Free-Electron Laser targets sebaceous glands

Written by on September 13, 2006 in laser therapy with 1 Comment

A new `free electron’ laser leads to the hope that in the future new treatments might be available that can selectively target sebaceous glands. This means that this new class of laser might be useful in treating conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and sebaceous gland hypertrophy.

From Free-Electron Laser Targets Fat

Scientists have shown, for the first time, that a laser can preferentially heat lipid-rich tissues, or fat, in the body without harming the overlying skin. Laser therapies based on the new research could treat a variety of health conditions, including severe acne, atherosclerotic plaque, and unwanted cellulite.

Rox Anderson, lead author on the study and a practicing dermatologist at Harvard, says the results provide a proof of principle for the use of selective photothermolysis, selectively heating tissues with light, for several potential medical applications. Dr. Anderson is most excited about the potential for using lasers to target sebaceous glands. “The root cause of acne is a lipid-rich gland, the sebaceous gland, which sits a few millimeters below the surface of the skin,” Anderson says, “We want to be able to selectively target the sebaceous gland, and this research shows that if we can build lasers at this region of the spectrum, we may be able to do that.”

He says a selective laser treatment for acne could potentially replace the best acne drug, which is isotretinoin (commonly known as Accutane®).

 

Read more about: laser therapy

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About the Author: David Pascoe started the Rosacea Support Group in October 1998. .

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1 Reader Comment

  1. sitara says:

    Ive been using a 650nm RED cold laser (regular laser pointer $10 ebay) for 4 days now treating DIRECTLY against the oily clogged pores on my face (*NOT NEAR MY EYES!*) The treatment lasts about an hour a day leaving on particular stubborn spots for 2 min. By day 3 my pores were producing 50% less oil, today end of day 4 its about 20%. Before treatment I couldn’t wear foundation. Even powder was too heavy. I would always feel dirty and every morning my eyes would burn due to oil getting into them that’s how bad it was. My eye lids would even be greasy.
    One warning- The first two days your face will over produce oil to the extreme even more than your usual extreme and you will be like whoa maybe this is making it worse. Don’t worry this is due to your sebacious glands freaking out because they are being damaged. By the time of day 4 they are too damaged to produce their normal amount. Not all oil is bad. I know its hard to think that after all the buckets of oil we have been through but by the time your glands are working at 20% you will think its perfect.
    This it perfect for those deep zits that are un popable too. Leave it over for one min a day and see that zit heal itself from the inside out in 1/4 the time.
    Got scalp zits? Use as a spot treatment or treat the whole scalp as you would on the face to slow down oil production.
    Got thinning hair? It works for that too.(mostly in women)
    Use to treat on scars and stretch marks as well.

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