Acne is a medical skin disease that affects both men and women, known medically as acne vulgaris. Acne occurs at various severity levels, ranging from flare-ups and pimples to chronic breakouts and nodulocystic acne with acne cysts and nodules. This patient required severe acne treatment procedures for both nodulocystic acne and acne scar removal treatments.
NODULOCYSTIC ACNE SYMPTOMS WITH ACNE CYSTS AND NODULES
In the case of this patient with nodulocystic acne consisting of multiple acne cysts and nodules, Dr. Umar opted for monthly photodynamic treatment (PDT) using Levulan and the VBeam laser, followed by acne scar removal treatments using Fraxel DUAL laser. Acne scars resemble small “craters” made of scar tissue, which differ in appearance and consistency than surrounding skin.
Before photos of teenage patient for severe acne treatment and acne scar removal.*
Patient before monthly photodynamic treatment (PDT) using Levulan and the VBeam laser, followed by acne scar removal treatments using Fraxel DUAL laser.*
SEVERE ACNE AND ACNE SCAR REMOVAL TREATMENTS USING PDT AND FRAXEL DUAL
PDT is a preferred acne treatment to minimize acne scars due to its low side effects and efficacy using VBeam and Levulan, a topical photosensitizer. Levulan is applied 30 to 45 minutes prior to each therapy. The 585 – 595 nanometer laser sessions for severe acne treatment are done monthly. After PDT, sunburn-like effects are common and require patient downtime.
Fraxel DUAL laser therapy is used acne scar removal treatment. Fraxel DUAL is a non-ablative laser treatment that induces collagen remodeling to eliminate and minimize the appearance of severe acne scars.
Results on this patient are shown at six weeks after his last Fraxel DUAL laser treatment.
Results on this patient with severe nodulocystic acne and severe acne scarring are shown at six weeks after his last laser treatment for acne treatment and acne scar removal.*
Close up photo results on this patient with severe nodulocystic acne and severe acne scarring are shown at six weeks after his last laser treatment for acne treatment and acne scar removal.*
Results of patient’s severe acne treatment and acne scar removal six weeks after his last Fraxel DUAL laser treatment.*