Blog: Skin Care Advice and Treatment Options

Our Personal Approach to Botox Treatment

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:04:51 +0000

Our office has been treating patients with Botox since it was first approved by the FDA in 2002. As a result, we have performed thousands of Botox procedures and have extensive experience with Botox treatment. This has allowed us to develop a very personal approach to the use of this medication.

Our most important consideration with Botox treatment is that the result be natural. The goal is to achieve a relaxed and rejuvenated appearance. We want to achieve a more refreshed look by reducing lines and wrinkles.

In our office, Botox treatment is always individualized, and based upon what each person needs. It is not a “one size fits all” treatment. Botox treatment begins with a careful examination of the face, both at rest and with movement. Lines and wrinkles in the face are studied in order to understand how Botox would improve them. We think clearly about what areas should be treated, and equally importantly, about what areas should not be treated. Only after this planning is completed can the treatment be properly given.

The treatment consists of a series of injections of minute quantities of Botox into the skin. It is preferable to put smaller amounts of Botox into a larger number of injection sites because the final result is more natural looking. By relaxing the underlying facial muscles, lines and wrinkles in the face are reduced, giving a more relaxed and rejuvenated appearance.

We regularly treat Botox patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Brentwood, and Beverly Hills. We welcome all patients to our office who would like a more personalized and individualized approach to their Botox treatments.

Our Personal Approach to Juvederm Treatment

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:14:00 +0000

Juvederm is used to rejuvenate the skin of the face by softening lines, wrinkles, and folds. Juvederm is a dermal filler that contains hyaluronic acid gel as the filling agent. Our office has performed thousands of procedures with hyaluronic acid gel dermal fillers since the FDA first approved them in 2003. This has allowed us to develop a very personal approach to the use of Juvederm.

The most important consideration with a Juvederm treatment is that the result looks natural. It should not look like anything was “done” to the face. Rather, the face should simply look younger, refreshed, and rejuvenated after the treatment.

A Juvederm treatment begins with a complete examination of the face. Areas containing wrinkles, lines, and folds are examined. Areas where increased fullness would improve the facial appearance are determined. Equally important, areas where Juvederm should not be placed are also determined. Once this planning is completed, the Juvederm treatment can begin.

The treatment consists of a series of injections of small quantities of Juvederm into the skin. It is preferable to put smaller amounts of Juvederm into a larger number of injection sites because the final result is more natural looking. Injecting the underlying lines, wrinkles, and folds in the face with Juvederm gives a more relaxed and rejuvenated appearance, with the facial skin also looking more lifted.

In some offices, Juvederm injection is limited to treatment of the nasolabial folds, which are the facial folds that extend from the nostrils to the corners of the mouth. Limiting the Juvederm treatment to these folds will often result in a very unnatural look. For this reason, we do not take that approach. Rather, we believe that Juvederm should be placed anywhere in the face where its placement will give an enhanced and more rejuvenated appearance. This can only be determined by a careful examination of each patient’s face, both at rest and with movement, by an experienced injector with a sense of facial proportion and aesthetics.

We regularly treat Juvederm patients from Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Brentwood, and Beverly Hills. We welcome all patients to our office who would like a more personalized, individualized, and sophisticated approach to their Juvederm treatments.

Botox tips for the chin area

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:01:00 +0000

Here’s a Botox treatment that you may not be aware of. The injection of Botox into the chin area will allow the corners of the mouth to turn up, giving a more relaxed look to the lower part of the face.

As we age, the activity of a muscle called the depressor anguli oris acts to turn the corners of the mouth down. This results in an unhappy look on the face. A small amount of Botox can be used to relax this muscle and, as a result, allow the corners of the mouth to turn back up. This results in a more relaxed and attractive look.

Next time you are having a Botox treatment, ask your doctor if this treatment will improve your result!

George Anterasian, MD

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:05:33 +0000

Have you heard of the CoolSculpting procedure by Zeltiq? It is a great, non-invasive way of reducing fat. Ideal candidates for the CoolSculpting by Zeltiq procedure have discrete and localized fat bulges on the abdomen, love handles, inner thighs, and back. CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is especially helpful when the fat bulge cannot be reduced by diet and exercise. CoolSculpting treatments result in noticeable and natural looking fat reduction in the treated areas.

