Potomac, MD area dermatologist describes what to use for acne scars

Patients in the Potomac, MD area who are dealing with conditions such as acne need to visit with a dermatologist to discuss methods of addressing the condition as soon as possible. Not only can a dermatologist such as Dr. Ron Prussick help patients reduce or eliminate their acne blemishes, he can also diminish the risk of developing acne scars and can assist men and women in finding ways to reduce their appearance if they do occur.

Acne scars are caused by past acne blemishes. Patients who come to the practice interested in finding ways of addressing their acne scars will first want to discuss the ways of controlling active acne. It is important to get this condition under control before attempting to address acne scars as active acne can be creating new scars at the same time the dermatologist is treating the old ones. A consultation appointment and physical evaluation should be completed at Washington Dermatology Center to determine the type of acne a patient is dealing with, and then treatment options are discussed. Common acne treatments include topical medications, oral medications, laser therapies, facials, and light therapy.

Once the active acne has been controlled, Dr. Ron Prussick and his associates can then discuss methods of treatment for acne scars. Patients ask what to use for the treatment of acne scars. Some patients may benefit from a treatment such as microdermabrasion, which can help exfoliate the skin and bring forth new collagen for a more youthful appearance. This treatment can also improve texture and tone. Some patients require a deeper microneedling treatment with a DermaPen. The size and depth of the needling will vary based on the size of the scars.However, others may benefit more from an immediate fix such as dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are injectable gels that are used to reduce the depth of deep acne scars, making them far less noticeable. Dermal fillers commonly used for acne scars have hyaluronic acid in them, which is a naturally occurring protein in the skin that can attract water and thus add volume wherever it is injected. Hyaluronic acid is naturally absorbed by the body over time, so patients will need to have reinjections done to maintain the results. Most injectable dermal fillers last approximately six months, so patients can schedule their appointments as necessary to keep their skin looking its best.