Why my Acne is Getting Worse After my First Isolaz Treatment

As is the case with many other acne treatments, acne can definitely get a little worse following the first or second treatment with Isolaz.  However, we have found that our patients start to really improve around treatment 2 or 3 and benefit from doing a series of about 4 to 8 treatments with treatments ideally spaced a week apart. One reason why I think patients get a little worse initially is because the treatment is bringing things to the surface that were eventually going to come out.  Additionally, if you stopped other acne treatments prior to starting Isolaz, that will contribute to the initial worsening of the acne until the benefits of the Isolaz start to kick in.  Hang in there though because Isolaz is effective.  Make sure to have the treatments done in the office of a board-certified dermatologist and that you have regular acne follow-up visits with the dermatologist during the period when you are receiving Isolaz treatments.

1.  If you discontinued your oral antibiotics prior to having an Isolaze treatment, you may be having a flare because you stopped your antibiotics. 

2.  It is possible to flare post-Isolaz, however most-patients just see their acne improve.  If you do experience a flare, it does not mean the Isolaz is not working, instead it is working well, and you should expect improvement and less flaring with subsequent treatments.

3.  Most patients clear with 3-4 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart.  The number of treatments can range from 2-6 and you should continue your topicals to optimize and maintain your results.