Red marks after acne

After an inflamed acne lesion, the superficial blood vessels often stay dilated for months, sometimes longer. These red marks are known as post-inflammatory erythema (PIE). IPL and vascular lasers target the haemoglobin in those vessels, which strongly absorbs green and yellow light (around 532 and 577 nm), so the vessel heats up and closes. A vascular laser emits at one of these wavelengths. IPL emits a broad spectrum, and a cut-off filter removes the shortest wavelengths; what remains still includes that green and yellow light, and each flash covers a larger area than a laser does. Because melanin absorbs these wavelengths too, darker skin is more sensitive.

For this we supply the ReClear IPL, the IPL SQ handpiece for the Etherea MX, and the FlexSys, which has 532 nm and 577 nm modules.

Brown marks after acne

In darker skin, acne more often leaves brown marks: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). The inflammation stimulates the melanocytes to produce more pigment, which usually sits in the epidermis. That is also where the risk of treatment lies: anything that inflames the skin again can make the pigmentation worse. A gentle, non-ablative treatment is therefore the best fit.

The LaseMD Ultra is a non-ablative fractional thulium laser at 1927 nm that works mainly in the epidermis and upper dermis, where this pigment is found. Our treatment protocols and training cover how to build up treatment in darker skin.

Uneven skin texture after acne

Even without true scarring, the skin is often left uneven after acne. A non-ablative fractional laser coagulates narrow columns of tissue down into the dermis without creating an open wound, after which the skin produces new collagen. The Mosaic 3D uses Er:glass at 1550 nm and reaches deeper than thulium. Its Thermal Mode works more superficially; Cynosure Lutronic describes this mode as suitable for red marks, active acne and pores. The Mosaic 3D page shows a before-and-after of texture and redness after two sessions.

Each session involves little downtime, and results build over several sessions.

Active acne

Alongside medication, IPL and LED can play a supporting role. The ReClear IPL and the IPL SQ treat the redness of inflamed acne. The Healite II is available in a blue-light version (415 nm), which is absorbed by porphyrins produced by acne bacteria (C. acnes).

Choosing a device together

Tell us which acne patients you see and which devices you currently use, and we will look together at what a new device would add. After installation, we provide clinical training, treatment protocols and technical support. You can buy a device outright or lease it.