Procedures

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LASER:
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Hair Removal
Photofacials
Acne/Pimples
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Acne Blue Light
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Titan Tummy Tuck
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Tattoo Removal
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Dermatology:
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Acne Treatments

Acne is something most of us have experienced at one time or another. As many as three out of four teenagers have experienced it to some extent. It is most prevalent during adolescence because hormonal changes stimulate the sebaceous glands (oil glands) into producing more sebum (oil), increasing the chance of acne.

While most people outgrow acne in their late teens or early twenties, many continue to be affected much longer way into adulthood. Aggravation of acne in later life may occur with menstrual periods and hormones, use of birth control pills, use of oil-based products (cosmetics, moisturizers), genetics, and stress.

What causes acne?

Acne occurs when the oil produced by sebaceous glands does not reach the surface of the skin but is trapped in tiny pores or follicles. This plug may close off the pore, causing the follicle wall to bulge, which creates a whitehead. If the pore stays open, the top surface of the plug may become darkened, causing a blackhead. In both cases, the bacteria, P. acnes, thrives in the clogged follicles. When the bacteria and pus leak from the follicle into the surrounding tissue, pimples and acne cysts are formed.

You may have heard that "blackheads are dirt", "only teens have acne", "junk foods cause acne", or "it will just go away by itself." These and other myths have prevented many from seeking the appropriate acne treatment for years.

Your doctor will determine the severity of your acne and may select one or more medical treatments that are best for you. The basic steps of acne control may include topical agents and antibiotics, oral antibiotics, comedolytics (such as Retin-A™), astringents and exfoliants, and antibacterial soaps.

Recent advances in light-based acne treatments include (See our Acne Spectrum Light Treatments):

(New Laser Treatments For Everyday Acne)

Light based systems which use a high intensity blue-light/ pulsed light in the 400 spectrum is designed specifically to kill the bacteria responsible for acne vulgaris. Light based treatments cause photothermolysis which is targeted to stimulate a photoactivated by-product which kills the P. acnes bacteria, usually resulting in a prolonged time of remission and reduction in the acne process.

Acne scar and/or inflammatory hyperpigmentation treatments:

Injections with fillers are potentially good treatments for deep acne scars. These fillers can be injected into the area of the scar, smoothing depressions. Results are immediately apparent. Patients usually require touch-up treatments every six months to two years. Our office is not using fillers at this time. We feel that there are better agents available in Canada and Europe that are not FDA approved yet in the U.S. and we do not feel the fillers available are worth the risk of their adverse reactions.

Dermabrasion is often recommended for severe acne scars and works well on both raised and grooved areas of the skin. The skin is first treated with an anesthetic, and the top layer of the skin is then "sanded down" with a wire brush or diamond burr. Seven to ten days later, the skin forms a new, smoother layer. Patients can expect full recovery in about six weeks. Our office does not perform this procedure because it can cause serious scarring or pigmentation problems, and we feel it is best avoided.

Chemical Peels use a chemical solution to burn/exfoliate away the fine outer layers of the skin. The solutions are available in several strengths, depending on the degree of peeling desired. Healing can take from three days to three weeks. A new, smoother layer of skin is then formed.

Our office finds Nu-Look Skin Peels™ very useful for aged skin, pigmentary problems, actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous lesions), acne, and acne scarring. These are especially useful when done with a combined physician directed treatment program for acne or other skin conditions, and may include acne laser spectrum light therapy with a 400 nano spectrum series of treatments, and possibly other prescription medications.

Non-ablative laser treatments (meaning non-destructive to tissue) or pulsed light treatments that cause collagen remodeling and reduce redness and vascularity, do not require anesthesia, as they are generally not painful and there is no significant downtime. Most patients receive a series of about three treatments but even individual treatments can be very helpful. Depending on the type of acne, acne scars, or aging, redness, and pigmentation problems, the improvement can be dramatic. The improvement though is gradual and continues to improve even after the treatment stops. Other non-acne scars and stretch marks can also be improved, especially those with redness and vascularity involvement within the scar or within the stretch marks.

Pharmacological and medicinal treatments are also done by our office physician and may include topical agents, such as, topical antibiotics, topical exfoliants and surface agents like Retin A™, special soaps, and finally oral medications may used, which can include oral antibiotic prescriptions, and in certain cases hormonal regulation or hormonal modulators.

Very severe acne scarring may require more invasive laser resurfacing with CO2 ablative (meaning destructive to tissue) lasers. This is usually done by plastic surgeons and has a much higher incidence of adverse reactions than other non-ablative laser treatments. It allows your plastic surgeon to vaporize the damaged or acne-scarred skin to try and achieve a smoother, fresher skin when healed. This type of ablative laser scar removal is usually performed with the administration of intravenous sedation or general anesthesia by an anesthesiologist. This is a much more invasive ablative laser procedure, and our office will not perform this procedure due to the fact many more adverse reactions can occur. Serious consideration should be given to the risk of this invasive procedure versus it's benefit before proceeding to your local plastic surgeon for this procedure. Mild to moderate scarring is best treated by sticking with the non-ablative procedures above, chemical peels, and office treatment with prescription medications that can be performed in this office.

Please contact our office for any of your acne needs and let us evaluate what we can do to help you.

There is absolutely no reason why anyone should put up with the emotional stress and anxiety of acne with the variety of treatments available today. There is no magic potion to make all go away instantly, but there are many good therapeutic options.

You deserve it, go for it! It will be money well spent!

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