New acne treatment shows promise for patients

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Anyone who's dealt with severe acne knows that getting rid of it can be exhausting and expensive.

But a Boca Raton dermatologist says a new treatment could save you money while offering quicker results.

It's been a long six years for Marco Aletto.

"It's been a constant part of my life for a long time. I never really thought of it as something that could go away, it's not a healthy thing to let something so superficial constrict your social life, but unfortunately it does. You meet somebody and the first think that they see is your acne," said Aletto.

Aletto said he tried dozens of medications over the years, both over the counter and prescription.

Oral antibiotics worked, but he says he began to look for an alternative that would eliminate having to put medicine in his body.

He found Isolaz, a procedure that uses a laser combined with a vacuum.

Dr. Debra Sheldy said "the target is getting these patients off oral antibiotics and getting the inflammation down as quickly as possible and thus reducing the chances of scarring."

The Isolaz vacuum suctions out the dirt, blackheads and excess oil in your pores. The laser then kills the bacteria.

Dermatologists say the procedure is quick, pain free, and leaves minimal reddening so there's no downtime.

"I've taken every Isolaz treatment I've ever done on my lunch break from work which is maybe half an hour and the moment I leave I look better," Aletto said.

Doctors at Clearyderm in Boca Raton say the quickness and ease of the treatment has been drawing more people into their doors.

That and an increase in adult cases of acne thanks to our stressful lives.

"We see cases from teenagers all the way up to the perimenopausal women who are going though hormone changes," said Dr. Shelby.

Although they say Isolaz does eventually eliminate the need for oral medicine, a medicated wash and topical antibiotic are still used.

Dermatologists say most people see their acne cleared up within four to six treatments.

As for Aletto, "I'm already stunned by the results that I've gotten so quickly. I feel like I wasted all my time and energy."

Isolaz costs about one hundred and fifty to three hundred dollars a treatment depending on where you get it done. Four to six are usually needed. More treatments may be required for severe cases and maintenance according to doctors.