Acne Treatment

There are numerous ways to treat acne. Finding the appropriate individualized treatment is the job of a dermatologist. A dermatologist can determine the severity of the acne, the types of lesions present and any other co-existing conditions. Acne responds especially well to early treatment. Dermatologists recommend getting acne treatment as early as possible in order to maximize effectiveness and to help prevent scarring.

Never touch comedos, papules and pustules. Dermatologists have the knowledge and the right equipment to treat and remove these impurities.

Overall washing of the skin does not help to treat acne and may even increase the production of oil. Washing two times a day with a ph-neutral facial foam is sufficient. Peelings containing fruit acids help to improve the skin's structure.

Common Treatments:

• Soft tissue fillers: Soft tissue fillers work by stretching the skin to make scars less noticable. Collagen or fat is injected under scar tissue to fill out the skin.  Results are short-term and injections need to be repeated.

• Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion is used for severe scarring. It works by using  a rapidly rotating wire brush to remove the top layer of skin. Surface scars are removed and deeper scars are less noticeable.

• Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion works by blowing crystals onto the skin that gently polish the skin's surface. A vacuum is then used to suck up the crystals and dead skin cells. Surface cells are removed and scars are less noticeable. Results are subtle and the treatment needs to be repeated.

• Laser resurfacing: Laser resurfacing works by using a laser beam to kill the cells of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and to heat the dermis (underlying layer of skin). This causes new skin to form and scars are less noticable.

• Skin surgery: A minor procedure cuts out acne scars and a skin graft repairs the skin.