Method of treating acne

A method of treating a patient who has an unwanted skin condition associated with the production of sebum, the method comprising:

• generating, on the patient's skin, a target region having substantially clear pores, wherein generating the target region comprises applying an acidic composition to an area of the patient's skin and heating or mechanically abrading the area;
• topically administering an exogenous chromophore onto the target region, wherein the chromophore absorbs laser light having a wavelength between about 700 nm to about 1200 nm;
• and
• irradiating the target region with laser light having a wavelength between about 700 nm to about 1200 nm form a time sufficient to inhibit subsequent sebum production within the target region.