It is unlikely that the Carbon Laser Peel causes acne outbreak per se. The Carbon Peel Laser actually helps to lightly ablate/exfoliate the top layer of dead skin, break up pigments and break down the debris lodged deep in the pores. The combined photothermal and photochemical peeling effect also aid to shrink sebaceous glands, stimulate collagen and reduce inflammation, improving acne. It is possible that some people may experience some mild outbreak during the week after the carbon peel laser due to the exfoliation and increased cell turnover from the treatment. However, most people find improvement to the acne, skin texture, skin tone and pores after the Carbon Laser Peel.
Question
Can the carbon laser peel cause an acne breakout?
Doctor's Answers 2
The Carbon Peel Laser has been shown to improve the outcome of cystic acne. It helps to remove the dead skin of the surface, and reduces oil secretion and pigmentation. However as with all heat-based therapies, from experience, including IPL/Co2 Laser, there is a small limited outbreak following the treatment in the initial days.
Fortunately, the outbreak tends to be self-limiting and recovers rather quickly. So take heart!
Winston
Similar Questions
Should I switch my acne treatment after 2 weeks if I’m still having bad acne breakouts and scarring?
2 weeks would be a tad early to stop the treatment, as mentioned. A course of antibiotics usually takes at least 3 – 4 months. Sometimes, Differin can cause an initial outbreak during the first month or so and if it causes excessive dryness, irritation and flaking of the skin, I would advise using it once every 3 days first and then slowly increasing the frequency to daily. If you have cystic acne, I would advise draining the cystic acne and consider injectable steroids so as to arrest the inflammation and swelling. This will decrease the risk of subsequent scarring.
How can I prevent breakouts after Infini RF Microneedling or Fractional CO2 lasers?
Heat based therapies such as lasers of Infini can aggravate or induce some acneiform lesions. As such, for patients who are acne prone, I would still consider using some antibiotics coverage (oral and topical) to stave off the outbreaks. Those that have appeared, seek consultation with your doctor and treat the lesions ASAP to avoid more acne scarring. Dr Kelvin has rightly pointed out that it makes no sense to treat scars when new acne follows up after that. You would really be suffering and wasting money for nothing.
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