Acne Treatments

 

Acne scars can be successfully reduced with a fractional laser like the Sciton ProFractional. Only 2-4 sessions are needed and patients benefit from little downtime, especially after ProFractional Laser Therapy.

Acne is a chronic skin disease caused by overproduction or accumulation of skin oil (sebum) and associated inflammatory changes and infectious process in the skin. Non-inflammatory acne occurs when sebum accumulates in form of white speck best known as ‘whiteheads’. The retention of dark particles (keratin formed by skin turnover) leads to the formation of ‘blackheads’. Inflammatory changes result in formation of pink or red pimples. The content of these pimples is usually infested by skin bacteria (Propionicum Acnes) and under such condition the acne worsens. Nodules are localized accumulations of pus and skin oils and are infested with bacteria. They can be very tender to touch.

 

 

 

Before laser therapy

After laser therapy


The human body in its natural process of healing tries to wall-off areas of inflammation and infection. As a result, acne cysts form like sacks full of pus and skin debris. Ultimately, nodules and cysts heal but usually with formation of acne scars, often extensive and deep. These scars stay on the skin for the rest of life but nowadays they can be effectively treated.

Acne Scars

Acne very often results in skin scaring.  Acne scars come in various shapes and sizes. Deep scars with sharp edges are called ice-pick scars when their shape is triangular, box-scars if they are rectangular. However, most of the acne scars are irregular and of variable depth. This means that their floor is uneven.

 

 

 

Acne Scars Before Fraxel Treatment

Acne Scars After Fraxel Treatment


It is unfortunate that so many young people suffer from acne, spend a lot of money on over-the-counter remedies that usually do not make a significant improvement, and with time develop face scarring. According to recent polls from the United States, more than 70% of people with acne scars think that their acne scars negatively affect their vocational and personal success.

 

Acne Treatments

Acne is not a simple skin disease but its severity is related to the skin condition, genetics, bacterial infestation of the skin, lifestyle (including the use of skin foundation and dietary intake of fats), level of skin care, etc. Therefore, in order to bring a significant improvement, a prescribed treatment regimen for acne needs to encompass several issues affecting skin and acne! That is, a successful acne treatment regimen should be based on multi-facet approach to acne. Therefore, the best effects can be achieved with combination therapy as single treatment modality is usually not effective in management of acne.

Following treatment modalities are used in treatment of acne:

 

Lifestyle modifications:

  • Dietary modifications
  • Stress management
  • Elimination of conventional make up and skin foundations

 

Skin Care Programs

  • Acne Facials
  • Skin Care regimen for oily or acneic skin (when appropriate)
  • Use (if desired) of non-comedonic mineral make-up (like Jane Iredale)
  • Regular use of sun block

 

Reduction of skin oil production

  • Hormonal therapy (birth control pills)

  • Diane 35 (Cyproterone Acetate)

  • Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

  • Specialized Laser Treatments like Sciton 1319 ThermaScan

  • Intense Pulsed Light

  • Thermage® skin tightening for shrinking of sebaceous glands

  • Oil production control with BLU-U Photodynamic Therapy

  • Microdermabrasion

  • Chemical peels

  • Photodynamic Therapy with Levulan

  • Acne-Facials’ to de-clog skin pores

  • Topical retinoids

 

Reduction of skin infestation by bacteria

  • Topical drugs with antibiotics and/or skin drying agents
  • Oral antibiotics
  • Specialized laser treatments like Sciton 1319 ThermaScan
  • Intense Pulsed Light
  • Photodynamic Therapy with Levulan

 

Reduction of skin redness from acne-related inflammation

  •  Intense Pulsed Light

 

Reduction of acne cysts

  • Micro-injections of drugs (steroids and/or antibiotics into cysts

  • Levulan Photodynamic Therapy

  • Accutane oral therapy

 

Reduction of ingrown hair (if ingrown hair worsens acne)

  • Laser hair removal
  • Levulan PhotoDynamic Therapy

 

Treatments of scarring acne

  • Micro-injections of drugs into active acne lesions

  • Levulan Photodynamic Therapy

  • Accutane

 

Treatments of Acne Scars

  • Removal of ice pick and box scars (surgical excision by punch biopsy)
  • Reduction of acne scars by removal of outermost skin layer (Microdermabrasion, deep chemical peels, ProFractional Sciton Laser, Laser Micropeel)
  • Reduction of acne scars by collagen remodeling (Sciton 1319 nm ThermascanClearscan, ProFractional Sciton Laser, Thermage®).
  • Cosmetic Fillers for selected scars (temporary solution)


The above long list of available treatments is exhaustive. During your no-obligation confidential consultation your condition will be carefully assessed and the optimum treatment plan developed. In the MD Spa and Laser Clinic we have excellent results in managing acne. Give yourself a change to get better and come for your consultation!