Acne – Washington, D.C.

Acne affects nearly 80 percent of the population in some form. There are several acne treatments available, including topical and oral medications, as well as in-office chemical peel and laser/light treatments.

If you are tired of your acne and want to seek treatment that can reduce or eliminate its appearance, please schedule an acne treatment consultation at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery today.

What is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory condition of the sebaceous (or oily) glands of the skin that lead to the production of pimples. Acne most commonly affects the face, neck, chest, shoulders, and upper back which have a high concentration of sebaceous follicles. Blackheads and whiteheads (technically known as open and closed comedones, respectively) develop when the follicles become clogged and inflamed. When pimples become badly inflamed, they can become painful cysts. These cysts are located deep in the skin and can lead to acne scarring.

Acne Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

There have been many myths about the cause of acne. Acne has been attributed to poor hygiene and diet, but heredity and hormones play the largest roles in the development of acne since they directly affect sebaceous glands.

Laser and light treatments are the most advanced technology for the treatment of acne. One of the latest treatments (Isolaz) delivers heat (in the form of intense pulsed light) to the dermis to target the overactive sebaceous glands while concomitant vacuum-suction is used to remove debris clogged deep within the pores. Although marked reduction in acne lesions is observed within a couple of treatments, a series of 4 to 6 treatments delivered at 2-4 week intervals are usually necessary to achieve the desired clinical clearance. Prolonged clearance is typical, with marked reduction of acne lesions.

If you are seeking advanced acne treatment, please schedule a consultation at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. today.