How Does it Work?

The procedure is done by placing the CoolSculpting applicator on the fat bulge for one hour. During this time, the applicator chills the fat. The exposure of the fat to cooling begins a process of natural fat cell removal.

There is no discomfort during the time the applicator is on the skin. In order to maintain symmetry, most patients will treat two areas of their body during the treatment session (one area on each side of the body). Patients may do whatever they wish during this time, including reading, working with their electronic devices, or listening to music.

Results

The CoolSculpting by Zeltiq procedure results in visible fat reduction and a lessening of fat bulges gradually over a two or three-month period following the procedure. The CoolSculpting procedure is extremely safe. There is minimal discomfort during the procedure, and absolutely no down time after the procedure. There may be mild tenderness after the treatment and a temporary reduction in sensation resulting from the chilling of the tissues. Most patients resume their normal activities, including returning to work and exercise regimens, on the same day as the procedure. Three months after the first procedure, the procedure may be repeated to further enhance the result.

Get Started

If you are interested in CoolSculpting by Zeltiq, call our offices today! We will be happy to discuss this procedure in greater detail specific to your individual needs.

What is Thermage?

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The Thermage CPT procedure is an FDA approved method for tightening skin and for smoothing wrinkles. This cosmetic procedure does not require invasive surgery, chemicals, needles, or lasers. Ideal candidates for Thermage CPT have mild to moderate facial laxity. The Thermage CPT procedure can also be used to treat patients who have areas of skin that are still loose after a surgical facelift.

The Thermage CPT procedure is very safe. We have been performing Thermage since 2003, and we have gained extensive experience with this treatment. In our office, Dr. Anterasian has performed over 800 Thermage procedures with consistently excellent results. We are very pleased with the results that we have achieved with Thermage, and our patients have truly enjoyed the cosmetic enhancement the procedure provides.

How Thermage Works

The treatment tip simultaneously heats and cools the skin. It emits radio frequency energy to heat the collagen in the deeper layers of the skin while simultaneously protecting the top layers of the skin with a cooling spray. With the upgraded Thermage CPT, the heating profile has been enhanced to provide very even and uniform heating of the tissues. It is this enhanced heating profile combined with the increase in the number of passes that is responsible for the improved effectiveness of Thermage CPT over earlier generations of Thermage.

The heating action causes the collagen in the deeper layers of the skin to tighten immediately. In addition, it stimulates new collagen production, which further enhances the result. This new collagen is laid down over the next several months. The final result is visible approximately four months after the procedure.

Results

The combined action of the immediate tightening of collagen and the production of new collagen results in a tighter skin and a more youthful appearance. Because improvement occurs at the fundamental level of collagen contraction and new collagen formation, the results are long lasting and should persist for years. The optimum result is generally achieved approximately four months following the procedure. At that time, if a patient wishes, the procedure can be repeated to further improve the result.

Here is a video of Carmen receiving the Thermage procedure:

Any man or woman who is interested in a non-surgical approach to facial skin tightening is invited to call our office and make an appointment with either Dr. Anterasian or Dr. Amerian.

What You Should Know About the Fraxel Laser

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:44:17 +0000

What is the Fraxel Laser?

The Fraxel Restore Laser assists in decreasing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, sun spots, age spots, and acne scarring, revealing a smoother, more youthful, and rejuvenated skin in approximately 30 minutes. After Fraxel Restore laser treatment, fine lines and wrinkles are improved, skin texture is much smoother, and skin crepiness is reduced. In addition, brown spots are lessened and the skin color becomes more even and uniform. Acne scars and any other scars are also improved. Optimum results are generally achieved by a series of 4 to 5 treatment sessions spaced three to four weeks apart.

How Does it Work?

The Fraxel Restore laser utilizes a new technology called Fractional Resurfacing. With Fractional Resurfacing Technology, only a fraction of the skin receives the laser light. The laser delivers a series of microscopic closely spaced laser spots to the skin while simultaneously preserving normal healthy skin between the laser spots. This preservation of healthy skin results in rapid healing following the laser treatment with no recovery downtime. Patients can return to work immediately after their treatment or the next day.

