Acne
Laser Acne Treatment Sydney
Did you know acne can be treated with laser or light treatment? See how the qualified nurses at Glow Medispa can help.
Acne Types
It has been a known problem in the dermatology industry that nearly 85 percent of Australians have experienced acne in their life, and another 5 percent experience a severe case. Acne, or acne vulgaris, is commonly referred to as pimples or zits. However, there are many types of acne that we see on a day-to-day basis.
- Whiteheads – Whiteheads are closed, blocked hair follicles beneath the surface of the skin. They are not open to the outer layer of the skin, and if picked, it can damage and potentially scar your skin! The most suitable treatments available include a maintained skincare routine that includes active ingredients, skin peels, topical ointments, light treatments, and sometimes antibiotics. What treatment you undergo for whiteheads will depend on the severity of the condition.
- Blackheads – Blackheads are blocked pores open to the surface, where the trapped material darkens on contact with air. They are not caused by dirt. Picking and squeezing, or removing them the wrong way, poses the risk of damaging your skin or potentially scarring the area permanently. Treatments suitable for blackhead removal include a good skincare regime using active ingredients, skin peels and light treatments.
- Moderate Acne – Pimples multiplying or accumulating in one area could mean the underlying bacteria is spreading. Treatments for this form of acne include good skincare with active ingredients, combined with a prescribed topical ointment or antibiotics. This treatment will go on for a short period, or at least until the bacteria is gone. Some patients also undergo a series of light treatments and skin peels to help provide optimal clearance.
- Severe Acne – Severe acne involves deeper, inflamed nodules and cysts, and is a distinct condition rather than simply more pimples. Treatments for severe acne include both prescription and non-prescription options, light treatments, oral antibiotics, and a kept-up skincare regime.
Request a consultation today with our experienced team with extensive specialist training, who will advise you regarding the suitability of each treatment plan.
Acne Scarring
With age, acne scarring can become more visible as the skin loses its collagen. Some patients with deep acne scars may require filler to restore the lost volume in the skin. Acne scar treatments are most commonly followed by laser treatments.
We advise patients to see a specialised dermatologist, such as the ones at Quayside Specialists for the best end results. This gives our dermatologists the opportunity to examine the patients’ skin and establish a treatment plan customised to your acne scarring severity.
Our dermatologists find it is often not acne scarring alone that is the concern and there is usually a different underlying skin condition to address. This is why it is important to see a specialist dermatologist, especially if you are unsure of exactly what treatment you require for your specific condition.
Types of Acne Scars
Acne scar treatment is often multimodal, and it is often best to have more than one treatment option available. The type of treatment you undergo will depend on the scarring and the severity of the effects on your skin. Atrophic scars appear as divots in the skin and require a procedure to release the contracted areas and restore volume. Types of atrophic scars and what they look like include:
- Ice Pick Scars – Ice pick scars are deep, slim, indented scars. They are most typically deeper than they are wide. They are very common and often described as if the skin has been prodded with a toothpick.
- Boxcar Scars – Boxcar scars are wider than they are deep (dissimilar to ice pick scars) with sharply defined edges.
- Rolling Scars – Rolling scars are broad depressions in the skin. Hence the name, they have sloping edges that appear ‘rolling’.
- Mixed Scars – Some patients have a combination of acne scarring, which can require a fully customised treatment plan to help alleviate the visibility of scarring.
Our dermatologists at Quayside Specialists, Sydney CBD, offer several forms of treatment for acne scarring, some of which include skin peels, laser treatments, and dermal injectables (fillers).
Acne Scar Causes
When you have an acne breakout, the inflamed area penetrates the skin deeply and causes damage to the underlying skin and tissue. As the acne clears, the body will try to repair it.
During this healing process, the body will produce collagen. However, depending on how your body responds to the healing process and how much collagen is produced, will depend on the outcome, the type of scar that will form depends on how much collagen your body makes.
Acne Scar Treatments
Whether you have minor acne scarring, or deep acne scarring, our dermatologist and the team of qualified nurses offer several treatments for different types of acne scarring. These can include:
- Chemical Peels – Chemical peels can help reduce visible signs of skin blemishes, fine lines and alleviate uneven skin pigmentation. Results can help patients get their rejuvenated, smoother, youthful skin back.
- Dermal Fillers – If the skin surrounding the acne scar is raised (the scar is sunken), using dermal filler can relax the surrounding skin, which may improve the appearance of acne scarring.
- Skin Care Regime – Our dermatologists may prescribe you various medicated creams, those containing azelaic acid or hydroxy acids, for example.
- Skin needling – Skin needling, also known as collagen induction therapy, aims to stimulate your skin’s production of new collagen by repeatedly puncturing the skin using sterile, minuscule needles.
- Ablative Laser Treatment – Laser treatment is typically used on scars that were once treated with skin needling, or another previous treatment, for instance.
- Fractionated Erbium Laser (Profractional) – an anti-ageing treatment that refreshes and rejuvenates your appearance. Fractional laser resurfacing produces significant improvement of acne scars, reverses sun damage, successfully removes superficial wrinkles, increases skin thickness, and improves skin tone and texture.
There are ablate procedures like lasers which can help resurface and there are other modalities such as radiofrequency that can also help. It’s often a combination of several modalities that will improve the appearance of acne scarring.
Laser Acne Treatment Sydney CBD
When you come in to see the dermatologists at Quayside Specialists, Sydney CBD, our team will ensure you feel self-assured about your decision and are fully informed on all the options suitable for your skin needs.
Contact us today to book a consultation or make an enquiry.
ALL SURGICAL PROCEDURES CARRY RISKS. BEFORE PROCEEDING, YOU SHOULD SEEK A SECOND OPINION FROM AN APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED HEALTH PRACTITIONER.
ALL SPECIALISTS ARE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.
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Sydney NSW 2000