GENERAL DERMATOLOGY

acne + acne scarring

We love acne!

Because we know we can help. Acne is a chronic, frustrating condition, but very treatable. Acne treatment can only be successful with a partner cheering you on—that partner is us. Each acne patient is unique, and we will work closely with you to develop a successful, tailored treatment plan. Close follow-up is essential to your success and we are committed to you until your acne is clear. We can use a combination of different treatment modalities, the most important being prescription medications plus a good home skin care regimen. Acne surgery (extractions), chemical peels, and laser and light treatments are other options that may complement your regimen.

Whether it’s your baby, your teenager, or you who is struggling with acne, please schedule an appointment to learn more. For immediate information, a great resource for all things acne is AcneNet.

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications are essential to your acne regimen, but knowing how to use them and in what combination is critical. Let us use our expertise and develop a plan for you. Most medications are covered by prescription health plans.

Acne Surgery (Acne Extractions)

An underused and underrated procedure, extractions allow us to “pop” your pimples in a safe, clean environment. Your acne lesions will resolve faster, and your chance for scarring will be reduced.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a great way to exfoliate, deep clean and unclog the pores. Salicylic acid is a peeling agent that can be very effective for acne, improving redness and inflammation and, at the same time, restoring your glow. We recommend a series of 4-6 treatments every 2-4 weeks. Learn more about peels.

LED Light Therapy

A great adjunct to traditional therapies, we are excited to offer LED light therapy to our acne patients. LED light therapy helps minimize current breakouts and prevents the development of new lesions. LED light utilizes blue light (415nm) to target P. acnes, the bacteria associated with acne. P. acnes is not bacteria that spreads from one person to another—it’s actually part of our normal skin flora and contributes to the inflammation associated with acne lesions.

Blue Light LED Therapy is FDA-approved for acne—safe and effective for all skin types, even during summer months. A great option for chest and back acne. It is non-invasive and pain-free so there are no side effects and no downtime. LED Therapy is cost effective and quick—each session is about 20 minutes. We recommend a minimum of 8 treatments—twice a week for 4 weeks. Learn more about LED light therapy.

Photodynamic Laser Therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is gaining popularity as a treatment for acne. Used alone and in combination with other traditional medications, PDT can be very effective. It is an alternative to those resistant to traditional medications, don’t want to take antibiotics, or those with more severe acne who do not want to use isotretinoin (Accutane).

A solution called Levulan is applied to the skin and allowed to incubate for one hour, after which blue light or intense pulsed light is used to target the oil gland. After treatment, strict sun avoidance is necessary for 24-48 hours. It not only improves acne, but it can also help improve discoloration and scarring, pore size, as well as texture and tone of the skin. A series of 3 treatments are recommended, 4 weeks apart. Learn more about PDT.

Acne Scarring

Acne scarring is one of the most difficult conditions that we treat as dermatologists. The most important thing is to prevent scarring by treating your acne as early as possible. Treatment for acne scarring usually requires a variety of treatment modalities, including chemical peels to improve dark and red spots and, for deeper scarring, ProFractional Resurfacing or Fraxel Dual skin resurfacing, procedures that treat both pigment and skin texture. Dermal fillers can also help soften specific areas. At Manhattan Dermatology, we are able to offer you a state-of-the-art combination approach.

Call us today at 310.546.1188 to schedule an appointment (or request one online) to discuss treatment options for acne or acne scarring. We look forward to seeing you!

Acne PHOTO GALLERY

Actual Patients of Manhattan Dermatology

  • PROCEDURE: ProFractional Resurfacing
  • CONCERN: acne scarring
  • SITE: full face
  • DETAILS: 2 treatments