In this episode of TLC's Ten Years Younger, Dr. Mary Lee Amerian performed the Fraxel Laser procedure on Cindy:

The Fraxel Restore laser became available in April of 2004, and Dr. Amerian and Dr. Anterasian were among the first physicians in Los Angeles to obtain this laser and make it available to our patients. As a result, we have gained extensive experience with the Fraxel laser. In our office, Dr. Anterasian has performed over 1400 consecutive Fraxel laser procedures with excellent results. Our patients have truly enjoyed the smoother, more youthful, and rejuvenated skin that Fraxel laser treatments provide.

Skin Care and Cosmeceuticals

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:31:00 +0000

Q: I want to take very good care of my skin to keep my skin looking young and healthy. What types of skin care products would be best for me?

A: Everyone should have a good skin care regimen to treat, nourish, protect, and moisturize his or her skin. In recent years, skin care products have been significantly improved. Outstanding moisturizing, anti-aging, skin calming, and pigment reducing products are now available. Because these products contain ingredients that influence the physiological functioning of the skin, these products are referred to as cosmeceuticals.

There are many different types of ingredients used in cosmeceuticals today. Antioxidants remove the free radicals resulting from excessive sun exposure and other environmental factors that can cause injury to normal skin cells. Botanicals are plant extracts and they form the largest category of skin care ingredients in use today. An appropriate botanical can be chosen to reduce inflammation, sooth the skin, or act as an antioxidant. Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A that act as antioxidants, increase cellular turnover, stimulate a beneficial thickening of the epidermis, and promote the removal of excessive skin pigment. Alpha hydroxy acids increase cellular turnover and improve the color and texture of the skin; they have been shown to produce younger looking skin. Depigmenting agents are skin-lightening ingredients that remove excessive brown pigment from the skin. Peptides are protein fragments that can be used in cosmeceuticals to either increase the production of collagen or to reduce the breakdown of collagen; this is important because loss of collagen in the skin is one of the causes of wrinkles. Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors are substances that also block the breakdown of collagen.

The best cosmeceuticals combine many different types of ingredients in one product. Because there are literally thousands of skin care products in the marketplace from which to choose, it can be quite confusing as to which products would be best for a particular person. For this reason, it is best that each person have his or her skin care program designed by a skin care expert. These professionals are able to customize a skin care program by selecting from the large number of skin care products available those products that would be best for each individual person.

Wintertime Skin Care

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:30:00 +0000

Q: I have noticed that as we head into winter, my skin is feeling dryer. How should I take care of my skin during the winter months?

A: Winter is hard on skin because cold temperatures, harsh winds, and low humidity remove moisture from the skin and dry the skin out. These environmental factors impede the proper functioning of the skin's lipids (fats), which normally help to keep the skin hydrated. The following tips will help you keep your skin healthy and looking its best during the winter months.

First, don't overheat your home. Heating the air will reduce the humidity level in your home and lead to drier skin.
Try to limit washing the face to twice a day, as more frequent washing will tend to dry the face excessively.
Take shorter showers, no longer than ten minutes, using lukewarm water. This will help preserve the natural moisturizing lipids (fats) in the skin. If you prefer a bath, you may add soothing oils to the bath water to moisten and help hydrate the skin.
After your shower or bath gently pat the skin until almost dry, then apply a good facial moisturizer and body moisturizer. In general, the drier the skin, the thicker the moisturizer you should use. We generally advise our patients to apply their moisturizers twice a day, but women with very dry skin might want to apply their moisturizers more frequently.
Remember that dry winter air will make the skin more sensitive to many anti-aging products. For this reason, women who use Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid might have to reduce the frequency of application during the winter.
It is important to continue to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays, so use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on your face and exposed skin. In addition, use a lip balm with sun block on your lips throughout the winter.
Finally, make sure you eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Taking care of the skin during winter months often requires some changes in the normal skin care regimen. By taking these basic steps, you can keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful all winter long.

Flushing, the Red Face, and Rosacea

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:27:09 +0000

Q: I recently began having flushing on my face. What is causing this and what can I do about it?

A: Flushing is defined as a sensation of warmth accompanied by visible reddening of the skin. Flushing results from an increase in facial blood flow, which in turn is caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the face.

