Hey ladies -- has anyone heard about this? They say it is going to revolutionize the derm industry and life for acne sufferers. It is a laser treatment originally designed to reduce wrinkles, which they found also damages the sebaceous glands (which as you know are the lifeblood of acne). These are the glands that Accutane injures, making it difficult if not impossible in most patients for acne to form. As everyone knows, Accutane is a difficult medication with many side effects. I spent about 10 hours this week researching this Smoothbeam laser (mnftd. by Candela Corp.) and the doctors using it say it has virtually NO side effects with the SAME benefits as Accutane. They say your face is mildly red after the treatment but nothing that make-up can't cover. You go in once a month for about four months and the treatments last approx. 20-30 minutes ... and that's it.
The FDA has approved Smoothbeam for back acne, which is what Candela first tested it on, reasoning that back acne is the most stubborn and if the laser can work there, it can work anywhere.
They are now doing clinical trials of it on the face, but many doctors are already using it for facial acne (considered an "off label" use right now), including two in Chicago, one of whom I am going to see tomorrow for a consultation. The derms on the Net are saying they're seeing fantastic results on patients lasting a minimum of 6-12 months (the treatment is so new, no long-term studies have yet been completed -- but they've been using it for wrinkles -- so it is obviously safe for the face -- for much longer).
This sounds fantastic. There is also a ClearLight laser that kills acne bacteria but doesn't do anything to the sebaceous glands, so it might clear you up but will not really prevent further acne like the Smoothbeam, from what I understand.
Does anyone have any experience with the Smoothbeam and, if so, please share it! I will let you know what the doc says tomorrow and in the meantime let's keep our fingers crossed. No meds, no Accutane side effects, just a few laser treatments and relief from acne for a year or better. It's not covered by insurance (naturally) but at this point I couldn't care less.
Any thoughts? Any info? Let's dish!
__________________ Diagnosed in '96 (but just informed--don't get me started!)
Mild PCOS, apparently
Thin Cyster
32, and DH is 33
Still clueless about PCOS, but learning...
My skin is a mess from taking Diane-35, Saw Palmetto, Mircette,
and Aldactone. Everything I tried made my skin 50 times worse!!
I am now doing the smoothbeam and am on my third treetment.
My Doctor says that I will need 5 treatments because my skin is a
wreck but he is seeing great clearing with his patients. It has
only been 1 month since my 1st treatment because I am doing it
every 2 weeks and I am just starting to see some clearing. The Dr said
he can already see improvemnts in my skin. The nurse said that
you have to be patient because it takes 2-4 months to see real
results and it's hard to be patient. I can already see an improvement in my scarring which is great because I have alot of
acne scars. It hurts alot to get the laser but to me it's worth it
not to take medicine.
I'll keep you posted and let me know how it goes for you!
What does your doctor say about it? Did he suggest long-lasting results or compare it to Accutane?
Also, do you put the numbing cream on your face before the treatments? Does that help at all with the pain?
Finally, what city are you in and how long has your derm had it, if you know? Thanks for the info.
Thanks!
__________________ Diagnosed in '96 (but just informed--don't get me started!)
Mild PCOS, apparently
Thin Cyster
32, and DH is 33
Still clueless about PCOS, but learning...
I am in NJ.
The Derm has been using it for at least six months (since it was
approved for back acne) but he's been using it much longer for
wrinkles. He doesn't know how long it will last but he's very
enthusiastic. It could be forever or that you would come once a
year but for only one treatment. He encouraged me to go off Aldactone and topicals since I was having a bad reaction so he
seems very confident to me.
His nurse said that many of his patients have cleared completely as long as they stick with it and get as many treatments as are necessary. Usually 3-6. Some people lose patience after 1 or 2 and so they don't get the results.
I use the numbing cream and it still feels like torture. I don't care becuase it's worth it. It has different strengths so it may not hurt as much at a lower strength but than you may need more treatments. He sees me and I think he turns it full strength
because he sees how unhappy I am.
