Is This The Future of Acne Treatment?

In your pursuit for the best acne treatment, you may have come across the electronic devices such as MyZeno that zaps zits with an impulse of heat. It all sounds very science fiction, I agree. MyZeno gadget resembles that of a prop out of Star Trek than a serious solution for acne.

However, it does actually have clinically proven results and is also endorsed by medical professionals.

But, how effective is this as a long term acne treatment? The answer is it isn’t. It is merely a short term treatment that eliminates the initial outbreaks. And what’s more the cost of the treatment is very high.

High cost of treatment

MyZeno claims that it takes 1-2 counts (thermal impulses) to treat a single spot, pimple or zit over a 24 hour period. A 90-count tip costs $35. This means that each spot, pimple or zit will cost around $0.3 to remove, plus of course the initial $100 dollar for the electronic device.

Not only is the cost extensive, but so is the time needed to treat each individual spot, pimple or zit, which MyZeno claims to be two and a half minutes.

Short term treatment only

MyZeno or other electronic devices of this type can only treat existing spots. However, they cannot prevent further outbreaks as they fail to treat the root cause. This means that the sufferer will be hit with constant rising acne treatment costs.

Assessment

MyZeno is ideal for those who need to rid get the odd pimple here and there very quickly. However, if you want to try and treat mild acne with this. We recommend that if you contemplate using this, use it in conjunction with a topical treatment that helps to prevent acne outbreaks – which as you may have already guessed, defeats the whole object of this product.

“If you are looking for a serious acne treatment

with long term results then we recommend…”

Zenmed Derma Cleanse >>

How Does The Laser Remove Acne

The procedure works by emitting a laser over the acne infected areas. Initially the heat from the laser kills the bacteria within the skin, which are responsible for these infected swellings. The pulsating laser heat is then applied deeper down to shrink the Sebaceous oil glands. This of course will result in a reduction of Sebum oil being produced; the main cause of acne.

The Laser treatment also stimulates the body’s natural bacteria fighting mechanism, which helps to reduce the severity of future breakouts.

Is Laser Treatment Painful?

There are two conflicting reports about this; some acne sufferers found this treatment extremely painful and experienced substantial redness and swelling that remained for several weeks; while others experienced only a mild tingling sensation and a little redness that resembled mild sunburn.

A topical anesthetic can be used to numb the skin prior to treatment depending the level of your treatment. Your can discuss your concerns at the initial consultation with your physician, which is aimed to inform you of what the laser treatment entails and the risks involved, if any.

How Safe Is It?

Acne laser treatments has been approved by the FDA.

How long Does Each Treatment Session Last?

Each session can last between 5-30 minutes depending on the severity of your acne.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

Most acne sufferers experience significant improvement after 1-2 treatments per week over a 3-5 week period, depending on the severity. In severe cases the treatment can continue for several months.

How Long Do The Results Last?

You will get faster results with this laser treatment relative to the other types, However, laser does not really treat the root cause as a results follow-up treatments are needed to prevent further out-breaks. To maximize the  results it is recommended to use in combination with a topical acne gel/lotion.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost is probably more painful than the physical discomfort experienced by the actual treatment. Each session can cost between $60-$200 USD depending on the level of treatment required. And a full treatment requires around 6-20 sessions; resulting in a total cost anywhere between, $360-4000 USD; excluding  the cost of follow-up sessions and the additional acne topical products

Our Assessment

This would not be our first choice of acne treatment. It may produce fast results but it does not tackle the root cause and the cost is extremely high that would increase significantly with the follow-up laser treatments; and there is no money back guarantee; or insurance coverage.

Where To Obtain Treatment: Dermatology or Skin Care Clinics With Certified Laser Professionals

Treatment Guarantee: None

Average: Cost $360-$4000

This therapy has not yet shown to be as successful for the bumps and pimples of papulopustular rosacea, which may be more effectively treated with oral and topical medications.
This articles will help you understand the benefits, risks, and issues to consider for laser and IPL therapies, so that you can make an informed choice when talking with your dermatologist about how to treat your rosacea.

The information will include findings from some recent studies investigating the safety and effectiveness of laser and light therapy in treating rosacea.

How Do Lasers Work?

