a multimodal approach is usually best.

• Fractional Lasers: Non-ablative fractional lasers (like Fraxel re:store 1550 nm) or ablative fractional (like fractional CO₂) are typically used for acne scars, but mild settings can also improve active acne by remodeling pores and reducing sebaceous gland activity. These often come with more downtime, so they’re more common after acne is under control, to fix scarring.

   

• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): This is a special light-based treatment where a photosensitizing solution (usually ALA – aminolevulinic acid) is applied to the skin, which is absorbed by oil glands and follicles. Then the skin is exposed to a strong blue or red light (or laser or IPL). The reaction of light + ALA causes a powerful destruction of sebaceous glands and acne bacteriapmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. PDT can be very effective for stubborn acne (some refer to it as a “light-based Accutane”), but it causes a sunburn-like reaction that can last a week, and strict sun avoidance is required for 1–2 days after. It’s an option for resistant cases, though not everyone does it due to the downtime and cost.