Acne 101 - The ABC’s of Back-to-school Acne Treatments

Back-to-school time is here. For many students, back-to-school means new wardrobes, laptops, and tall tales about summer adventures. But for others, it can be all about anxiety over acne breakouts.

Acne takes many different forms. Some complexions are marred by clogged pores (blackheads and whiteheads). Others have inflamed pimples (pustules), or deeper lumps or cysts (nodules). Acne can occur on the face as well as other body parts including the neck chest, back shoulders, and upper arms. Left untreated, acne can leave permanent, disfiguring scars.

Store-bought pimple creams may mark the spot, but they likely won’t get rid of it in time for the Homecoming dance. One of the strongest acne medications, Accutane, was recently withdrawn from the market due to safety issues and related lawsuits. Accutane was the remedy of choice for people with severe acne who did not respond to topical therapies. Unfortunately, it also produced some devastating side effects for teens with acne.

But new lasers and other acne-erasing technologies have already filled the gap. For instance, a new treatment that combines vacuum and laser technology can basically clean clogged, inflamed pores from the inside out. Called the Isolaz system, this new photopneumatic technology improves mild to moderate acne and pustular acne. The best part? Improvements are visible within two days after treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a procedure that can significantly improve moderate to severe acne, including cystic acne. PDT uses a topical agent called Levulan in combination with specialized lasers and light sources, inactivating the bacteria that trigger acne, exfoliating the skin to unclog pores, and decreasing the activity of overactive sebaceous glands in the skin. With three mechanisms of action, it has a long lasting effect in the majority of patients.

Another laser that can target and treat problem acne in teens is the V-beam. The V-beam takes the red out of acne by targeting the blood vessels. This laser can rapidly extinguish inflammatory lesions as well as zap the acne-forming bacteria. V-beam gets rid of your acne and stops it from coming back.

The Smoothbeam tackles acne from a different angle. This laser delivers a gentle, but powerful beam of light that penetrates below the skin to target the overactive sebaceous (oil) glands, the root cause of acne. In addition to reducing the activity of the gland, the SmoothBeam kills the acne causing bacteria under the skin. Its energy also stimulates the body to produce collagen, which, after a series of treatments, can lead to an improvement in the appearance of acne scars.

For some teens, the damage has been done and they are left to deal with acne scars. Two powerful treatments in your physician’s toolbox to help acne scars include the Fraxel laser and Portrait PSR. The Fraxel treatment removes damaged skin on the surface and stimulates collagen remodeling. Portrait, the Plasma Skin Regeneration (PSR) procedure, works by delivering rapid pulses of nitrogen-based plasma to the skin’s surface. This gas activates and stimulates the collagen beneath the surface of the skin, causing new, healthy skin to emerge.

Some doctors use a two-pronged approach to getting rid of acne scars. They start by injecting a dermal filler such as Restylane or Juvederm into the scars to raise the pitted surface of the skin before stimulating new collagen growth with lasers or other technologies.

To figure out what might work best for you, do your homework. Find a physician who is skilled in treating acne and acne scars, and has multiple technologies available to match to your specific needs. Remember there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for either. Only a seasoned specialist will be able to choose the correct treatment course and technologies for your skin type and problem.