There is a long list of medical causes of flushing, but the most common causes are an emotional reaction, certain foods and beverages, alcohol, and rosacea. Emotional flushing is an easy diagnosis to make; it is characterized by flushing which occurs when an individual is emotionally upset or has a feeling of embarrassment. If certain foods, beverages, or alcohol cause flushing, their avoidance will usually cure the flushing.

Rosacea is another very common cause of flushing. Rosacea is characterized by symptoms of facial flushing and a collection of other clinical signs such as facial redness, broken capillaries (medically called telangiectasias), coarseness of the skin, and an inflammatory eruption that may be similar to acne. The most likely areas to be affected by rosacea are the nose and cheeks, but in more severe cases the entire face and neck can be affected. Eventually, the redness of the face becomes permanent.

Rosacea is most likely to start in fair skinned people in their thirties and forties. Although there are many theories, the cause of rosacea is still unknown. Genetic and environmental factors such as sun exposure probably play roles in the development of rosacea.

The treatment of rosacea begins with sun protection. Patients who have rosacea should carefully monitor their exposure to the sun and routinely use sunscreen. Antibiotics, taken either orally or applied topically to the affected areas, are also regularly used to treat rosacea. Topical azaleic acid may also be used, especially if antibiotics do not give sufficient improvement. The redness and broken capillaries associated with rosacea are best treated with either laser therapy or intense pulsed light. These treatments have no downtime and lead to amazing improvement in the skin of rosacea patients. The good news is that by combining several skin care modalities, an experienced skin care professional will be able to control nearly every case of rosacea.

Non-Surgical Eyelid Rejuvenation

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 03:56:00 +0000

Q:I have noticed that my eyelids are showing signs of increasing laxity. What can I do to tighten the skin of my eyelids without having eyelid surgery?

A: During the past four years, there have been dramatic and revolutionary advances in laser technology. By applying these new technologies to the eyelids, it has become possible to rejuvenate and tighten the eyelid skin in nearly all patients without surgery.

Patients who only have mild eyelid laxity are best treated with the eyelid Thermage procedure. Eyelid Thermage is a procedure that tightens the eyelid skin and deceases eyelid hooding and wrinkling. Only one treatment is needed and there is no downtime. Patients who have had eyelid Thermage report that their eyelid sagging is improved and both the upper and lower eyelids are tighter. The eyes look brighter and appear more open.

Eyelid Fraxel is intended for patients who have developed moderate laxity and crepiness of the skin of the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure tightens the skin more than Thermage, reduces skin crepiness, softens lines and wrinkles, and produces an overall skin rejuvenation effect. There are two ways of performing eyelid Fraxel.

The first method, known as traditional Fraxel laser resurfacing, is done as a series of four or five treatments given at monthly intervals. These treatments have no downtime. Alternatively, patients may consider the Eyelid Fraxel Repair procedure. Eyelid Fraxel Repair has the advantage of completing the eyelid rejuvenation in a single treatment. Patients who undergo Eyelid Fraxel Repair should be prepared for four to five days of healing following the procedure.

Eyelid Thermage, traditional eyelid Fraxel, and eyelid Fraxel Repair all work by stimulating new collagen production. This new collagen is living tissue, and for this reason, the improvement in the eyelids following these treatments should persist for years.

Regardless of which technology is used to treat the eyelids, the rejuvenation may be further enhanced with Botox and dermal fillers. By combining Thermage or either of the two Fraxel lasers with Botox and dermal fillers, our patients achieve very natural eyelid tightening and rejuvenation without undergoing surgery. We welcome all patients to our office who wish to rejuvenate the skin of their eyelids without surgery.

Non-Surgical Skin Tightening

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 03:56:00 +0000

Q: I have noticed that the skin on my face is showing signs of increasing laxity. What can I do to tighten the skin on my face without having a facelift?

A: Up until recently, the only option for tightening the facial skin was a surgical facelift. However, many patients were unwilling undergo the risks and recovery downtime associated with facelift surgery. For these reasons, new and innovative techniques have been developed in recent years that tighten the skin of the face without the need for surgery.

Thermage is a very good procedure for tightening the skin in patients who have relatively minor amounts of facial laxity. Thermage procedures have no downtime. Patients resume all of their normal activities, including work and exercise programs, immediately after leaving the office. The optimum result is obtained approximately four months after the Thermage procedure. Thermage can be used to tighten the skin of the face, eyelids, and neck.

