Laser treatment on skin lesions can be quite dramatic

What is Acne :

Skin disorders, such as acne can be irritating and embarrassing . acne (also known as pimples and blackheads ) is the most common skin problem and is the number one reason worldwide for a visit to a dermatologist. In most men, acne is worst during teenage years and then subsides. In women, menstruation flares acne, which follows into teenage years and then into adulthood. If left untreated, acne leads to the formation of small pockmark- like scars, which are then permanent. This cosmetic disfigurement has to be then lived with throughout life. Also , the presence of unseemly acne during teenage years leads to emotional and social trauma, which hampers self-confidence .

How is it caused :

Our face and back contain a large number of hair follicles which are associated with sebaceous glands. These sebaceous glands produce sebum (an oily fluid), which is secreted out to the skin through a passage called the infundibulum. Under ordinary and happy circumstances, the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands is secreted to the skin through open pores on the skin . however , in not-so- happy circumstances , a plug (blockage) forms in the infundibulum from cells, sebum, bacteria and other debris. The sebaceous gland continues to produce sebum, stretching the infundibulum until either it or some lower portion of the follicle ruptures. Acne lesions results from the rupture of a sebaceous follicle, followed by inflection by acne bacteria commonly found on the skin , leading to inflammation and pus (a whitehead) . they also result from the accumulation of plugged material in the sebaceous follicle ( a blackhead). This pathophysiology has two major requirements- an increase in sebum production or the plugging of the upper portion of the infundibulum.

TREATMENT :

Normal treatments for acne usually follow one or two lines of treatment . They try to reduce the pluggung of the infundibulum or its pore, or they try to reduce the chances of a bacterial infection . While laser treatment involves the application of an fda approved light sensitive dye mixed in a special gel . this dye enters the oil producing glands as well the passages. A laser , which is specially matched to the dye in terms of wavelength, pulse width and spot size, is then applied on the skin.this laser heats up the dye in the glands and the passages. The heating up leads to a decrease in the production of sebum, which causes acne. It also leads to an enlargement of the passages. As a result, these passages do not get blocked easily, leading to a reduction in acne eruptions.