What Is Acne Laser Treatment?

Acne laser treatments use focused light or energy to help clear active acne, reduce oil production, kill acne-causing bacteria, calm inflammation, and improve marks or scars left behind. They’re non-surgical procedures performed by dermatology professionals.

Common Types of Acne Laser & Light Therapies

 AGNES (RF Energy)

• Uses radiofrequency to target overactive oil glands, lowering oil production and improving stubborn acne.
• Often chosen when traditional treatments aren’t effective alone.

 Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

• Combines a light-activated solution with a light source to kill acne bacteria and shrink oil glands.
• Good for inflammatory acne.

 Fractional Lasers (e.g., CO2 or Er:YAG)

• Creates micro-zones of controlled skin injury to stimulate collagen and tissue renewal.
• Helpful for acne scars and texture improvements.

 Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) & V-Beam

• Uses broad-spectrum light to reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne.
• Can improve skin tone and marks after breakouts.

 Laser Toning & Light-Based Systems

• Light energy aimed broadly at skin to calm inflammation, boost healing, and refine texture.
• Often part of multi-step acne programs.

 Radiofrequency + Microneedling (e.g., RF Microneedling)

• Combines tiny needles with RF energy to stimulate collagen deeper in the skin, helping scars and firmness.
• May be recommended for deeper acne scarring rather than active acne.

What These Lasers Actually Do

Laser and light treatments can help by:

✅ Reducing oil (sebum) output from glands
✅ Killing acne-causing bacteria
✅ Calming reddened, inflamed lesions
✅ Reducing acne scarring and marks over several sessions
✅ Promoting collagen for smoother skin texture

Most laser protocols don’t aim to cure acne permanently in one session — they’re usually part of a series of treatments and may be combined with topical skincare routines or other therapies.

Who It’s Best For

Laser acne treatments are typically chosen when:

✔ Acne is moderate to severe
✔ Topical or medication treatments aren’t enough
✔ You’re dealing with persistent inflammation, redness, or marks
✔ You want to improve texture or scarring from past breakouts

They might be less necessary for very mild acne that responds well to home care or topical ingredients.

Treatment Frequency

• Multiple sessions are common — often 4–8 sessions spaced weekly or monthly depending on device and severity.
• Some programs are structured as monthly courses to target active acne then maintain improvement. Myeongdong Skin Clinic

Recovery & Side Effects

• Minimal downtime for most laser/light therapies — redness or slight irritation may occur but usually resolves in days.
• More aggressive fractional lasers that resurface skin may need longer recovery.

Always follow aftercare advice (e.g., sunscreen, gentle skincare) after laser treatments.

Quick Tip

Laser acne programs in Seoul are often customized: providers typically start with a skin assessment and tailor treatment plans combining multiple devices or additional care options for best results.