By Nasrin Mani, M.D.
If you are one of the millions of people in the United States that suffer from acne, odds are good that you’ve already tried several methods of treating it at home. Unfortunately, if you have anything beyond a mild acne case, home treatment may have little to no effect.
Dermatologists classify acne cases on four levels:
- Mild (Stage I) – non-inflammatory, involving whiteheads, blackheads, and the occasional small pimple on the face
- Moderate (Stage II) – infection is more severe; blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples are always present; redness and swelling are evident
- Advanced(Stage III) – symptoms have become chronic, leading to tissue damage and long-term scarring
- Severe(Stage IV) – irritated, infected skin is widespread on the face, back, neck, chest, shoulders, and other parts of the body; boils, cysts, and nodules form a network under the skin
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, Dr. Nasrin Mani will approach your acne treatment in different ways. For example, moderate acne cases can be effectively treated using the Isolaz™ Acne Laser, which is used to clear your clogged pores and kill any bacteria present. BLU-U® blue light acne therapy is another proven tool for reducing both surface and mid-level acne bacteria.
More advanced acne cases will require a combination of laser and light therapy with photo-sensitizing topical medications such as Levulan®. This treatment process is called PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT). Because lasers can eliminate the infection caused by acne without damaging the surface layer of your skin, they one of the safest and most effective methods of acne treatment, allowing for targeted therapy and improved healing.
If you suffer from acne that is more than just the occasional pimple, a proper medical evaluation of your acne level is the first step toward finding relief. Request a call from one of our Info Specialists today to discover how La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic can help you recover from acne and scarring.