When patients have greater degrees of laxity, Thermage should be combined with a dermal filler such as Juvederm or Restylane. The dermal filler provides additional lifting of the cheeks and softening of the folds on the face. The use of Thermage and dermal filler together will give a completely natural appearing facial rejuvenation.

For patients who wish to achieve greater non-surgical skin tightening, we recommend the Fraxel Repair laser. The Fraxel Repair laser is without doubt our most effective non-surgical tissue tightener. Fraxel Repair treatment results in visible skin tightening and significant improvement in wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation in the treated areas. The skin heals with an improved texture. The result is smoother, tighter, and younger looking skin. Usually, only a single treatment is needed. However, some patients may wish to undergo a second procedure to further enhance their results. Fraxel Repair treatment does have some downtime. A full-face treatment generally has approximately five days of downtime.

Today™s options for non-surgical skin tightening are truly excellent and result in completely natural appearing facial rejuvenation! We welcome all patients to our office who would like to tighten their facial skin without surgery and achieve completely natural appearing facial rejuvenation.

Non-Surgical Body Contouring and Fat Reduction

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:55:00 +0000

Q: I have fat bulges on my tummy, sides of my waist, inner thighs, and back that will not go away with diet and exercise. What are my options for removing the fat bulges?

A: Up until recently, the only available options for reducing body fat to improve the contour and shape of the body were liposuction and other invasive and aggressive surgical techniques. For those individuals willing to undergo an invasive procedure, liposuction remains a good option to remove fat bulges. However, medical science has now developed techniques to reduce fat and improve the contour and shape of the body using non-invasive non-surgical methods. These techniques have the advantages of being extremely safe and having no recovery downtime.

The Zeltiq Procedure is a new non-surgical method of reducing fat to improve body contour and shape. The Zeltiq Procedure reduces fat by cooling it. Ideal candidates for the procedure have discrete and localized fat bulges on the abdomen, love handles, inner thighs, and back. Zeltiq is especially helpful when the fat bulge cannot be reduced by diet and exercise. Zeltiq treatments result in noticeable and natural looking fat reduction in the treated areas. There is absolutely no down time after the procedure, and most patients resume all of their normal activities, including returning to work and exercise regimens, on the same day as the procedure.

The procedure is done by applying the Zeltiq applicator to the fat bulge for one hour. During this time, the applicator chills the fat. The exposure of fat cells to cooling begins a process of natural fat cell removal. Patients remain very comfortable during the time the applicator is on the skin and may do whatever they wish during this period, including reading, working with their electronic devices, or listening to music. The visible reduction in fat will appear gradually over the next two to three months following the procedure.

The Zeltiq Procedure represents a new and very exciting way of accomplishing fat reduction in a completely non-invasive manner! Because of its safety, consistent results, and easy recovery, we expect Zeltiq to become a very popular method of reducing fat. Anyone desiring removal of fat bulges to improve the contour and shape of their body should give consideration to this new method of non-surgical fat removal.

Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation - Botox Revisited

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:55:00 +0000

Q: What can I do to give my face a more youthful look without undergoing surgery?

A: Many people today are concerned about the cosmetic appearance of the vertical lines between their eyebrows. These lines result from repeated contraction of the muscles in this area. When the muscles between the eyebrows contract, they draw the eyebrows together, causing the skin to furrow, fold, and wrinkle. Botox improves these lines by blocking the contraction of these muscles and relaxing them. As a result, the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows are much improved.

The discovery that Botox improved the cosmetic appearance of the vertical frown lines led to the FDA approving the use of Botox for cosmetic purposes in 2002. Since then, Botox has been found to be effective for many other cosmetic indications. For example, virtually everyone is also familiar with the ability of Botox to reduce horizontal forehead lines and the crow's feet lines around the eyes. In addition, when properly placed, Botox can be used to elevate the eyebrows to give a brow lift, soften the vertical lines in the upper and lower lip (called smoker™s lines), turn up the corners of the mouth, relax the bands and wrinkles in the neck, and soften lines and wrinkles around the nose and chin.

Botox is administered with an ultra-fine needle into the treated areas. Discomfort is minimal and no anesthesia is required, although patients may have numbing cream if they wish. What is most important is to not overdo the treatment in order to retain a relaxed look with natural facial movements. Patients return to their normal activities immediately after leaving the office.

