Acne can affect anyone, from adolescents at puberty to adults. People are nowadays opting for a wide range of Acne scar treatment including antibiotics, herbal medications and laser therapies. Some of them are based on scientific evidence and use proven substances for removing acne, while some do not have any scientific base. Still people try their luck with such treatments. They go to bed with their faces covered in lemon slices, toothpaste and so on. And no wonder: the results aren’t so impressive. Here are some popular treatments for acne:
Antibiotics for acne:
Most patients rely on antibiotics, either in a pill or in topical form, to battle acne. Antibiotics destroy the bacteria accumulated in the hair follicles, calm the body’s immune response and thereby reduce redness and swelling.
However, this treatment may not work when the bacteria multiplies and grows in clogged follicles. Some bacteria reside in the layers of the skin and are hard to wipe out even if an invasive antibiotic comes on the scene.
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid:
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can be effective in some patients, but don’t work for everyone. Benzoyl peroxide helps reduce bacteria by oxygenating pores; but may also cause the skin to become excessively dry. Similarly, salicylic acid can also cause extreme dryness and peeling while clearing the dead cells from the surface of the skin.
Laser treatment:
A treatment that has emerged in recent years to battle acne with advanced technology is laser treatment. Not all lasers are created uniformly. The type of laser for acne treatment depends on several factors and each of them works in a different way. Let’s have a look at the basics of each type.

Diode lasers:
These lasers help in preventing future acne breakouts by reducing the ability of the skin to produce an oily substance called sebum. The laser rays accomplish the task by destroying sebaceous glands in the dermis. The treatment does not cause any damage to the surface of the skin, even as the tiny glands within the hair follicles are destroyed.
Diode laser therapy smoothens out the skin and also takes care of any abnormal discolorations. Diode lasers are also used for treating extreme scarring caused due to large acne lesions and cysts. The treatment firms up the skin from beneath, giving it a smoother and tighter appearance.
High-intensity lasers:
CO2 lasers are high-intensity lasers that help resurface or reduce acne scarring by removing the outer layer of dermis. After the outermost layer heals, the newer layer of the skin is exposed, which is less discolored and more even than the previous outermost layer.
Points to note:
Laser treatment isn’t pain-free. But, the pain can be reduced to some extent by administering topical painkillers during the procedure. Additionally, laser acne treatment can cause redness. In most patients, it subsides within a week. However, it may persist for months in some cases. Some patients also develop permanent scarring.
Not all patients with acne need to undergo laser therapy. There are several other less intensive treatments that are effective especially when the disfigurement is not substantial. Most of these treatments are also less expensive.
Who should avoid laser treatment?
Laser treatment needs to be avoided if the individual suffers from certain skin conditions like psoriasis and cystic acne. People with extremely dry skin should also refrain from undergoing laser treatment.
Having said that; laser for acne removal is certainly the most effective treatment to get a clear and youthful skin. The results take much less time to be noticeable and are relatively long lasting.

For decades, people have tried to selectively get rid of fat from problem areas, using exercise, belts, injections, and many other methods. Until recent times, liposuction was the only way to remove fat from a selected area. However, now there is Liposonix, a revolutionary, new method to reduce fat effectively. Let’s take a look at some common questions regarding this procedure.
What is Liposonix?
Liposonix is a device that is used to permanently get rid of fat cells and decrease one’s waist size. It uses focused ultrasound waves in order to permanently remove fat cells selectively in problem areas. The procedure removes fat cells without surgery and with minimal downtime or side effects.
How does it Work?
The procedure uses a special technology known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound or HIFU to destroy fat cells in a safe and effective way. Focusing the ultrasound energy at 1-2 cm below the skin’s surface avoids any burns or damage to the skin and makes the procedure more comfortable. HIFU disrupts the fat cells, thereby resulting in an average 1.5 to 2 inch (4 to 5 cm) reduction in waist size after a 1 hour treatment.
What Results can I Expect?
Liposonix permanently damages fat cells in the treatment area. Generally, each treatment is recommended to last for around an hour. Current studies have shown an average reduction in waist size of 4.6 cm or 1.8 inches (one pant size) after three months. These are results from the first generation Liposonix machine. At present, clinical studies for the second generation machines are underway.
Who Is Considered a Good Candidate?
The procedure is considered suitable for both men and women. One should be able to pinch at least one inch of fat in the area of concern. A layer of fat that is less than one inch thick probably doesn’t require treatment. You must also be fairly close to your ideal body weight. People with BMI (Body Mass Index) of less than 30 are considered as good candidates. In case your BMI is more than 30, you will probably do better undergoing liposuction as compared to Liposonix.
What Happens to the Fat after the Procedure?
The damaged fat cells attract the inflammatory as well as healing response of the body. Special cells known as macrophages engulf the fat as well as the cellular debris. Next, the macrophages transport the fat through the venous and lymphatic system, and eventually into the liver. The process takes 2 to 4 weeks, so there is no change in fat, triglyceride or other body chemistries. The liver then takes the fat and metabolizes it normally.
What are the Side Effects?
The procedure only involves mild side effects. Patients using the second generation machine have experienced mild or no discomfort at all. Since every person has a different level of pain tolerance, medicines are available for pain control and anxiety. Some patients experience some redness, bruising and swelling after the procedure. Generally, the redness subsides after a few hours, the swelling resolves within a few days and the bruising might take up to 2 weeks to resolve.
Will Liposonix Treatment help me Lose Weight?
Keep in mind; this is not a weight loss treatment. The fat cells are permanently disrupted with this treatment. However, the fat inside the cells is not destroyed. Instead, it is carried back to the liver and treated similar to the food you eat. Once processed by the liver, the fat that is released is sent back out to fat cells inside the body.
Since the fat cells are no longer present there, the fat cannot return to the treated area. Generally, it will go to multiple other places inside the body. It is important to remember that Liposonix ultrasound weight loss procedure permanently destroys fat cells but does not completely destroy or eliminate fat. Diet and exercise are required, to take care of that. Hence, you can only use it to lose a few inches in selected areas and not for overall weight loss.