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Acne has several causes. It may result from hormonal fluctuations in the body, high levels of stress, and the buildup of excess oils and dead skin cells that eventually clog pores. Acne also appears when certain types of bacteria found on the skin lead to infection. Oil-prone skin types are more susceptible to the occasional acne breakout if the skin isn’t kept clean. 

 

 

 

What is Acne? What are the treatments for Acne?

 

   Our practice offers a variety of acne treatments and can help prescribe the solution that balances with your skin type. We offer acne laser and light treatments, a new-age, non-invasive acne treatment that kills acne-causing bacteria under the surface of the skin using safe UVB and other light spectrums. Our skin care nurse practitioners can also prescribe a skin care regimen that encompasses a balance of treatments and diet. Call us to set up an appointment or request an appointment online (305) 518-1112

 

 

 

Acne treatment options include cleansers and degreasers, prescription medications such as topical antibiotics and retinoid derivatives, as well as oral antibiotics, chemical peels, and laser and light treatments.  It is important to seek professional dermatologic treatment early to prevent the possibility of permanent scarring. 

 

  Acne can be detrimental to a person's self-esteem in adolescence and adulthood and it can be treated. We are here to help.

Acne is an extremely common skin condition that affects up to 80% of adolescents, however, it can affect people of any age group.  It is characterized by papules (pimples), pustules (pus-filled pimples), open and closed comedones (whiteheads and blackheads), nodules (large pimples), and cysts.  The development of acne lesions is thought to result from overactive oil secretion from sebaceous glands, blocked pores, and overgrowth of bacteria.  Even patients currently being treated for acne may have flares, resulting from hormonal fluctuations and menstruation, genetic predisposition, stress, and workout supplements.  In severe cases, scarring from old acne lesions may result.

 

 

     Consult with our professionals for help with your acne scars.

For your Acne treatment consultation, our nurse practitioners at You & I Primary Care will gladly discuss which treatment options would be best suited to fit your needs. 

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Acne Q & A

 

 

What is acne?

     Acne is an extremely common skin problem in the United States, and you don’t have to be a teenager to experience it. Acne isn’t just pimples; it can present itself in several different ways, including:

• Whiteheads

• Blackheads

• Raised, solid pimples without pus, called papules

• Cysts

• Nodules

 

    It’s important to have the physicians and nurse practitioners at You & I Primary Care to evaluate your acne to get a proper treatment plan for the particular type you are experiencing.

 

What causes acne?

     Acne erupts when your pores become clogged by dead skin cells and oil. The bacteria that naturally exist in your pores feed on the dead skin and oil, which can cause inflammation, resulting in the red lesions known as acne.

 

How is acne treated?

      The first step in finding an effective treatment for acne is an evaluation from an experienced practitioner like Board Certified Nurse Practitioner Leonard Einstein DNP or Julio Manuel de Peña Batista MD. They can assess the type of acne and customize a treatment plan to get rid of unsightly bumps and sores. Your treatment strategy may include one or more of the following:

• Prescription medication

• Acne laser and light treatment

• Cleansers and degreasers

• Oral antibiotics

• Chemical peels

• Facials

 

     Topical retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) are the mainstay of acne treatment as they can help reduce blackheads, and whiteheads and decrease the oil content of the skin.  They can also help with hyperpigmentation, photodamage, and signs of aging (fine lines and wrinkles)

Start using this medication every other night or every third night x 2 weeks, then increase to nightly. If you become too red or irritated, then take a few nights off, and when the skin returns to normal use 3 -4 times a week as tolerated. The goal is to get to a point where you are using this medication nightly as this is one of the best treatments for acne.  

Apply this medication at night after washing your face. Place a pea-sized amount on your fingertip, mix it with 2-3 pumps of your night moisturizer, and apply it all over your face. However, avoid applying the topical retinoid on the corner of the eyes, corner of the nose, and corner of the mouth. During the day, should wear facial sunscreen as the product may make you sun-sensitive.

      The main side effects of this medication include skin dryness and irritation from the medication (redness, burning, and peeling).

 It’s important to get treatment for acne as soon as possible to eliminate scarring left by constant eruptions.

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How can I avoid acne breakouts?

      Sweat is a major contributor to acne breakouts. Using a gentle cleanser after any strenuous physical activity is important — don’t pick one that is harsh or abrasive. Treating your skin roughly doesn’t reduce acne; it can actually make it worse.

You should also avoid touching your face to avoid acne flare-ups. This includes picking or popping your pimples. It may seem like this is the best way to get rid of an infection, but you may actually cause more scarring or make your pimples harder to heal. Tanning and some medicines can also increase your chances of developing a problem with acne. To explore your acne treatment options, call our office You & I Primary Care or book an appointment online today.

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What Is Acne Laser Treatment?

