Acne
While many people think of acne as a teenage rite of passage, it can be a stubborn and distressing problem for men and women of any age. Acne is one of the most common conditions that we see. There are numerous topical and oral medications that can help clear up acne. With the wide spectrum of treatments available, our goal is to find the least aggressive treatment that will provide effective acne control to prevent permanent scarring.
| Treatment Type | Risks | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Topical Creams and Gels/ Topical Antibiotics | Very few risks other than skin sensitivity. Generally, safe for long term use. |
Very low risk. Effective for mild to moderate acne. |
| Oral Antibiotics | Some sensitivity and tolerability issues. A few rare side effects possible depending on the antibiotic prescribed. |
Effective for Moderate to Severe Acne. Good acne lesion control. |
| Accutane® | Required use of birth control in females (serious birth defects to fetus possible if mother is taking medication). Monthly monitoring of lipids (all patients) and urine pregnancy tests (in females). Possible low risk potential for depression and mood disorder. |
Excellent acne control in moderate to severe acne. Effective for cystic acne. Prolonged clearing of acne after typical 5 month treatment course. |
| Spironolactone | Avoid pregnancy while on it. Can lower blood pressure. | Very effective for females with "hormonal acne." |
In addition, we are pleased to offer the following aesthetic treatment options which can help to clear acne-prone skin.
| Adjuvant Treatment** | Benefit | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Microdermabrasion | Aggressive exfoliation of plugged pores and acne lesions. Smoothing of skin texture. |
Virtually none. Some patient's experience a slight redness immediately after treatment. |
| Chemical Peels (Jessners, glycolic, salicylic, Vitalize Peel® and Obagi Blue Peel®) | Chemical exfoliation of plugged pores and acne lesions. Evens skin texture and tone. |
Mild irritation Mild skin flaking and peeling after treatment. |
| Photodynamic Therapy (topical ALA followed by pulsed dye laser and blue light treatment) | Kills the p. acnes bacteria present in most acne lesions. Reduction of acne lesions and shrinkage of oil glands. |
Sun sensitivity for 24-48 hours after treatment. |
| Obagi Clenziderm M.D.™ Products for acne-prone skin Free Product Consultations!! |
Elegant product application backed with extensive scientific research. Separate kits for sensitive or oily skin. |
Potential for irritation or sensitivity. |
** Unfortunately these acne treatments are considered cosmetic in nature and are not covered by medical insurance.
