FDA-Approved Laser Helps With Acne

(New York-WABC, May 20, 2003) — Bad skin can ruin a person's self-esteem and for many adults and teens, acne doesn't improve much with standard treatments like antibiotics or creams. If you have stubborn pimples, your suffering may soon be over. There's a new way to battle acne and acne scars that could be just the treatment you need. A model's flawless complexion in a magazine is just another reminder to Anna Stankiewicz that her skin isn't picture perfect. Anna Stankiewicz, Patient: "When I talk to people, I always notice that their eyes wander to that area. Then I get weird, because I think they are thinking about how bad my skin is." Anna's battle with breakouts has left her skin red and scarred. Now, she is undergoing a new treatment to improve her complexion. It is called the "smooth-beam laser." It has been FDA approved for wrinkles. Dr. David Goldberg worked on the study and looked at the laser's effect on aging skin. Dr. David Goldberg, Hackensack Medical Center: "While we were doing that study, we learned that people's skin that had been oily was actually drier." Because most people with acne have large oil glands. The laser works by heating up those glands causing them to shrink. It doesn't penetrate the skin, so there are no wounds. The treated area simply gets red. It helps scars by building new collagen. Dr. Goldberg:"This works in flammatory scarring acne. That is a huge breakthrough." Seventeen-year-old James Zafran hopes so. Conventional drug treatment has not helped his acne much, so he is undergoing the new laser. James mom says this conditions been tough on her son. Suzanne Zafran, James' Mother: "A lot of his friends no longer have acne and he would like to be in their situation as well." Dr. Goldberg: "Acne can be a debilitating problem. It can create all types of social issues." Stankiewicz: "Everyday I think about it. I say, how is my skin? How is it?" Four weeks after the first treatment, you could see the difference in Anna's skin. Stankiewicz: "My skin is more even-toned and there is no more blotches. So I am very happy." Early research indicates the laser may keep skin blemish-free for years.