Botox is extremely safe when used in the very tiny doses that are required for cosmetic procedures. Due to its safety and consistently excellent results, Botox has become one of the main pillars of non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Over two million Botox treatments are given each year in the United States. Treatment with Botox has become the single most popular cosmetic procedure in this country and around the world.

We welcome all patients to our office who would like to have a more youthful appearance without undergoing surgery. Botox, when used at the proper doses and in the correct locations, plays an important role in accomplishing this goal.

Dermal Fillers

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:54:00 +0000

Q: What can I do to give my face a more youthful look without undergoing surgery?

More and more patients are turning to physicians to help them achieve a more youthful appearance. One of the cornerstones of modern facial rejuvenation is the use of dermal fillers. With the correct dermal filling agent, folds can be softened, lines and wrinkles made much less noticeable, and the face sculpted to give a much more youthful appearance.

All human beings have in their skin a naturally hydrating substance called hyaluronic acid. As we age, hyaluronic acid is lost from the skin. This results in facial wrinkles and deepening folds, and contributes to the jowly look that appears on the face with the natural aging process.

Dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid replace the hyaluronic acid that the skin has lost. Two commonly used dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid are Juvederm and Restylane. These dermal fillers are injected under the skin in a short office procedure that has no downtime. The procedure has become much more comfortable recently by formulating the hyaluronic acid gel with lidocaine, a commonly used anesthetic. These dermal fillers provide completely natural looking facial rejuvenation in an extremely safe manner. Wrinkles and folds are softened, the skin is smoothed, the lost volume is restored, and the cheeks are elevated. The results generally last for eight to twelve months.

In addition to the loss of hyaluronic acid, the skin also loses collagen during the aging process. Therefore dermal fillers that contain collagen can also be used for facial rejuvenation. Cosmoderm is a commonly used collagen-based dermal filler. Cosmoderm is unique in that it is the dermal filler that can be safely placed closest to the skin surface. For that reason, it is often used to soften the fine etched-in lines in the skin. Cosmoderm is often used in combination with dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid.

Many other types of dermal fillers are also available, such as Sculptra and Radiesse. What is most important is to select the correct dermal filler based on each patient™s unique facial appearance.

We welcome all patients to our office who would like to achieve a more youthful facial appearance in an extremely safe and non-surgical manner. Dermal fillers, when properly used, play a major role in accomplishing this.

Acne

nospam@example.com (Marylee Amerian) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:54:00 +0000

Q: I am having on-going active acne breakouts. What can I do to better control my acne?

A: In our office, we take a multifaceted approach to the treatment of acne. Our approach is designed to bring existing active acne under control, prevent future flare-ups of acne, treat acne scars, and leave our patients with healthy glowing skin. Depending on each patient™s unique needs, these four goals are accomplished by using a combination of medications, lights, lasers, facials, and peels. These treatments work best when they are used in combination. Treatment plans are always customized and are developed based on what each individual patient needs to most effectively treat their particular case of acne. Severe acne is treated more aggressively than mild acne.

Potential treatments for acne include topical medications which are applied to the skin, mild lasers and lights, photodynamic acne treatment, skin peels, facials, and occasionally oral medications.

Various lights and lasers are effective for acne. Blue light treats acne by reducing the number of bacteria living within the sebaceous glands. Red light enhances the blue light treatment by minimizing the redness and inflammation associated with active acne. Treatment with the Vbeam Perfecta laser reduces both active acne and the redness associated with acne. At times, we will combine either the blue light or Vbeam Perfecta laser with levulan. This procedure, which is called photodynamic acne treatment, treats active acne more intensely. Photodynamic acne treatment is indicated when more conservative treatments have not worked.

We also use facials and light skin peels as a component of our acne care programs. An acne facial will clean the pores and lighten dark blemishes. An acne skin peel will help clear acne blemishes, lighten the brown spots that can result from acne, smooth the skin, and brighten the skin. Acne facials and peels are part of an excellent acne care program and they help us give our patients healthy glowing skin!

Today, dermatologists have many options available to treat acne. No one should have to suffer from uncontrolled acne. We welcome all patients to our office who wish to have their acne better controlled.