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If you have been having acne breakouts, treating them with over-the-counter (OTC) products is your first option. These creams, lotions, ointments and wipes contain the active ingredients benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, which may have some effect on your acne. If your acne breakouts are severe and come with scarring, you will probably need medical treatment for your acne. Thankfully, Dr. David Baird and his team have a few highly effective options for you to choose from.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a procedure used to treat blemishes on the skin, including acne and acne scarring. Chemical peels are also used to reduce signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. There are several degrees of chemical peels and they range from mildly superficial to deeply resurfacing. For acne, a superficial chemical peel is most effective. During a chemical peel for acne, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. This will exfoliate the outer surface of the skin and remove the acne along with it. The outermost layer of skin rejuvenates itself quite quickly, in a matter of a couple of days. This degree of chemical peel can be performed in about an hour. There is also no downtime for recovery and you can get back to your busy life after leaving the office!

Cryotherapy for Acne

Cryotherapy is a form of medical treatment that involves using freezing temperatures to affect changes in the body. In this case, Dr. Baird’s staff will use liquid nitrogen on the areas of the face and neck that suffer from acne breakouts. The liquid nitrogen will be sprayed directly on the skin, although a cotton swab is sometimes used for spot treatments. The freezing temperatures cause the skin to peel. If you have scars from acne breakouts in the past, cryotherapy can greatly reduce their appearance. It also removes dead skin, which can clog pores and lead to acne breakouts in the future. An added benefit is the smoother-looking skin that will be revealed once you’ve had time to recover.

Manual Blackhead and Whitehead Extractions

Not every blackhead or whitehead needs to be manually extracted. Sometimes medications containing benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics or retinoids that are applied topically will remove them. If you have blackheads or whiteheads in your skin, do not try to remove them yourself! Although there are many self-help videos and instructions for doing this, you should have this professionally done. Doing this the wrong way can cause scarring and infections that can worsen the condition of your skin. Dr. Baird and his team will be using special instruments called extractors to remove blackheads and whiteheads. You will be given topical medications to apply to your skin after the procedure. Following aftercare instructions that will be provided by Dr. Baird’s staff will ensure that the risk of infection is at a minimum. You will be asked to return in a few weeks for a followup visit. Let Dr. Baird and his team of board-certified professionals treat your acne breakouts and scarring the right way. Call and schedule a consultation today.