Acne is one of the most embarrassing things that some teenagers have to cope with. These red monsters ruin their social image and they struggle relentlessly to find a cure for them. At best, some ointments applied locally, treat the symptoms, but there seems to be no permanent solution to this awfully annoying problem.



Typically, there are four basic treatment options available to people suffering from acne. Topical ointments are applied to the surface of acne and generally have an anti- bacterial agent to help kill the bacteria that is wreaking havoc in someone's clogged pores.

The second most common acne treatment is oral medication. Oral medication is best used to treat body acne and very, very severe cases of acne affecting the face. These oral medications have antibiotics in them that are fairly effective in reducing some of the more severe cases of acne.

Hormone therapy is another option available to people afflicted with acne but it is not very common. While there are several treatment options available with hormone therapy, a common practice is to inject cortisone directly into lesions. Other options include using inhibitors that prevent hormones like androgen from causing further outbreaks.

Finally, laser therapy has become an option in recent years and is an effective treatment option for acne. Typically, laser therapy involves highly concentrated beams of light that are aimed directly at the affected regions. The intense heat from the laser literally vaporizes the bacteria that cause acne. It is not uncommon for patients to require several sessions with the laser before the true impact of the therapy can be seen.

The other advantage of laser therapy is that it can help reduce the scarring caused by acute cases of acne. Laser burns away the dead skin and makes the scars less noticeable. For maximum effectiveness especially in severe cases, the treatments and scar therapy may have to be staged over several months.

Frankly, laser treatment for acne is not a cheap treatment option and unfortunately it is not commonly covered in most insurance plans. Due the high costs of the specialized equipment and facilities, laser treatment will remain an expensive option for many years to come. Although there are some risks involved when undergoing the procedure, they are actually no greater than those associated with taking oral medication or hormone therapy for your acne.

Acne is a very brutal and cruel part of growing up. Some of us are hit with it pretty hard while others seem to escape the curse entirely with only an occasional blemish here or there. Topical ointments are fairly effective in treating mild acne, but they can do little to stem the tide of an acute case of acne. In such cases, consult with your doctor or dermatologist and ask if laser treatment is an option for you.