Acne Specialist

What causes acne?

Acne can appear on the skin of your face neck, chest, back, or shoulders, and is usually caused by pores that have become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Oil-clogged pores can be made worse when bacteria that live on your skin get inside them and multiply. This can lead to deep inflammation and painful acne cysts.

Although it’s most common among teenagers, the number of adults who have acne is growing. More women, in particular, are experiencing acne in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. 

Why is it important to treat acne?

Persistent acne can seem like a never-ending problem — just as one breakout is clearing up, a new one emerges. Allowing the condition to run its course isn’t usually the best idea, however, because it can lead to skin flaws like dark spots and scarring. Starting an acne treatment regimen early can lower your risk of lasting damage.  

There are a variety of effective therapies available for acne. Using a combination of topical medications and in-office treatments can improve the texture of your skin and help eliminate breakouts. If you have more severe acne you may see better results with oral medication. Acne can’t be cured, but it can be minimized and kept under control.  

How does acne cause scarring?

Acne scars are typically caused by severe or chronic breakouts, which can damage both the surface of your skin and the deeper tissue layers. As acne clears, your body produces collagen to support the healing process. If your body produces too much collagen, it can cause raised acne scars, the kind that are most commonly seen along the chest and back. If your body produces too little collagen, it can cause depressed acne scars, or the small pits that are commonly seen on the face.

How can laser treatments help?

The team of experts at Easton Dermatology Associates use advanced Icon™ laser technology to target acne scars and diminish their appearance. It works by delivering microbeams of light deep into the dermis of your skin, where they cause miniscule perforations in the scar tissue. This triggers your body’s healing response, which stimulates collagen growth and helps tighten underlying tissues.

Laser treatments promote healthier, smoother-looking skin with few side effects, and usually require little or no recovery time. Lasers can be used to treat acne scarring on any part of your body, and is an excellent choice for patients who want to reduce the appearance of acne scarring.