BOOK APPOINTMENTOne of the most common things we treat is ACNE.
Acne can hit teens and adults alike. No need to feel embarrassed, there is a lot of hope that we can clear it up. Walk in today!
Topicals
Oral medication to be taken by mouth
Acne can hit teens and adults alike. No need to feel embarrassed, there is a lot of hope that we can clear it up. Walk in today!Acne is a skin condition which has plugged pores, inflamed pimples, and deeper lumps and cysts. Although most teenagers get some form of acne, adults can also develop acne. To avoid permanent scarring, treating acne is important.
Treatment:
Control of acne is an ongoing process over at least two to three months, depending on your type of acne. We may prescribe medication for you, or suggest treatments that will help clear your skin as quickly as possible.The medicines and treatments we have available are listed here:
Topicals• we may prescribe topical creams, gels, or lotions with vitamin A acid-like drugs, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics to help unblock the pores and reduce bacteria. These products may cause some drying and peeling.
• Microdermabrasion may be used to remove the upper layers of the skin improving irregularities in the surface, contour, and generating new skin.
• Light chemical peels with glycolic acid help to unblock the pores, open the blackheads and whiteheads, and stimulate new skin growth.
• Injections of corticosteroids may be used for treating large red bumps, painful cysts or pimples. This may help them go away quickly.
• Laser treatments such as IPL and Medlite Q-switch NdYag are available.
• Photodynamic therapy using the blue wavelength of light can be helpful in treating acne as well. The Blu-U light treatment is available on Guam. Come twice a week for a 16 minute treatment, approximately 12 times. We can intensify the effect of the treatment by using a topical medication first. It will take about 30 minutes to take effect, prior to applying the blue light.
Oral medication to be taken by mouth• Antibiotics taken by mouth such as tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, or erythromycin are often prescribed.
• Birth control pills may significantly improve acne, and may be used specifically for the treatment of acne.
• In cases of unresponsive or severe acne, isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used. Pregnancy must be prevented while taking the medication, since the drug causes birth defects.
• Acne special (consult and treatment)
• Follow up monthly visits
• Pimple injection
• Acne scar consultation
• Scar treatment - Acne scars are textural abnormalities of the skin that are left behind after pimples heal. These range from shallow depressions, to sharp "ice pick" pits, to elevated bumps. Pimples can also heal leaving brown or red discoloration behind, but these generally fade over time without treatment and are not considered true scars.
A topical bleaching cream can be used to speed up the fading of the brown discoloration. It is important to wear sunscreen whenever going outside to keep the scars from turning darker.
What are the treatment options for acne scars?
Mild scars can also be improved with microdermabrasion. This technique uses vacuum and a diamond-tipped hand piece to buff the superficial skin.
Soft depressed scars can be filled in with filler material such as Restylane.
We also offer Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and Nd:Yag Laser treatment, which are helpful in skin rejuvenation and improvement of acne scars.
How many treatments are necessary?
Microdermabrasion requires multiple treatments, initially at two- to three-week intervals. IPL requires 4-5 treatments, about 3 weeks apart.
How long will it take to heal?
Recovery time is minimal; most people can get right back to work after a treatment session.
What if my scars are deep?
One of the most powerful treatments for deep acne scars is medical needling. After numbing your skin, we gently move a roller full of tiny needles across your skin. This breaks up the scars and allows for new healing as much smoother skin. Effects are seen within a few weeks and the procedure is usually repeated every 6-8 weeks until you are satisfied.
Cost is $300 per session. Downtime is one day.
