How to Treat Your Long-Term Acne
By Susan Lin | Published on November 4, 2010 | 0 Comments
As a popular a board-certified physician and dermatologist in San Mateo, California who has been in practice for over 20 years, Susan Lin M.D. has seen firsthand how acne scarring has affected her patients. Of course, there are the physical scars that are left behind, but there are psychological scars that need to be treated as well.
Dr. Lin explains that when she treats acne patients in their 40s and 50s, they still break down and cry after she is able to fix their acne scars. Since most acne sufferers will try over-the-counter medicines or the products they see advertised on infomercials to no avail, finding a long-lasting solution is a life-altering discovery.
In addition to the acne that pops up on people’s faces, Dr. Lin also treats acne on the body as well, particularly on the chest and back, where painful sores can erupt. The skin on the back, she explains, is a lot thicker, and there are more oil glands, which means that treatment has to be more aggressive. However, there are still solutions available.
For the most part, Dr. Lin usually likes to start treatment with topical medications and extractions to address the most troublesome areas, combined with chemical peels to help new skin grow in healthy and clear. This method usually takes four to six weeks to clear the skin, although gradual improvements are noticeable to the patient throughout. In more severe cases, laser treatments are used, which result in an immediate response that the patient is able to notice the very next day.
While Dr. Lin always explains the advantages of the treatment plans she recommends, ultimately the decision is in the patient’s hand. When people are frustrated and do not want to wait the four weeks before they’ll be able to see results with the topical method, the staff will go ahead and perform the laser treatment for automatic results.
Once the doctor and patient are able to devise an effective treatment plan, maintaining clear skin becomes second nature. The goal, Dr. Lin explains, is to take people off of prescription medications and incorporate a system that is benzyl peroxide-free to maintain results. Maintenance may also include regularly scheduled chemical peels twice a year to refresh the skin. Most acne sufferers know, says Dr. Lin, that there is not a definite cure for acne, but that the problem is at least controllable.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.