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Light Therapy For Acne

By Holly Ames

Light Therapy for Acne: A News Five Medical Team Update Light Therapy For Acne

Published: Fri, September 21, 2007 - 1:26 pm Last Updated: Fri, September 21, 2007 - 2:57 pm

Acne can be a real downer and a real tough problem to tackle. In March we met with 24 year old Robin Radford. Robin had suffered with cystic acne from a very young age. She had tried every treatment out there with little success. Then she learned about a light based therapy offered by Dr. Heather Haley in Fairhope. It works with a topical treatment to target bacteria and oil glands and give skin a break from break outs.

The News Five Medical Team met With Robin in September to see how the new treatment worked out for her.

After four treatments spaced about a month apart, Robin's complexion is beautiful. Her first treatment was in March and her last was in July. She hasn't had a break out since.

"Even after the first treatment, I was already noticing results," Robin said.

Dr. Heather Haley with Haley Dermatology explains how it works. "We place medicine called Levulan and that medicine is taken up by the oil glands underneath the skin and the light we put her in front of actually activates that medicine to destroy the bacteria in the oil glands."

Robin is very pleased with the results, "after each treatment I saw more and more results. After the last treatment I was very very pleased."

Results will vary from patient to patient, but Dr. Haley says studies show results can last for up to six months.

Dr. Haley says because each patient responds differently, treatment options will vary. "If they do break out, we just do one more treatment and get suppression of that bacteria again and hopefully get six more months out of it."

It's been a real success for Robin. "I had lunch with my mom yesterday and I said, 'look mom no make up' and she couldn't believe it."

In the couple of days following the treatment, patients may experience some discomfort, redness and swelling. It's also important to know that during that time patients must protect their face from the sun.

Haley Dermatology is located in Fairhope.