Acne Treatment | Acne Scar Treatment
To one level or another, most people develop acne at some point in their lives. Acne, also known as “Acne Vulgaris” in medical circles, mostly affects individuals in and around their teen years, but it can carry on through adulthood and can in some cases leave permanent scars. We treat acne and acne scars in our Cincinnati location.
Many teens have had a negative experience or two with minor acne during their school years. But these often clear up after a few days—maybe with a little help from some type of over-the-counter acne treatment—and as we reach maturity, we leave most of our acne problems behind us.
However, the development of severe acne is an entirely different matter. Severe acne is indicated by scars, cysts and nodules, among other pitted, pocked or inflamed areas, usually around the face, neck, shoulders and back. Not only can severe acne have a lifelong negative impact on one’s appearance, it can also affect that person psychologically. It is not difficult to understand why severe acne can contribute to self-esteem problems, depression and other mental health issues that can seriously diminish one’s quality of life.
What Causes Acne?
As young people develop physically, their hormones become more active and their bodies go through many changes. This increased hormonal activity affects the sebaceous gland—an oil-producing gland that is connected to the pores and hair follicles in the skin—and causes it to produce more oil.
Fraxel Laser Resurfacing Reduces Wrinkles, Acne Scars, & More
The oil that is produced by the sebaceous gland is called “sebum,” and in many cases, teens produce an overabundance of sebum, which can clog the pores and trap bacteria and dead skin cells within the pores or follicles. When this occurs, the skin becomes irritated and reacts by producing acne in various levels of severity.
Common acne consists of whiteheads, blackheads and other minor papules, pustules and blemishes that eventually clear up without leaving permanent scarring. But some are not so fortunate as to only have had to battle through a handful of years with rather minor acne problems.
When enough bacteria builds up within the pores underneath the skin, follicle walls can rupture causing the skin to become inflamed. As the condition worsens, nodules, lesions, large pustules and cysts can develop and permanently damage the skin by leaving behind unsightly scars.
Scarring occurs in varying degrees and takes on a variety of forms. There are two major categories of scarring: atrophic and hypertrophic. Atrophic scarring is indicated by indentations in the skin or a loss of tissue, and hypertrophic scarring is indicated by bumps, raised skin or excess tissue. In either case, without effective acne scar treatment, scarring from severe acne can last a lifetime. Call our Cincinnati location to schedule your acne treatments or keep reading for more information.
Acne Treatment Varies According to Severity
For relatively minor bouts of acne, there are numerous over-the-counter products available that can be used to help clear up whiteheads, blackheads and other blemishes. A twice-daily cleaning regimen that uses soap and warm water to gently clean the affected area can help reduce the severity of acne problems. Hard scrubbing is not recommended, however, as this may irritate the affected area and make matters worse.
A variety of creams, lotions and pads are available that can help cleanse and treat minor acne conditions. These topical treatments contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and azelaic acid, which have shown to be fairly effective. But acne treatment for more severe cases may consist of oral medications such as antibiotics or Accutane, along with a variety of techniques that must be carried out by a medical professional.*
Acne Scar Treatment at The Dermatology Laser and Vein Center
At one time, there was little hope for those who were left with scars from a severe acne problem. But acne scar treatment has now evolved to the point where scarring can be significantly diminished, or in many cases, eradicated altogether through a variety of treatment methods.*
Depending on the level of care and healing a patient requires, acne scar treatment can call for a number of different approaches, or a combination of several techniques. These include chemical peels, filling agents, an exfoliation and collagen stimulation procedure called “microdermabrasion,” ProFractional laser therapy, laser skin resurfacing and a process called “Thermage.”*
For those who are struggling to find answers to the question of how to reduce acne scars, there is cause for great optimism. The area’s leading cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Shalini Gupta, and her expert team at The Dermatology Laser and Vein Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, make use of the very latest technologies to effectively administer acne scar treatment.*
Dr. Gupta will first determine what type of acne scar treatment is required for a particular patient. Then, Dr. Gupta will apply her experience, expertise and unique healing skills to achieve results for that patient that are no less than stunning.
The laser-based scar treatment methods that Dr. Gupta has at her disposal allow her to stimulate collagen growth in order to generate new, healthy skin on a patient where it is required. By combining several different modes of treatment, a patient’s skin can be regenerated, resurfaced and tightened in and around areas where scarring has occurred. This can greatly enhance the patient’s appearance and in many cases give them a new lease on life.*
The Dermatology Laser and Vein Center is the premier facility for cosmetic dermatology in Cincinnati and the surrounding region. Dr. Gupta and her team combine talent with compassion to successfully perform acne scar treatment regardless of the level of severity. The knowledgeable and accommodating staff at The Dermatology Laser and Vein Center welcome you to contact them with any questions, to schedule an assessment, or to discuss how to treat your acne scars.*
