Michael H. Gold, MD, Dermatology, Nashville, TN

MedEsthetics Magazine September 2015

Acne is one of the most common and challenging skin diseases for patients and skincare specialists. Treatment typically requires a multi-modal approach involving the use of topical and oral medications to help reduce breakouts and prevent long-term scarring. As the healthcare industry as a whole works to expand antibiotic stewardship programs and isotretinoin—the most effective non-antibiotic oral medication for acne patients— remains heavily regulated, laser and light sources are again generating interest as alternative acne treatment tools.

The main impedance to incorporating laser and light treatments is that they are not reimbursable, which places a significant financial burden on patients. But for those who wish to stop oral medication and for those patients who are not experiencing significant results with current treatment modalities, laser procedures provide welcome relief.

In addition, newer, more affordable technologies that deliver effective wavelengths at shorter pulse durations allow practices to treat a wider range of skin types with little to no discomfort.