IMPROVING SEVERE ACNE AND ACNE SCARRING
In most cases, patients with severe acne and nodulocystic acne are more concerned about severe acne scaring than the ongoing acne they experience. For severe acne and severe acne scarring, a significant portion of the face is affected and there is also a lot of pain and inflammation. Unless acne treatment is sought, it will not resolve on its own. Several modalities are available for severe acne treatment that address both the acne itself and acne scars.
Acne occurs at various severity levels in patients, ranging from pimples and flare-ups to chronic breakouts and nodulocystic acne with acne cysts and nodules. Due to the range of symptoms from occasional flare-ups to severe acne, acne treatment for patients are case specific.
ACNE INFLAMMATION AND ACNE SCAR TREATMENT FOR NODULOCYSTIC ACNE
Nodulocystic acne, or cystic acne, is a rare but severe form of acne. It typically develops in young men as multiple inflamed cysts and nodules, which may also turn deep red and purple. Due to the magnitude of the cysts, acne scar treatment is required to both reduce acne inflammation and scarring.
These nodulocystic cysts result from inflammation of lesions that are either papular or nodular, which are usually filled with yellow pus and can be several centimeters in diameter. Areas affected include face, chest, back and shoulders. Acne inflammation and acne scar treatment is typically done first with photodynamic treatment (PDT), followed by additional acne scar treatment. Prompt PDT acne treatment minimizes scarring and inflammation while also reducing the size of cysts and nodules.
LASER SKIN TREATMENT FOR SEVERE ACNE, NODULOCYSTIC ACNE
Dr. Umar of FineTouch Dermatology skin clinic typically uses a two-fold acne regimen for nodulocystic acne. The first aspect includes monthly photodynamic treatments using Levulan and VBeam, or however short or long is needed to reduce inflammation and minimize the cysts. Laser skin treatment, typically with Fraxel DUAL, is then used for acne scar removal and scar improvements. Patients must first have the severe acne treated or under control before treating specifically for acne scars.
Results of patient’s acne treatment with PDT and acne scar removal six weeks after his last Fraxel DUAL laser treatment.*
Dr. Umar says his favorite type of treatment for severe acne scars is with lasers, which are essentially controlled burns to your skin. Laser skin treatment is a more modern, effective treatment for control of depth with acne scars. Though nothing will reverse or minimize acne scars 100 percent, laser skin treatment procedures can improve acne scars in texture by 60 to 70 percent improvement in texture.
One of Dr. Umar’s favorite laser skin treatment procedures for severe acne scars is with Fraxel lasers. Fraxel DUAL is a non-ablative laser treatment that induces collagen remodeling to eliminate and minimize the appearance of severe acne scars. It is suitable for all skin tones and used two laser strength to rejuvenate and refine skin, while addressing acne treatment for scarring issues.
To learn more about different acne treatment and acne scar treatment procedures at FineTouch Dermatology skin clinic, read Acne Scars treatment at FineTouch Dermatology and schedule an appointment with Dr. Umar.