What is Acne?
Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become blocked with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, leading to breakouts that range from blackheads and whiteheads to painful, inflamed cysts. While it is often associated with adolescence, acne can affect people of all ages and skin types and is influenced by a complex interplay of hormones, inflammation, genetics, lifestyle factors, and skin barrier health. When left untreated or managed incorrectly, acne can impact not only the skin’s appearance but also long-term skin health, pigmentation, and confidence.
What Is Contact Yag?
Contact Yag is a non-ablative medical laser that delivers controlled 1064 nm laser energy into the deeper layers of the skin. In acne treatment, this wavelength targets the inflammatory component of acne, helping calm painful lesions and reduce the bacterial environment that drives breakouts.
Unlike surface-based acne treatments, Contact Yag works below the skin, making it particularly effective for deep, inflamed, nodular, and cystic acne.
How Contact Yag Treats Acne
Because the treatment does not damage the epidermis, it is well-suited to sensitive, inflamed, or compromised skin. Contact Yag improves active acne through several key mechanisms:
- Reduces inflammation within deep acne lesions.
- Targets acne-causing bacteria.
- Improves oxygenation and microcirculation in affected tissue.
- Accelerates healing of painful cysts and nodules.
- Reduces the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Acne Conditions Treated with Contact Yag
- Painful acne cysts
- Nodular and inflammatory acne
- Sore, deep breakouts that do not surface
- Acne resistant to topical treatments
- Acne flares with redness and swelling
- Acne in darker skin types, where pigmentation risk is higher
Key Benefits of Contact Yag
- Calms painful, inflamed acne lesions
- Helps shrink deep cysts and nodules
- Reduces redness and swelling
- Supports faster lesion resolution
- Non-invasive with minimal downtime
- Safe for all skin types, including darker skin tones
- Reduces post-inflammatory pigmentation risk
Is Contact Yag Safe for All Skin Types?
Contact Yag is safe for Fitzpatrick skin types I–VI, including melanin-rich and acne-prone skin. This makes it an excellent option for acne in darker skin types, where inflammation-related pigmentation is a common concern. The 1064 nm wavelength bypasses surface melanin, reducing the risk of:
- Burns
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Barrier disruption
Contact Yag as Part of a Doctor-Led Acne Solution
At Skin Renewal, Contact Yag is not used as a stand-alone acne solution. Acne is a complex medical condition influenced by hormones, inflammation, gut health, lifestyle, and skincare practices.
Following a comprehensive consultation, Contact Yag may be combined with:
This multi-layered approach ensures active acne is treated safely while reducing recurrence and long-term skin damage.
