A Blog published by the Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii

Acne treatments: From creams to lasers

  

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In our last blog about acne, we talked about the fact that a multi-faceted approach is almost always the best way to treat acne. We use the latest technology to diagnose your acne so that we know the deep underlying causes. This allows us to create a treatment plan specifically for your skin that gives you the safest way of treating your acne and the best chance for clear skin.

Your treatment plan may include any of the following:

Topical Medications. The first defense against acne always involves a home care plan with prescription-strength topical medications. These include:

• Clay and sulfur masques to reduce redness and reduce oiliness of the skin.
• Topical exfoliants, such as alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, and citric acids), which open the clogged pores.
• Benzoyl peroxide, which loosens the material that is plugging the pores and kills the bacteria. We use the CLENZIderm M.D. System, which includes a wash, a toner, and a prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide formula from Obagi Medical Products. This is the only liquefied form of benzoyl peroxide, which allows it to penetrate deeper into your pores where the bacteria resides.
• Retin-A may also be prescribed in some cases.
• An antibiotic cream is often also prescribed to further kill the bacteria.
• For patients with darker skin, we recommend using hydroquinone or other skin lighteners to remove the blemishes that remain after the active pimple is healed.
• Oral Medications. Antibiotic pills to kill the bacteria in the blood stream may be prescribed if creams fail to work well or if there is widespread acne on the back and other parts of the body. For more severe cases, medications called spironolactone (for adults) and isotretinoin may be recommended. All of these medications require a prescription and must be given under a qualified doctor's supervision.

In-Office Treatments. There are a number of treatments in the office that are highly effective in combating acne:

• Chemical Peels. In addition to the home care medications and in-home exfoliants, we generally prescribe a series of six exfoliant chemical peels in our offices – usually 3-4 weeks apart. Beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) peels are especially effective because salicylic acid dissolves the oil that clogs pores and loosens the dead skin cells.
• Dermasound (ultrasonic microdermabrasion) exfoliation may be prescribed in addition to salicylic acid peels.
• Cryotherapy is another type of chemical peel used for severe cases of acne. It uses extremely cold temperatures to decrease inflammation and kill bacteria, and it only takes five minutes in our office.
• Blu-U Light specifically kills the bacteria that cause acne, and we prescribe this procedure in a large number of cases, usually in a series of five treatments.
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) shrinks inflammation and is often an alternative to accutane, a medication with negative side effects.

• A multi-faced treatment plan is recommended in most cases of acne.
• Your treatment plan begins with in-home strategies that might include masques, exfoliants, and creams.
• Oral medications may also be prescribed.
• In-office treatments are also usually recommended, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, Blu-U light, and photodynamic therapy.

At Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii, we have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating acne in a multi-faceted way. Contact us today for an acne consultation and begin your journey toward clearer skin.