Treatment of Acne

Acne a is widespread and socially frustrating condition involving the face, chest, and back.

Acne can't be prevented or cured, but it can be managed effectively.
While most teens outgrow acne, some patients will have acne well into adulthood.
Our main objective at IVSI is to treat acne in early stages to prevent permanent scarring.

Combination therapy is essential in management of acne

The goal of acne therapy is to get rid of existing lesions and to prevent the formation of scars.

For patient with papular acne without prior pharmacologic management, trial of mainstream topical therapy is offered as first line of treatment
Pustular acne or in combination with papular, usually requires more aggressive approach with topical and systemic options
Patients with severely inflamed or widespread, painful acne along with nodular, cystic acne, should definitely consider more aggressive approach and iPlege program.
For those not in favor of oral medications we are able offer other options besides mainstream treatments. Modalities like I&D of acne, Photodynamic therapy (PDT), PDL laser, BLU-U lights and are often used as an alternative or addition to pharmacologic treatment invilving face

Bacterial skin infection may manifest as a condition similar to acne and in some cases need to be excluded

Alternative Options of Acne Treatmen:

CO2 Laser Assisted Incision & Drainage of Cystic Acne – by opening comedones with a laser, we are able to drain pus from the cystic lesion, and destroy cyst wall structures. We have found that laser assisted I&D prevents recurrent inflammation and scar formation very effectively for most people, and also improves the outcome of pharmacologic treatment. I&D of severe cystic acne is the only acne procedure covered by insurance.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a powerful skin therapy that utilizes light treatments along with an application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA)in order to reduce acne. The aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is applied to the patient's skin and left to incubate for 4-8 hours. Next, the treated skin is exposed to either PDL, or IPL followed by additional exposure to BLU-U Blue Light to activate the ALA
PDT is often used for moderate to severe acne that don't respond well to traditional topical treatments. PDT is an alternative treatment for patients who are not ready to commit to the iPlegde program.
PDT is not for all skin types. Down time after treatment might last 3-14 days, with a burning sensation, redness, and skin peeling as typical side effects. The intensity and duration of the side effects is dependent on the ALA's incubation period, which will vary with the severity of the acne.

Males are less likely to seek early medical treatment and as a result tend to have more severe disease than females

Acne reduction with Cynosure Cynergy PDL Laser is our signature treatment for acne and post-acne scar reduction. With PDL laser we are able to reduce the inflammation and redness from acne scarring as well as the size and number of comedones. Treatments can be performed on all skin types and over hair-bearing areas without fear of follicular destruction. Post-treatment bruising may occur with higher levels of laser output. From our experience, 1-3 treatments might be needed depending on the severity of your condition. If maintenance treatments are needed, they should be done every 4-6 months. PDL treatment will not prevent the formation of new acne or destroy cystic lesions. It is often used in combination for pharmacologic treatments.

Females over age 25 tend to have chronic long-term low-grade acne, often reluctant to treatment

BLU-U Blue Light Therapy - narrow-band blue visible light BLU-U treatments can be offered as alternative to pharmaceuticals and topical therapy, or an adjunct to skin care programs. Due to patient's time restrictions and the fact that 3 weekly sessions are needed for over a period of 5-6 weeks, lasers are a more popular option.

Each patient is different and might require different combinations of modalities. Some "acne" patients visiting our clinic for the first time enter unaware that they have bacterial skin infections, polymorphic light eruptions or even skin allergies while acne isn't even on their diagnosis list.

Do not delay. Seek medical help and do not wait for your condition to reach advanced stages.
Call: (847) 518-9999

Disclaimer: Every patient is unique; therefore cosmetic results can vary between patients. No two laser treatments will get same results – even if performed by same physician on patients with similar conditions.