I've used Accutane 3 times and it didn't work so for me I hope it's better than Accutane that's for sure!
I went for microdermabrasion last night and my nurse said she was going to a meeting to talk about the latest laser things available. She had heard of this too. I told her to please get this because I would definately do it. I have had scar revisions on left and right side of chin. Rt. side is great. I had more scars on left and the surg. went well but i still have other superficial scars on the left side that this treatment sounds perfect for. I also get one monthly zit so it sounds like this treatment would solve that problem too. I take antibiotics for it but since its only once a month I would rather not take the drugs. I am getting ready to try a 2nd course of accutane ( took that in my 20's and now I am 43). But.. if i could avoid that I would. I really appreciate the info in this post. I too would suffer any pain to get rid of scars. Thanks for posting ladies and please keep it going.
Ugh! I just drafted a long post and it didn't post! I hate that! One more try, this time, the Evelyn Wood version:
Went to the doc today re: Smoothbeam. Managed to convince him to give me my first procedure. Wasn't bad at all. With numbing cream all over my face and neck, pain was at worst a 2 on a scale of 1-10. In many places, pain was a zero.
Laser is size of a fat pen and zaps in little circles, so it's impossible to cover every millimeter of skin in one sitting. Redness afterward that looked dumb: little red circles all over face and neck. 2 hours later, have significantly faded and am not concerned at all about them. They will definitely be gone in a day or two and can easily be covered with makeup.
First visit on the insurance co. (don't ask -- I didn't). Next 3 will amount to $699 which I think is okay for laser procedure. None come cheap.
Am very encouraged by everything I'm hearing about this Smoothbeam. Doc said he used Clear Light on his son and daughter; daughter had good resolution; son had virtually none so he used Smoothbeam on the son and had fantastic results (even after Accutane failed).
Important note: doc says if you have been on Accutane within the last 12 months you may not get the Smoothbeam procedure. On the other hand, if you try Smoothbeam and it fails, you can still go on Accutane, according to him. So those considering both options might give some thought to trying Smoothbeam first.
Long story short: I am happy with how it went and remain cautiously optomistic. Much more so than I have been with any antibiotics, etc., which either don't work or work for a while and then stop. We'll see.
Stephy, keep us posted on how it's going for you and I will do the same!
__________________ Diagnosed in '96 (but just informed--don't get me started!)
Mild PCOS, apparently
Thin Cyster
32, and DH is 33
Still clueless about PCOS, but learning...
Hey ladies: just an update for you. It has now been one week since my first Smoothbeam treatment. All redness, etc. is gone -- I did have some swelling (slight -- only I could notice it) for the first 3 days or so, but it's gone. And, amazingly, I have not had one zit in the last seven days. I cannot tell you how long it's been since I could say that. I ALWAYS have a break out somewhere on my face -- usually between 2 and 4 inflamed pimples or (worse) cystic acne. Over the past few months, it's been worse than ever -- particularly with the cystic acne (hence my hours on-end on the Net trying to find a new solution).
I'm not counting any chickens yet, but I thought I would at least let you know that already I have seen fantastic results, with practically zero side effects. Honestly -- if this keeps up, I don't know what I'm going to do to get the word out to other acne sufferers but I am committed to thinking of something.
Will let you know how the next treatment goes on May 5th. Let me know if any of you do it as I am interested to hear about others' experiences with this procedure and its effectiveness (or lack thereof). Thanks!
__________________ Diagnosed in '96 (but just informed--don't get me started!)
Mild PCOS, apparently
Thin Cyster
32, and DH is 33
Still clueless about PCOS, but learning...
Oooh, this Smoothbeam laser sounds very promising for us chronic acne sufferers! What a breakthrough! This is actually the first time I've heard about it. I can't thank you enough for sharing your experiences with us, ladies. I look so forward to reading about your progress as the months go by.
Did you ladies have your full face done in one sitting or do they do one area at a time? How long does the procedure take?
