Acne
Scars
At Thrive, acne treatment integrates laser therapy, hormone evaluations, diet, and exercise.
We address acne from multiple levels internally and externally with both laser treatments all the way to evaluating hormones and diet and exercise. We take a, you know, a very integrative approach, and looking at the, the, whole body as to what could be contributing to the acne.
You know most people that suffer from acne it’s extremely, you know emotionally, psychologically debilitating. So, to be able to work with those individuals and help them and most of the things that we offer are you know, pretty natural. So, they’re less harmful to the body with less side effects and with very, very, good results.
Acne treatments
We understand the difficulty in finding the right treatment for acne-prone skin. At Thrive, we offer our patients from Portland, Lake Oswego, Tigard, and neighboring communities several acne treatments, including:
- Chemical peels
- IPL
- Blue and red light therapy
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
- RevLite Q Switch 1064
- Medical grade skin care products
Chemical peels are used to improve and smooth your skin. Customized to your unique needs, a chemical peel will gently remove the top layers of your skin to reveal younger, healthier looking skin below. We offer three different types of chemical peels from mild to deep, depending on the level of your scarring. During a consultation in our friendly, comfortable office, we will assess your skin and discuss the variables involved in a chemical peel so that you can see how we achieve optimal rejuvenating results.
Laser acne treatments are also extremely effective at improving the skin. Medical blue and red light treatments can reduce the appearance of active acne. This form of acne treatment used in our Portland practice works by killing the bacteria that causes acne in the first place. Blue and red light therapy for acne has been shown to have a success rate of at least 80 percent, and is non-toxic with no recovery time necessary.
Using the right skin products works well in partnership with more intense treatments. SkinMedica continually researches and develops its products to offer the latest in skin care. We offer the entire SkinMedica product line, and we will work with you to recommend the best option or combination of products for beautiful, healthy skin that gets noticed for all the right reasons.
Acne Scarring
You do not necessarily have to suffer from chronic cystic acne to experience acne scarring. Marks may remain on the skin due to a variety of factors. Thrive has the means to restore healthy texture to skin that has been affected by scarring. Some of the innovative tools we have assembled for acne scar treatment include:
- Laser Genesis
- CO2 Laser resurfacing
- RevLite Q Switch 1064
Scars from cystic acne may be deep, called ice pick scars. These marks can be treated safely and effectively with saline injections, or precise injections with a suitable dermal filler, such as Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse.
Schedule a consultation at Thrive! Our skin specialists will evaluate your skin and devise a treatment plan around your specific needs. A skin treatment plan for current acne and/or acne scarring usually includes a combination of products and treatments designed especially to treat your problem areas.
Contact us to begin your acne and scar reduction treatment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are acne scars?
Acne scars are imperfections in the skin that form due to acne or blemishes. Much like scars that your skin forms after an injury, acne scars can have a variety of appearances and depths.
How do people get acne scars?
To understand how acne scars are formed, it helps to know what acne blemishes are. In a blemish, the pore in the skin has become clogged with oil (sebum), bacteria, and dead skin cells. This causes the pore to swell and become inflamed. Eventually, the follicle wall can break, which forms a lesion and is what has the potential to cause scarring. Deeper breaks can cause infectious material to spill out and cause more intensive injuries. To repair itself, the skin creates new collagen in the area, which can lead to a more rough or pigmented area than the skin had previously.
What are the types of acne scars?
There are two primary forms of acne scars:
- Atrophic/depressed scars: These look like small holes in your skin and occur if there has been a loss of healthy skin tissue. “Boxcar” scars are usually oval or round with steep sides and look similar to the scars that chickenpox can leave, and “icepick” scars look like small holes.
- Hypertrophic/keloid scars: These occur due to excess collagen formation during the healing process, leaving a raised area on the skin.
How to avoid getting acne scars?
The best way to avoid getting acne scars is to take steps to manage active acne breakouts and prevent new ones from forming. At Thrive, we offer several acne treatments to help you effectively manage your acne.
What acne scar treatment options are available?
Patients come to us regularly, asking,” How do I get rid of acne scars?” Fortunately, there are several options available due to advances in skincare technology. Acne scar treatments we offer include:
- Laser Genesis
- RevLite Q Switch 1064
- CO2 laser resurfacing
- Dermal fillers for icepick scars, such as Juvéderm or Radiesse
- Saline injections for icepick scars
Which acne scar procedure is the correct one for me?
The answer to, “What’s the best treatment for acne scars?” depends on your specific skin and the type of acne scar that you have. The best way to determine which acne scar procedure is the right one for you is to schedule a one-on-one consultation with a qualified skin care professional. At Thrive, we will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your skin and discuss your medical and lifestyle history, as well as talk about your treatment preferences and goals, to help you determine which treatment will be best for your unique skin. We are always happy to answer any questions that you have so you feel comfortable with your decision.
Does acne scar removal hurt?
One of our primary goals is to ensure you are comfortable at all times when you are receiving care at Thrive. For any treatments that may cause pain and discomfort, such as laser therapy, we apply a topical anesthetic at the beginning of the procedure so that you do not experience pain.
How can I prepare for the treatment?
Treatment preparation varies depending on the specific therapy you are using. We will discuss what to do prior to your treatment – if anything – during your consultation so you are well-prepared.
Am I a good candidate for acne scar treatment?
Because there are so many different types of skin and acne scars, the treatment options for each one varies, and you may be a better candidate for one treatment option than another. Some acne scar therapies may not be recommended if you have certain medical conditions. If you have acne scars that are affecting your self-confidence, then we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Thrive to determine which treatments might work for you.
How much does it cost?
Because no two patients are alike, the treatment plan for each patient is unique and often combines multiple therapies to help achieve the best results. The best way to determine the cost for your treatment is to schedule a personalized consultation, where we will discuss the therapies recommended for your unique skin as well as your cost estimate and various payment options to help fit your treatment into your budget.
