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 Acne is a common
skin condition, especially among teenagers. Treatments for acne and scars
that result from acne have included topical creams and lotions as well
as systemic treatment with antibiotics and occasionally Accutane. Still,
many patients either fail to respond to traditional treatment or prefer
to avoid taking pills. For those patients, Dr. Thomas Rohrer of the SkinCare
Physicians of Chestnut Hill in Boston recommends laser treatments such
as the Smoothbeam from Candela. Here's our conversation with Dr. Rohrer:
Dr. ROHRER: The Smoothbeam laser has demonstrated great success in treating back acne, which has been resistant to many existing therapies. Now, the FDA has cleared Smoothbeam for all acne, which is a very exciting development. Now patients who suffer through the social embarrassment of acne have an effective option to prescribed medical treatments. WAVELENGTH: How does Smoothbeam remove acne? Dr. ROHRER: The Smoothbeam laser creates a slight thermal injury to the middle layers of the skin. In doing so, it heats up sebaceous glands and can actually cause them to decrease in size and likely reduce their output of sebum. When sebum production is reduced, fewer acne lesions are formed. The Smoothbeam laser offers a safe and fairly rapid way to target the sebaceous gland and reduce acne. WAVELENGTH: How did you treat acne before laser therapies? Dr. ROHRER: We have always used, and continue to use, topical and oral treatments. Just before the Smoothbeam laser was cleared by the FDA to treat acne, we had tried using other light sources to treat acne. While these other light sources could effectively reduce active acne, they required two treatments a week for a month and the results were very short lived. The results lasted only a month or two, and then retreatment was necessary. WAVELENGTH: How long term are the results with Smoothbeam? Dr. ROHRER: The technology is relatively new, so it is difficult to say. The first study done on back acne showed the results lasted to the end of the study, which was six months after the last treatment. We have been treating patients for two years now and have had very few recurrences.  WAVELENGTH:
Is the treatment patient-friendly? Dr. ROHRER: Yes. While the procedure does hurt, the area is only minimally red for a few hours. Patients can return to their normal activities that same day and do not require any cover up or ointment. WAVELENGTH: How does Smoothbeam work to remove acne scarring? Dr. ROHRER: Acne scarring ranges widely in type and degree. At SkinCare Physicians, we typically tackle the problem with a combination of treatments. In addition to surgical procedures, laser resurfacing and filler injection of scars, we often use Smoothbeam. The Smoothbeam creates a thermal injury in the mid dermis. The body responds to this by sending cells called fibroblasts to the area. The fibroblasts make collagen and help fill in the scars. It is also likely that the Smoothbeam increases collagenase, a substance which helps remodel the scar. In any event, the results have been very impressive. WAVELENGTH: Smoothbeam is also FDA cleared for helping to minimize wrinkles. Has it proven to be effective there as well? Dr. ROHRER: Studies have shown significant improvement of facial wrinkles with the Smoothbeam. WAVELENGTH: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us about Smoothbeam, Dr. Rohrer.
 About Thomas E. Rohrer, M.D. Thomas E. Rohrer, M.D. practices at SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, one of the Boston area's leading centers for cosmetic and laser surgery, dermatology, dermatologic and skin cancer surgery, and medical aesthetics. He is one of the nation's foremost authorities on dermatologic and laser surgery, having lectured internationally, been published in numerous journals and textbooks, and appeared on all major networks about related topics. A magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown University and the Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Rohrer completed his internship in internal medicine at Yale University Hospital and completed a residency in dermatology at the combined Boston University-Tufts University program. He completed a Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Dr. Leonard Dzubow. Board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Rohrer served as Chief of Dermatologic Surgery at Boston University Medical Center and the Boston Veterans Administration Hospital, and the Director of the Boston University Center for Cosmetic and Laser Surgery.
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