Acne is one of the most embarrassing things that some teenagers have to cope with. These red monsters ruin their social image and they struggle relentlessly to find a cure for them. At best, some ointments applied locally, treat the symptoms, but there seems to be no permanent solution to this awfully annoying problem.

Typically, there are four basic treatment options available to people suffering from acne. Topical ointments are applied to the surface of acne and generally have an anti- bacterial agent to help kill the bacteria that is wreaking havoc in someones clogged pores.

Oral medication is the second most popular treatment option. The antibiotics contained in these oral medicines make them fairly effective in treating some cases of body acne. They are also used in case of very, very severe cases of facial acne.

The third common treatment for acne is hormone therapy, which is not very commonly used. In this treatment the doctor injects cortisones directly into lesions. However, there are many other treatment options available with hormone therapy, such as using inhibitors to prevent hormones like androgen from causing further outbreaks.

In recent years, laser therapy has become an effective treatment option for acne. Highly concentrated beams of light are aimed directly at the affected regions during laser treatment. The acne-causing bacteria can be literally vaporized with the intense heat from the laser. The true effectiveness of laser therapy can only be assessed after the patient has undergone several sessions with the laser.

The other advantage of laser therapy is that it can help reduce the scarring caused by acute cases of acne. Laser burns away the dead skin and makes the scars less noticeable. For maximum effectiveness especially in severe cases, the treatments and scar therapy may have to be staged over several months.

Unfortunately, laser treatment for acne costs quite a packed and most insurance plans do not cover this treatment. Laser treatment is likely to remain an expensive treatment option even for the coming years because the specialized equipment and facilities it requires are very costly. All acne treatment options including hormone therapy or oral medication carry some minimal risks. The risks involved in laser therapy are no greater.

Acne is a very brutal and cruel part of growing up. Some of us are hit with it pretty hard while others seem to escape the curse entirely with only an occasional blemish here or there. Topical ointments are fairly effective in treating mild acne, but they can do little to stem the tide of an acute case of acne. In such cases, consult with your doctor or dermatologist and ask if laser treatment is an option for you.