5 Cosmetic Skin Treatments That Reduce Acne

“I absolutely love having acne,” said no one ever. Acne is a true pain both cosmetically and sometimes physically, and people put up with it every day. But do you have to? Must we waste countless dollars on products that just don’t work? The simple answer is no, no we do not; and we’re going to show you why and how. Here are the top five cosmetic skin treatments that will reduce your acne:

1) Chemical Peels

Using chemical peels is an acne-reducing tactic that many people live by. Usually composed of retinoids, lactic acid, salicylic acid and carbolic acid, the chemical peel solution is applied to the face causing the skin to blister and eventually peel away. Once the skin peels, it reveals a new and untouched layer of skin. The idea of your skin blistering and falling off is far worse than it sounds. Chemical peels only affect the top layer of skin. Therefore it cannot penetrate deep enough to cause real pain. There are some side effects however like slight burning, redness, and irritation of the skin, but these usually fade in less than a week.

2) Medicated Creams

We’re not talking about your typical store-bought creams with watered-down solutions that take months to work. No, we are referring to medicated creams that require a prescription from your doctor. These prescription-strength creams contain retinoids like tretinoin and tazarotene to keep pores from plugging up, antibiotics to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, and acids like salicylic and azelaic to improve the skin. Results can usually be seen in 4 to 8 weeks.

3) Light Therapy

You’ve probably seen those images online of women wearing those funny-looking masks that emit blue or red light. Well, those funny-looking masks have changed the game in fighting acne. It’s called light therapy and it has proven to be extremely effective in reducing acne and clearing away acne scars. While the masks are an at-home version of it, light therapy is a procedure in which a targeted beam of light emits a particular wavelength that penetrates deep into your skin. These wavelengths interact with the bacteria that cause acne and obliterates them. The light also interacts with cells responsible for pigmentation and reverses discoloration and old scars. This is said to be one of the most effective treatments available.

4) Steroid Injections

This option is a little less popular as not too many people are keen on the idea of having facial injections, yet steroid injections are a suitable treatment option for pesky lumps and cysts that develop below the skin’s surface. The steroidal medication causes the lumps to flatten and eventually disappear over the course of a few days. Unfortunately the side effects of steroid injections are quite common and can include the visibility of blood vessels, thinning of the skin, and changes in skin tone. Due to these side effects, this treatment is not considered a long-term solution, but rather a quick fix.

5) Surgery

Sometimes, even these previously listed cosmetic treatments aren’t enough. In such cases, individuals may opt for surgical removal of bumps. This typically only occurs in extreme cases in which the acne bumps are large and painful. In this procedure, dermatologists drain the cysts and, using a scalpel, cut away the remaining skin. Surgical removal of acne is most definitely the last resort and should only be considered if other treatments fail to present results.

If you are suffering from acne and are in Cincinnati, Ohio or a surrounding city, our experts at The Dermatology Group can provide advice, resources and possible treatment options to help reduce your acne. Give us a call today and book your consultation!