     Blue Light is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses a visible, 400 nanometer light source to treat bacteria associated with acne vulgaris. This light is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate acne and can be administered alone or in combination with topical application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA), or Levulan. Combination treatment with ALA may enhance the Blue Light’s effectiveness in reducing the number of papules and pustules associated with acne. For a consultation on acne treatment call us or fill out an appointment request and you will be contacted soon.

If being treated with the Blue Light alone, a series of 8 treatments spaced approximately 2 weeks apart are necessary. Patients receiving Blue Light alone will be placed in front of the Blue Light for 16 minutes per treatment. If combining the Blue Light with ALA, a series of 3 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart are needed. Patients receiving the topical application of ALA with their Blue Light treatment sit with the topically-applied ALA solution for about thirty minutes and then sit in front of the Blue Light for eight minutes. Whether you have the Blue Light alone or you have the Blue Light in combination with ALA, the number of treatments, length of treatments, and intervals between treatments will vary depending on how severe your acne is.

Blue Light therapy is extremely safe however, there is a remote chance of hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Also, mild stinging or light erythema may persist for approximately one-half hour post-treatment.

Scarring from acne can leave disfiguring ice pick, pockmark, and box car-like scars.  The Cynosure/Palomar Non-Ablative Fractionated 1540nm Erbium laser and the Cynosure/Palomar Ablative Fractionated 2940nm Erbium laser can significantly improve the appearance of these scars with minimal or no downtime.

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If you are bothered by the appearance of acne scars, you will be glad to know that there are several types of acne scar treatments that can deliver dramatic improvements. Dr. Leonard Einstein is a board-certified nurse practitioner and world-renowned provider of acne scar treatments. In his vast experience, customized treatment protocols that include strategic combinations of various types of acne scar treatments can provide exceptional results.

 

 

RECOVERY TIMES FOR ACNE SCAR TREATMENTS

Every patient and acne scar procedure is unique, so recovery periods vary. The average needed recuperation times for some of the treatments provided at Leonard Einstein, DNP at  Aventura  medical practice are listed below:

 

• Dermaplaning: A few days, if at all

• Chemical peels: One week to one month or more, depending on the depth of the peel

• Laser resurfacing: Two to four weeks

• Bellafill® injections: Seven to ten days

• Radiofrequency with micro-needling: A few days

• Punch excisions: Seven to ten days

• Subcisions: One week

 

 

PROCEDURE DETAILS

ACNE SCAR TREATMENT OPTIONS

 

 

DERMAPLANING

      For more superficial scarring, Nurse Practitioner Leonard may recommend dermaplaning. This technique involves slowly and carefully moving a 10-gauge scalpel across the acne scars at a 45-degree angle to exfoliate the top layer of skin (epidermis). This process allows the acne scars to be removed along with dead skin cells, impurities, and other topical blemishes, clearing the way to regrow a new, smoother epidermis.

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CHEMICAL PEELS

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    During a chemical peel treatment, a specially formulated solution is applied to the skin’s surface, so it can be peeled away, taking acne scar discoloration, wrinkles, fine lines, and other types of hyperpigmentation along with it. Chemical peels also work to stimulate the body’s production of collagen, which supports the formation of healthier, firmer skin.

There are several types of chemical peels that can improve the appearance of acne scars. This type of acne scar treatment is highly customizable, as chemical peels are available to provide superficial, medium, and deep peeling effects.

The best chemical peel for the treatment of acne scars depends on the depth of the scars, the patient’s skin type and tone, and other factors. Board Certified Nurse Practitioner Leonard Einstein performs a thorough skin assessment during the patient’s initial consultation to determine the optimal chemical peel for his or her unique needs.

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LASERS

    Laser skin resurfacing for acne scar removal works by using a concentrated beam of light (laser) to heat the skin. This causes controlled damage within the dermal tissue which triggers the body’s natural healing response, including increased collagen production.

This may sound similar to chemical peels; in fact, the two procedures are often performed in tandem for a more thorough acne scar treatment. However, laser skin resurfacing allows for a higher degree of precision and intensity than chemical peels.

Dr. Leonard Einstein DNP  utilizes several advanced laser devices for the treatment of acne scars. His patients’ personalized treatment plans often include one or more of the following types of laser skin resurfacing: 

• Fractional ablative: Used to eliminate the epidermis and penetrate into the dermis to stimulate collagen production

• Fractional non-ablative: Lighter laser resurfacing that encourages collagen production without removing the epidermis

• Vascular: Specifically targets abnormal blood vessels within the skin and can be ideal for discoloration

• Intense pulsed light (IPL): Used to treat raised (hypertrophic) acne scars

 

 

 

MICRONEEDLING

     Another acne scar treatment method is microneedling. This procedure is performed with a cosmetic device that is equipped with tiny, sterilized needles that are used to create micro-injuries in the skin, breaking up acne scars where needed and promoting skin tissue regrowth. Some microneedling devices also emit radiofrequency energy for added collagen stimulation and enhanced results like our Morpheus 8. 

