3 steps to preventing and treating a painful and stubborn complication of breakouts: acne scars

No other skin condition is more common than acne. It’s estimated that around 85% of 12- to 24-year-olds will be affected by acne, and older adults—particularly women—are increasingly experiencing it. Since hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy and menopause can be to blame, women may find themselves experiencing new or worsening acne for the first time later in life. In addition to seeking help with a condition they thought was long behind them, women in Columbia and the Baltimore, Maryland area may seek acne scar treatment from Dr. Ife Rodney and our team at Eternal Dermatology & Aesthetic Center. Let’s look at three ways we eliminate these painful reminders of past breakouts.

1 – Prevention is the first step

Avoiding acne scars in the first place is the simplest way of treatment! We accomplish this by getting the severity and frequency of your breakouts under control. You benefit from Dr. Rodney’s considerable expertise as a board-certified dermatologist who cares for the needs of a diverse range of patients, including those with melanin-rich skin. She understands each patient’s unique characteristics and customizes treatment to maximize results (clearance) while minimizing the risk of side effects. Options include:

• Topical prescription medications applied to the skin
• Oral prescription medications (pills or tablets)
• Injections into the skin
• Chemical peels
• Microneedling
• RF (radiofrequency) microneedling
• Laser therapy (with the LaseMD system)
• Sebacia acne treatment, which combines laser energy and gold microparticles to target and shrink oil glands

2 – Total Acne Transformation

Any scar forms as a result of an injury or trauma to the skin. These anomalous areas arise as the body attempts to heal itself. The characteristics of your scar depend on the healing process; if too little collagen develops as the skin heals, you generally end up with depressed or sunken scars. If too much collagen is produced as you heal, the scars are typically raised. As with acne, the specific treatment that is recommended depends on factors such as the type of scar we need to treat. The 6-month “Total Acne Transformation” program targets both active acne and scarring. We use a combo of laser therapy (the Laser Genesis® and LaseMD), red light therapy, and chemical peels. We may adjust prescriptions and perform injections for acne cysts during monthly visits as needed. We also provide you with a skincare “goodie bag” featuring some of the best products to enhance results.

3 – Acne Scar Revolution

Designed exclusively for scars, this intensive 4-month plan revolutionizes how we treat stubborn discoloration and deep, narrow, and sharply indented acne scars (ice-pick scars). This powerful approach blends microneedling and RF microneedling with light-based therapy (Laser Genesis® and red light therapy. Following an examination of your skin, Dr. Rodney may determine that you can benefit from other treatments, too. The specific combination depends on factors unique to your skin and scarring. Additional therapies include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which uses your body’s own blood to encourage new, healthy skin, and subcision – a procedure that uses a small needle to release depressed acne scars from underlying tissue. In doing so, subcision allows the treated area to rise, effectively evening out the surface and texture of the skin.

At Eternal Dermatology & Aesthetic Center, options to prevent and treat acne scars are as diverse as the patients we treat! Our myriad options, vast perspectives, and knowledge support treatment that finally allows you to put acne in all its forms behind you. So, you can start moving forward beyond painful memories with healthy skin that supports your utmost confidence. Call (301) 479-6544 to take the first step by scheduling a consultation at our Baltimore, MD area office in Columbia today.

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