What’s The Number One Reason People See A Dermatologist?
Acne, the number one reason people see a dermatologist, occurs in most teenagers and may continue into adulthood. Whiteheads, blackheads, and other acne lesions are due to clogged pores. Bacteria are often involved, leading to redness, inflammation, and the formation of nodules or cysts, which can lead to scars. Advanced Dermatology offers a wide array of treatments and products to improve acne prone skin, including oral and topical prescription medications, laser/light procedures, and facials.
Topical acne medications are applied to the skin to treat mild acne. These medications contain antibiotics that destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria or agents that renew the skin more quickly and therefore reduce acne. Oral medications, including antibiotics, hormone therapy, and isotretinoin (Accutane) medications taken everyday for a period of time and can be effective in treating acne by improving current acne breakouts and preventing reoccurrences. Isotretinoin is often used for severe, scarring acne resistant to other medications. One treatment cycle typically takes 4 to 5 months to complete and about 75% of patients see clearing after completing the course. Hormonal medications are reserved for treating women with hormonal acne flares and include some oral contraceptive pills, spironolactone, and hormone replacement therapy.
Laser/light treatments are appropriate for people who are dissatisfied with acne medications and want alternative treatment options. These procedures use light to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and reduce clogged pores. Advanced Dermatology’s state-of-the-art procedures may be used alone or in combination with prescription medications.
Our newest acne laser treatment, Aerolase® LightPod Neo®, can provide a safe, quick, and effective treatment to clear up acne. Without touching the skin, the LightPod Neo® acne treatment heats p. acnes bacteria in the sebaceous gland and surrounding tissue to kill the bacteria which produces acne flare ups. A reduction in swelling and inflammation results in immediate relief of acne discomfort such as pain and pressure in acne lesions. The LightPod Neo® acne treatment requires no anesthesia and there may be minimal pain and downtime. We recommend 3 to 6 treatments spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. Additional treatments are highly encouraged to maintain your results. Isolaz™ Deep Pore Lazr Therapy uses suction and intense pulsed light to clear acne and clean pores, making them smaller and less noticeable. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light or laser energy to treat moderate to severe acne, including cystic. A prescription liquid called Levulan is applied to the skin and light activates the medication. The combination of Levulan and light not only treats the diseased skin cells or glands, it also makes the skin healthier, smooth, and clear, possibly even preventing skin cancer.
Lastly, Advanced Dermatology offers many facial and peel acne treatment options. The SilkPeel™ Dermal– Infusion System is a water-based microdermabrasion that includes an infusion of serums that can be tailored to acne therapy to clear pores. Acne facials and/or acne chemical peels are also helpful adjuncts for acne treatment.