Dr. Leonard Einstein often combines microneedling treatments with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP is derived from the patient’s blood in a simple process that involves a standard blood draw followed by the use of a centrifuge to isolate platelets and plasma from other components of the blood sample.

PRP contains essential growth factors for considerable regenerative benefits. When applied topically immediately after creating microchannels in the skin via microneedling, this potent restorative substance can penetrate deeply into the dermal tissue for maximum absorption and enhanced results.

 

 

 

DERMAL FILLERS

     Dermal filler injections are well-suited to atrophic (indented) acne scars, commonly referred to as “ice pick,” “boxcar,” or “rolling” scars. Dermal fillers can be used to both encourage new collagen production as well as add volume to the treatment area to fill in that empty tissue space and restore a smooth skin surface. This type of acne scar treatment can be incredibly helpful for patients who have multiple acne scars from old breakouts on their cheeks.

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SUBCISION

     Subcision is usually performed in conjunction with dermal filler injections (or sometimes another above-mentioned procedure). This technique can be ideal when atrophic acne scars are tethered to underlying scar tissue. With submission, Leonard Einstein DNP uses a long, sterilized needle to break up the scar tissue’s fibrotic bands, so they no longer pull the skin inward to cause indentations.

 

 

 

TCA CROSS

      TCA CROSS stands for trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for the chemical reconstruction of skin scars. The basic idea is to “burn” the base of an atrophic acne scar with TCA so that it closes in on itself. The chemical also triggers the body’s wound-healing response in order to grow new skin tissue. TCA CROSS is typically administered with a sterilized needle and involves treating one acne scar at a time.

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WILL I NEED TIME TO RECOVER FROM ANESTHESIA?

     Acne scar treatments are performed in the office on an outpatient basis, so it’s unlikely that you’ll need general anesthesia. For the average session, we will administer local anesthesia in the form of a topical numbing cream. This could take a few hours to wear off completely.
However, you should have no problem driving home afterward. With many acne scar removal procedures, you can even feel free to head back to work and resume your daily routine immediately.

 

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WILL IT BE OBVIOUS THAT I RECEIVED TREATMENT?

     It depends on which combination of protocols were utilized. Mild swelling, bruising, and/or redness can occur at the treatment sites after several types of acne scar treatments. These symptoms are collectively known as inflammation and are part of your body’s reparative processes.

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HOW CAN I SPEED UP THE ACNE SCAR TREATMENT RECOVERY PROCESS?

      Nobody gets medical treatment because they want inflammation, but sometimes it is a temporary reality. Thankfully, there are steps you can take on your own to reduce discomfort while staying safe and enhancing your future results:

• To help with swelling and bruising, you may apply an ice pack, as long as it is wrapped in a towel to protect your skin. Use a pattern of 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off as needed.

• Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications, fish oils, and other supplements that thin the blood until otherwise directed.

• Don’t smoke for at least six weeks.

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible until your recovery is complete. If you must go outside, put on sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

• If you notice some flaking skin, do not pick, rub, or scratch it.

•         Since many therapeutic methods, such as laser resurfacing, can have a dehydrating effect, be sure to drink plenty of water during the first few days following your session.

• Eating a nutritious diet is also a great help to get your body the energy it needs at this time.

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SHOULD I USE AT-HOME SKINCARE PRODUCTS?

   We advise against applying makeup and your own abrasive exfoliators to the treated areas until given the all-clear by our staff. This allows the skin the time and cleanliness it needs for proper healing.

Some topical products can be quite helpful in relieving skin inflammation and promoting healing after acne scar care. Our protocols include Skinmedica products which are medical grade as well as exosomes that  are exactly what our professional will order – literally. For example, Leonard Einstein DNP frequently recommends that patients use the Exosomes following acne scar treatments to promote a clear, bright, and even complexion.

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MINIMAL RECOVERY FOR LIFE-CHANGING IMPROVEMENTS

   For the vast majority of patients, even the most intensive acne scar treatments require very little downtime and are minimally disruptive to their daily lives. If you want to talk to Leonard Einstein DNP about your options for acne scar removal, contact our conveniently located practice in the city of Aventura , Florida to schedule a consultation.

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    Acne can cause permanent redness and scarring, affecting the look and feel of your skin. Fortunately,  Board Certified Nurse Practitioner Leonard Einstein DNP, and our medical director physician Julio Manuel de Peña, MD at You & I Primary Care, Aesthetics and Wellness in Aventura, Florida, offer comprehensive solutions for acne, including laser treatment, microneedling, peels, and medication. Call or schedule an appointment online to take advantage of their experience in successfully treating acne with the latest techniques.