513.985.9885
Dr. Shalini Gupta, M.D.
Click to view our gallery of before & after photos below…
Acne Vulgaris is one of the world’s most common skin conditions and results from obstruction, bacterial colonization and inflammation of the sebaceous follicles. The main cause of acne stems from an abnormal amount of bacteria, mainly Propionibacterium Acnes (P.acnes), resulting in inflammatory acne.
Acne affects between 85 to 100% of adolescents by the age of 24 years and has been shown to affect up to 50% of adults over 25 years. It usually appears on the face, chest, back and limbs, and can produce life-long scars, both physically and emotionally.
Acne Treatments have traditionally included two main categories: topical or systemic. Topical acne skin care treatments include Benzoyl Peroxide, alpha hydroxy acids, topical antibiotics, Retin-A, and other cleansers, soaps, or astringents. Systemic acne skin care treatments include oral antibiotics, isotretinoin (Accutane), or hormonal therapies. A combination of treatments is usually suggested in order to target all four acne contributors—Comedogenesis, Sebum production, P. acnes (the bacteria), and inflammation.
The Dermatology Laser and Vein Center offers the traditional treatments as well as alternatives for patients who either fail traditional treatment, cannot tolerate them, or prefer not to take oral medications or use irritating topical products. Sometimes a combination of medical and procedural treatment works best. You can be assured we provide you with the most advanced technologies available today to treat your acne.
Some of the technologies and treatments we use include:
Thermage was originally developed for tightening loose skin. However, it became rapidly apparent that patients with cystic acne noticed their acne clearing up as a side benefit of this skin tightening procedure. The gentle noninvasive radiofrequency energy heats the water in overactive sebaceous glands, causing a mild thermal injury that changes the activity and function of the glands. Shortly after the first Thermage acne treatment, you will start to see a reduction in cystic acne lesions. This treatment also improves the appearance of atrophic acne scars.
Acne treatment sessions take about 30-60 minutes
1-3 acne treatments recommended at 6-12 week intervals
Slight erythema and swelling may occur and usually resolves in 2-12 hours
Levulan PDT results in significant improvement in moderate to severe acne. Levulan acne treatment works in several different ways: It inactivates the bacteria that trigger acne, exfoliates the skin to unclog pores, and decreases the activity of overactive sebaceous glands in the skin.
Levulan applied for 1-2 hours
Activated with blue light for 9-15 minutes
Avoid all daylight exposure for 48 hours after treatment
Skin is red with some swelling and peeling for 3-7 days
3-4 treatments recommended at 1-4 week intervals
This is a fabulous combination of Laser treatment and Microdermabrasion to help shrink acne lesions followed by gentle exfoliation of the acne. There is virtually no recovery time. It is an excellent treatment to help reduce acne and improve some of the scarring along the way.