I don't have cystic acne, but I almost always have a few medium sized inflamed pimples on my face at any given time. I used to have a lot more prior to going on Diane-35, so I really shouldn't complain, but at the age of 29 (30 in July ), I'm absolutely sick of having to deal with acne at all. I'd kill for the chance to go off the Pill for good and go for yearly laser touch ups to keep my acne in line.
Perhaps this Smoothbeam laser will lead to even bigger advances in laser treatment, such as a laser that is capable of destroying those nasty evil oil glands for good! A girl can dream, can't she?
__________________ 29 years young!
Happily married to Glen, 36
Furmummy to Aussie cattle dog, Rusty
Diane-35 for acne since 2000
Last edited by MissyKnude; 04-24-2003 at 10:21 PM.
Chicago Girl is having an easier time than me!
My 1st 3 treatments brought out all of the acne beneath the surface and believe me there was alot. I am just finally starting
to clear and I go for my 4th in 1 week. The Dr only did my T zone
for now because I don't usually break out on my cheeks. He wants to do only the worse parts of my skin first. I have mild to mod acne everywhere except my chin where its been severe for the past 2 months of hell. This is also where most of my scarring and wrinkles are so my chin is just a wreck. Luckily the smoothbeam
helps all three problems. Someday I'll add in my cheeks if I'm
happy with everything else.
I'll keep everyone posted...
MissyKnude: I did have it done all over my face even though I almost never break out on my forehead, nose or upper cheeks. I do get blackheads there from time to time so I figured, why not? The whole zapping procedure took about 10 minutes, but the entire office visit was much longer given that I had to sit there for nearly an hour with the numbing cream on my face.
Stephy: I am so sorry to hear that you are having a more difficult time with it. Maybe this next time (and the results) will be better since most of the work is now done. I am surprised to read that you broke out from the treatment -- this was something I grilled my derm on b/c it was my No. 1 fear of going on Accutane (the old, "It gets worse before it gets better" bit) and he assured me repeatedly that he has never seen that happen on any one of the patients he treated with the Smoothbeam. Do you think maybe the breakouts were the result of stopping the medications? They say you might want to stay on antibiotics if you're taking them until the 2nd or 3rd treatment.
I am still amazed that after (now) 8 days I am zit-free -- a result I have not enjoyed since, well, ever. Honestly, I am 32 years old and I literally cannot remember the last time I went a whole week with no breakouts. I want to get down on my knees and thank the Lord for the Smoothbeam (but I'm also afraid to get my hopes up too far). Let's face it -- acne is so awful to have to deal with -- even worse as an adult than a teen, I think -- because most of your contemporaries are done dealing with it. Haven't we all missed social events, etc. b/c of a breakout? Isn't it so sad to have to hibernate alone rather than being with others b/c you are so bummed out about the condition of your skin? I truly hope this procedure offers a solution, a real cure (that's what they say) rather than YET ANOTHER temporary treatment of the effects, but not the root cause, of acne.
Stephy -- here's hoping the fourth time's a charm for you and I will let you know how things progress for me over the next couple of weeks too.
__________________ Diagnosed in '96 (but just informed--don't get me started!)
Mild PCOS, apparently
Thin Cyster
32, and DH is 33
Still clueless about PCOS, but learning...
Ladies I just returned from vacation. I came right to this thread. Please keep them coming. Also if anyone knows of a derm in Mich. that is using this i would like to know. I am going to a new derm on 5/17 and i will be asking her about it and if she does it i will post also. Hope everyone does well even though it seems that some are going to have a harder time than others. Good luck.
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Improvement in hirsuitism and androgenic alopecia is greatly improved. AN and cystic acne are gone!
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Smoothbeam Laser: The Side-Effect Free Accutane? 
), I'm absolutely sick of having to deal with acne at all. I'd kill for the chance to go off the Pill for good and go for yearly laser touch ups to keep my acne in line.
