Do you or a loved one suffer from acne? Are over-the-counter and self-remedies not working? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans suffer mild to severe acne during their lifetime. Fortunately, at Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic, PC, we offer several advanced and effective treatments to treat and reduce acne inflammation.
Although creams and medications are often the first line of offense in the battle against acne, several light-based and medical laser therapies are successfully being used. These dermatological treatments target the bacteria responsible for acne inflammation and may be used alone or with medications. Your physician can determine the best therapy or combination of therapies to address your particular case of acne.
Please contact CSDERM today to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists. We can discuss your medical condition and your options for the highest level of acne treatment in the Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Cañon City, CO, areas.
What causes acne?
Acne primarily arises from the excessive production of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the skin’s sebaceous glands. This excess oil can clog pores, accumulating dead skin cells and bacteria, triggering inflammation, and resulting in pimples, cysts, or cystic acne. Hormonal changes, particularly during puberty, menstruation, or hormonal therapies, can also contribute to increased sebum production. Additionally, factors such as diet, stress, and some medications can exacerbate acne symptoms. Understanding the root causes of acne is crucial for selecting effective treatment options and maintaining healthy skin.
Reference: MedicalNewsToday
Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic Therapy combines Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) and blue light, as well as a photosensitizing agent, and is the most recent advance in light-based skin treatments. This powerful combination of light and medication can dramatically improve 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?
Your doctor or specialist will apply Levulan® solution to the skin. After a one—to two-hour wait, the medicine will be activated with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), blue light, or a combination of the two to be determined by the physician. A topical anesthetic cream will ease discomfort during the procedure, and the eyes will be protected with special goggles. Patients say treatment feels like a 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, peeling, and perhaps some redness, swelling, and crusting, which will be most intense in the first one or two days. You must stay indoors and out of the sun as much as possible for 48 hours, as your skin will be more prone to burning.
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 in the affected area, causing controlled damage 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 the best results. You may experience mild to moderate pain during the procedure and some swelling and redness for a couple of days afterward. You can resume your normal social schedule within one to three days after treatment. Your doctor will discuss ways to ensure optimal healing and continued skin protection through 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. Most people experience some sunburn-like discomfort and redness for a few days afterward. However, depending on skin types and conditions, risks may include pain, scarring, burning sensations, itching, rashes, crusting, and the development of milia, small white bumps or cysts on the skin.
Related Blog Article:
Important Statistics to Help You Better Understand Acne
Our locations
We offer medical dermatology at four CSDERM locations:
Central Colorado Springs
170 Parkside Dr
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Phone: (719) 471-1763
North Colorado Springs
2060 Briargate Pkwy, Ste 150
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: (719) 471-1763
Pueblo
406 North Main St
Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: (719) 566-0176
Cañon City
1332 Bauer Ln
Cañon City, CO 81212
Phone: (719) 275-7485