Laser therapy works by using high-energy beams of light to heat and disintegrate tiny blood vessels under the skin, as well as sculpt areas of the face that have been disfigured by rosacea. Lasers are used to treat these signs of rosacea:

• Persistent redness
• Dilated, visible blood vessels
• Thickening skin on nose and cheeks (also known as rhinophyma)

For the first two symptoms, dermatologist may use a pulsed dye laser (PDL), whichdelivers pulsed light beams (instead of a continuous wave of light) to treat damaged skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact.
Results from a recent study showed significant improvement (such as a 40%–60% reduction in facial redness) after just one or two of these types of laser treatments, with ongoing improvements maintained with each ensuing treatment. Patients in the study also reported less flushing, burning, itching, dryness, swelling, and sensitivity.1
The study also monitored the side effects from PDL therapy, which included crusting and dark spots around treated areas. Physicians in the study treated the side effects successfully, and the side effects did not diminish PDL’s other benefits.
Another side effect is bruising, notable because the same study found that PDL treatment is more effective when the pulsed dye laser causes temporary bruising, which may last for 1 to 2 weeks. Newer pulsed dye lasers (such as the KTP, diode, and Nd:YAG lasers) are less likely to cause bruising; however, for that reason researchers found these lasers may not reduce redness, burning, and itching as effectively as the older PDL treatment.
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A more advanced form of rosacea is the thickened skin on the nose and cheeks, which is called rhinophyma. This condition calls for a more ablative treatment, such as a CO2 or erbium:YAG laser, which reshapes the affected tissue by cutting, heating, or abrading it.

For tenacious cases of rhinophyma, some physicians combine this type of laser therapy with another procedure such as dermabrasion.

What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy?

IPL is a non-laser light therapy that was approved in 1995 by the FDA. Although initially used for treating dilated facial blood vessels, dermatologists in recent years have expanded IPL’s uses for the persistent redness and flushing of rosacea.
Intense pulsed light therapy works by sending light energy through the skin’s outer layer to the dermal layer underneath, which minimizes visible after-effects and reduces healing time.

Because IPL works from the skin’s inner layer, the side effects are generally much milder than those of laser therapy or other treatments such as dermabrasion.
As a newer form of light therapy, IPL has been the subject of several recent studies, with results confirming IPL’s promise as safe and effective tool for reducing the signs of rosacea.
For example, researchers in the Netherlands used IPL therapy on sixty patients afflicted with visible red blood vessels (telangiectasia), treating a total of 508 instances of these signs. The results showed meaningful, sustained results for clearing up rosacea symptoms. After three years and a 77.8% rate of symptom clearance, the rate of lesion recurrence was less than 1%. Patients in the study reported minimal side effects.
Another study examined IPL’s effects on a broader set of rosacea symptoms, treating patients for persistent redness, flushing, and breakouts. After a regimen of one to seven IPL treatments, the 32 patients in the study yielded these results:

• An average of 83% experienced reduced redness.
• An average of 75% reported less flushing and improved skin texture.
• An average of 64% reported fewer acne-like breakouts.3

Although studies do indicate that some patients will experience no significant benefits from IPL therapy, most will see some reduction in symptoms, especially in dilated blood vessels and facial redness. Side effects are temporary and include redness, swelling, bruising, pigment, and crusting and blistering. Your dermatologist may conduct a patch test to see how your skin will react.

Is Laser and Light Therapy the Right Choice for You?

Even with such encouraging findings, the study results nonetheless indicate that some rosacea patients will see little or no effect from treatment. These therapies are not for everyone. If you are considering laser therapy or IPL to treat your rosacea, keep the following points in mind:
1. Expense—These therapies are not typically covered by health insurance, so you may have to cover the expense of these treatments out of your own pocket. Each
treatment session may cost several hundred dollars per session, and multiple sessions and follow-up treatments may be required.
2. Not a quick fix—Laser and light therapies may seem like a miracle cure, given that many patients do see long-term, dramatic results. But there is no cure yet for rosacea, and laser and light therapies may provide only temporary or partial relief of your symptoms. It is important that you continue to avoid triggers, avoid sun exposure, and be aware that you may need multiple or maintenance treatments, as well as supplemental medications.
3. You may not be a candidate—Patients with the following conditions may not be eligible for laser and light therapies:

• Clotting disorder
• Tendency to develop keloids (thick fibrous scars from skin injuries)
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Light sensitivity

Also, if you have even a mild suntan, you may have to wait until your skin fades to its palest color before receiving laser and light therapies.