Acne and Acne Scars

Acne

Treatments.Several options are available. Patients with mild acne may be treated with \Blu-U Light or prescription medications. For severe cases, Accutane, laser treatment or photodynamic therapy may be recommended. Acne scarring can be treated in a variety of ways including Fraxel laser, soft tissue fillers, Rhytec, subcision or chemical peels.

The Blu-U Light is a therapy powered by light-based that penetrates the skin and destroys surface and ductal p. acnes bacteria quickly and easily. Its destruction rate surpasses the normal proliferation rate, assuring a rapid decrease in p. acnes that is unmatched by other treatments. This is a completely painless procedure. This is a safe procedure with almost no side effects. This treatment is designed for those individuals who have failed antibiotics. A total of 8 treatments are recommended. Treatments are performed twice weekly.

Photodynamic therapy for acne is an effective acne treatment. Treatments involve the application of a chemical for one hour, followed by activation of the chemical with Blu-U or IPL (intense pulsed light). Patients must avoid the sun for 48 hours after each treatment. Side effects include redness and/or peeling. Treatments are done every 2 to 3 weeks. Multiple treatment sessions (up to 6) may be needed for best results.

Acne Scars

The emotional turmoil this condition causes is shared by most. For many years the only treatment options for acne scars were much too invasive and only minimally effective. Today’s treatment options include laser therapy, filler injections, and dermabrasion. Lasers like Fraxel, are the desired option for most due to good outcomes, low risk and minimal or no downtime. The only sure method of preventing or limiting the extent of acne scars is treating acne early in its course, for as long as necessary. Topical and oral medicines are good first line treatments, but they often fail, and when they do lasers represent a great option to treat this troublesome condition.

Laser treatment for acne scars

Lasers have become the treatment of choice today for acne scars. Lasers work by stimulating collagen production in the skin, thereby smoothing out scars. This can be accomplished in a non ablative fashion (without removing tissue), ablative fashion (vaporizing or removing outer layers of skin) or in a microablative (microscopically removing tissue). The microablative or fractional method of resurfacing skin which the Fraxel laser uses has revolutionized the treatment for acne scars has become the gold standard today.

Non Laser Treatments for Acne Scarring

Non laser related treatments for acne scars consist of dermal filler injections, fat transfer, dermabrasion and surgery. Filler injections are the most popular of these options and this involves the use of specialized products (Restylane, Radiesse,…) to stretch or fill out the scars or to replace volume loss under the skin to make the scars look better.

The Intense Pulsed Light Systems (IPL) are very useful in treating red acne scars and blemishes, targeting the tiny blood vessels that give these marks a red color. Whether the scars are flat, raised or depressed, the energy from these specialized systems can make these annoying marks less visible. They are very commonly used in combination with the Fraxel which smooth the scars out.