Lasers and Heat Therapies for Acne | Laser Treatment, Thermaclear and Zeno

Lasers, Heat and Other Acne Treatments

In addition to OTC topical medicines, topical applications and prescription oral drugs for acne, there are other types of treatments available too. A doctor may remove the patient's comedones during office visits. Sometimes the doctor will inject corticosteroids directly into lesions to help reduce the size and pain of the inflamed cysts and nodules of severe acne.

Lasers and PPx (Photopneumatic) Pore Cleansing System

Medical lasers are also being talked about as a treatment for acne. Lasers are currently used for skin resurfacing of acne scars. Scientists are also now studying the effect of non-ablative (non-cutting) laser therapy, a technique that uses laser energy to try to improve the appearance of the skin. Non-ablative lasers are also used to treat aging skin conditions such as wrinkles and age spots. Pulsed dye laser treatment is being investigated as a therapy for acne vulgaris based on the observation that light of various wavelengths, including those in sunlight, may improve the appearance of acne. This type of laser treatment creates changes in a layer of the skin called the dermis without causing an open wound in the skin. The use of non-ablative laser therapy, together with application of a photo-sensitizer (substance that makes the skin more sensitive to light), may improve the appearance of acne. It is not yet clear how much improvement can be seen with these treatments or exactly how the skin's response causes improvements.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several laser devices for use in physicians' offices for the treatment of acne scars. FDA has also approved a consumer medical device (ThermaClear, made by Therative, Inc) for the treatment of individual pimples in persons with mild to moderate inflammatory acne. The portable hand-held device is similar to laser treatment technology used by dermatologists in that it delivers a short thermal pulse to the pimple, which is designed to neutralize underlying bacteria. ThermaClear is available without a prescription.

Zeno is another portable hand-held device approved by FDA. It produces a controlled low level of sustained heat for use in treating dermatological disorders, specifically, mild to moderate acne. Individual acne blemishes are treated for a preset time. The treatment tip is made from a biocompatible material and delivers the specific low-level heat to the individual acne blemish. The device is powered by rechargeable AAA nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says Zeno is indicated for the treatment of individual acne pimples in persons with mild to moderate inflammatory acne. The theory behind Zeno is that p. acnes bacterial cells (the bacteria that is behind acne) are susceptible to the effects of sustained low-level heat. Zeno is available without a prescription.

PPx (Photopneumatic) Pore Cleansing System

PPx (Photopneumatic) Pore Cleansing System is a vacuum system that vacuums oil from pores, and also uses laser. Proponenets say that when the skin is cleared of impurities, the acne appearance is improved. PPx was originally developed for hair removal. It can be used to treat pustular and comedonal acne, as well as acne vulgaris. PPx is used in a doctor's office, and may not be effective on darker complexions.

Brand names included in this article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products are better or worse than others. You should discuss your situation with your dermatologist. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.

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Updated June 2009

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