ACNE LIGHT AND LASER TREATMENTS KANSAS CITY   "Laser Spectrum" Light Therapy New StarLux 500 Treatments For Acne    CLICK FOR "ACNE SCAR" TREATMENT DETAILS, LUX 1540 LASER The StarLux 500 Acne Laser System is the only one in the Kansas City Metro area that is operated by a trained physician.  We also find many of our acne patients benefit from the Genesis Laser for skin rejuvenation.   Research shows that the StarLux 500 System works on active acne by killing the P. acnes bacteria (because it uses the blue light spectrum of pulsed light - 400-430 nm) and it works in a separate manner on the sebaceous (oil) glands (by using a higher spectrum of light in the StarLux 500 System - in the 1000-1300 nm range). The Clearlight™ System works only through the blue light spectrum by killing the P. acnes bacteria and does nothing for the sebaceous glands. The Laser StarLux Acne System does the treatment in only 4 treatments in the initial series, where as the Clearlight™ System requires 8 treatments. Therefore, you will save money and cut your treatment sessions in half by coming to Laser & Derm Skin Car Center. The StarLux 500 system is often beneficial to individuals with moderate to resistant acne who have not had success with other medications and those who do not wish to take Accutane/ isotretinoin.  There is no cure for acne. There is no "permanent and forever" treatment that exists at this time, but these lights and lasers can help to control acne.   Some patients benefit that failed medical treatments, other patients will benefit when on both medical treatments associated with treatments of lights or lasers In spite of many available treatments for acne there are many patients who fail to respond adequately or who develop problematic side effects to medications. Sun exposure is known to be beneficial to many acne patients, but this also raises risks related to ultraviolet light and does not solve the 7 months of the year when most are not out in the sun. Recently, it has been found that light in the 400-430 nm (blue) spectrum LUX V may be beneficial to acne patients of skin types I, II, and III, and some lighter type IV.  The lights (LUX V) cannot be used on darker skin types. It is known that Propionibacterium acnes (p. acnes) produce porphyrins during their normal life cycle. P. acnes is capable to produce high amounts endogenic porphyrins with no need of any trigger molecules. Visible light in the blue or red range induces a photo-destructive effect on Propionibacterium acnes that may take part in the decrease in acne severity to those exposed to that light.               A moderate decrease of acne was achieved previously by exposure to light sources producing red light, mixed violet and ultraviolet light, or low intensity red and blue fluorescent light. Light in the violet-blue range has been shown to exhibit an intense phototoxic effect on Propionibacterium acnes when patients were treated in various research studies. The sensitivity of the porphyrins to blue light was found to be 10 times stronger than to red light. A novel high intensity spectrum of light that contains the blue light spectrum was built for acne therapy. UV is totally cut off and this prevents what otherwise would be harmful effects to the skin from patients exposed to the sun or from tanning beds. Low energy is used and the system heads are cooled constantly with advanced contact cooling from Palomar Medical to prevent heat accumulation to the skin. Treatments are aimed at treating  the subsequent inflammatory process.  Without treatment many patients suffer from inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and long term cosmetic effects of acne staining the skin. The added potential benefits of killing the p. acnes bacteria as discussed above are an added plus to the treatment program. We like to start out with four treatments approximately two weeks apart and then consider a maintenance program of medications and light treatments to assist in keeping the acne in remission. The periods of remission are obviously variable based on individual characteristics, but it is not unreasonable to consider a maintenance "single" laser spectrum light treatment often at 2-3 month intervals. The treatments are done without interfering with your life or activities. You may return back to work or school, etc., without down time.  It is generally wise to reduce sun exposure before most light or laser treatments.  The laser spectrum light treatments are one of those things that keep on giving benefits for some time past the actual treatments to the skin. Individual treatments are a great value at $150! This has many advantages over the many laser or light systems out there that recommend many more treatments. Call now for a  consultation. Acne Laser or lights like the StarLux 500 Treatments generally works best on skin types I, II, and III.  We only treat facial acne with lights or lasers. For individuals with skin types IV, V and VI, we would recommend our Vibradermabrasion in combination with BLU-U Acne light treatments .  It is best to come in without make-up or remove it when you get to the office. This assists in better evaluation of your skin and for more effective acne laser spectrum light treatments. You may reapply make-up, if desired, shortly after the treatments. See our physician or laser technician immediately for your skins health care needs.                                    Let us help you to look better!                                CALL 913-962-1869 FOR AN ACNE CONSULTATION! DISCLAIMER/NOTICE