Read the following information about how you or your loved one can receive effective acne treatment in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, or Canon City:

Although creams and medications are often a first line of offense in the battle against acne, a number of light-based and medical laser therapies are now being used with success. These dermatological treatments target the bacteria responsible for acne inflammation and may be used alone or in combination with medications. Your physician can determine the best therapy or combination of therapies to address your particular case of acne.

Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic Therapy is a combination of Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) and/or blue light and a photosensitizing agent, and is the most recent advance in light-based skin treatments. This powerful combination of light and medication can result in dramatic improvement in precancerous actinic keratosis spots, sun-damaged skin, rosacea, moderate to severe cystic acne and acne scars. Levulan® PDT treatment works by inactivating the bacteria that cause acne, exfoliating the skin, unclogging pores and finally eliminating the cause of the acne by closing down the skin’s sebaceous glands.

What Can I Expect from PDT Treatment?

Levulan® solution will be applied to the skin by the clinician. After a one to two hour wait, the medicine will be activated with Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL), blue-light or a combination of the two to be determined by the physician. Any discomfort during the procedure will be eased by a topical anesthetic cream, and eyes will be protected with special goggles. Patients say treatment feels like sting, tingling, prickling or burning as lesions are destroyed, but all this should go away soon after treatment.

What Is the Recovery Time?

After treatment, you will experience some redness and peeling and perhaps some redness, swelling and crusting, which will be most intense in the first one or two days. You will need to stay indoors and out of the sun as much as possible for 48 hours, as your skin will be more prone to burning during this time.

Fraxel® Restore

Fraxel® Restore is a laser technology often used on mild to moderate acne. During the procedure, pulses from a laser target tiny areas of skin the affected area, causing controlled damage in the affected area and encouraging the skin’s natural rejuvenation process by stimulating collagen. New skin will grow back to replace the scarred and damaged skin. Each treatment takes about 30 minutes.

What Can I Expect from Fraxel® Restore?

Each Fraxel® Restore treatment takes 15 to 35 minutes, and one to five treatments will generally yield best results. You may experience mild to moderate pain during the procedure and may have some swelling and redness for a couple of days afterward. Within one to three days after treatment, you’ll be able to resume your normal social schedule. Our clinician will discuss ways you can ensure optimal healing and continued skin protection by skin care methods including consistent use of sunscreen.

What Is the Recovery Time?

Fraxel® laser treatment is a safe, effective procedure with few risks and side-effects, and most people just experience some sunburn-like discomfort and redness for a few days afterwards. However, depending on skin types and conditions, risks may include pain, scarring, burning sensations, itching, rashes, crusting and development of milia, small white bumps or cysts on the skin.

If You Have More Questions About Acne Treatment

Please contact Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic to schedule a consultation to talk to one of our board-certified dermatologists about your medical condition and what about your options for the highest level of acne treatment in the Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Canon City, CO areas.