Acne Treatment with Lasers & Energy-Based Devices: The Skincare Algorithm

Which skincare should you use when acne is treated with lasers, IPL, photodynamic therapy (PDT), or microneedling? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain is in Paris at the L'Oréal Skin Alliance conference with Dr. Cheng-Feng Zhang, Professor of Dermatology at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai. Dr. Zhang is an expert in acne, pigmentary disorders, and cosmetic dermatology.

Both doctors helped write a new international consensus paper: a practical algorithm for combining skincare with energy-based devices (EBDs) for acne. It was published in February 2026 in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD), and Dr. Jill Waibel is the first author. In this episode they explain why the goal of acne treatment should be completely clear skin, and how prescription therapy, in-office procedures, and a good skincare routine work together to get there.

In this episode:

• Why oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) drive acne inflammation and acne scarring
• How post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) relate to acne scars
• Antioxidant serums for acne-prone skin: silymarin, vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), and ferulic acid
• Why daily broad-spectrum sunscreen matters for acne patients
• Acne and skin barrier dysfunction: ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids in moisturizers
• Gentle, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic cleansers, and whether double cleansing makes sense
• Energy-based devices for acne and acne scars: blue light, red light, IPL, PDT, pulsed dye laser, fractional laser, radiofrequency, and microneedling
• When to stop retinoids before laser and light procedures, and when to start them again

This episode is sponsored by SkinCeuticals.

Have a question or an idea for a future episode? Email inquiry@scienceofskinsummit.com.

⚠️ This content is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects the personal clinical opinions and experiences of the speakers. It is not medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for questions about diagnosis or treatment.

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