Acne is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the skin. Pimples, blackheads, and bumps are prevalent forms of acne. This skin problem affects everyone sometimes in life but is common among adults. Adolescence, changes in the hormones as well as psycho-social stress are the reasons behind the occurrence of acne. Facial scarring also occurs because of acne. People affected by acne start to have oily skin full of spots that are painful at times. It mainly affects the face. In some, it develops on the chest and back. Along with acne, blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts also occur. It can affect a person at any age, primarily teenagers.
What is Acne Surgery?
Acne surgery is a medical term doctors use to describe several procedures involving acne treatment, and none of the treatment procedures are as frightening as you imagined or believed. So, some people go through acne surgery to treat strong breakouts that somehow did not improve with other treatments. So, even after an acne surgery, you may use a medication related to acne treatment. (1) (2) (3)
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Types of Acne Surgery
If standard treatments fail to cure acne, dermatologists may suggest surgical interventions by well-trained professionals. Techniques like laser surgery, chemical peels, cortisone injections, and blemish excision address persistent acne conditions.
Laser Surgery
Various laser surgeries are available, but the kind suitable for a person depends on skin type, color, and the benefit or result you want. A high-intensity light is directed towards the skin when the treatment is conducted. Then, depending on the particular treatment used, a laser will reduce inflammation and prevent the bacteria that cause acne from growing. The pimples on the skin will start to heal, and the skin will also rejuvenate. This Laser surgery is used to treat acne and get rid of the scars caused by acne. Sometimes, only one laser surgery is enough, but a few treatments are sometimes required.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels, a potent acne surgery method, involve applying various chemical agents to the skin. Unlike superficial peels, these are suitable for severe acne conditions. After application, the chemical removes the skin’s surface, initiating a remodeling process. Skin flaking occurs over the following days and weeks, revealing renewed skin. Dermatologists can recommend specific peels based on individual skin needs. This technique is effective for treating acne and addressing blemishes resulting from acne.
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Blemish Excision
Sometimes, medications prescribed by your doctor are incapable of removing blemishes. In such cases, blemish excision is used by many dermatologists. When blemish excision is used for acne, the skin goes through a small incision. Then, pus and debris are drained out from the blemish. The blemish usually starts to heal when the pus is cleared. The slight scar may occur due to blemish excision. Hence, you should consult your dermatologist to understand whether this surgery is suitable for you or not. However, a blemish excision will not stop the formation of new breakouts and is only effective on those already existing blemishes. Hence, if you wish to have control over the breakouts, then you should make use of a medication related to acne treatment.
Cortisone Injection
Cortisone injections are used to diminish large and inflamed blemishes. A dermatologist injects a cortisone injection directly into the acne to treat it. The needle used in the injection is very tiny. The blemish evens out after a few hours or one or two days. These injections are used during times of emergency for treating severe blemishes. But to clear up the acne, you will require regular treatment. A cortisone injection is the sole method of treating intermittent acne, but these injections are also used when antibiotics cannot suppress acne.
What procedure is the best?
Different people have different types of acne. The suitable treatment that will be used depends on the type of acne a patient has. So, if you are affected by a mild or moderate acne condition, the surgery conducted for the acne will be simple. But it will be a little challenging if you have an inflammatory one. Sometimes, patients have to go through more than one type of acne therapy to get rid of it completely. So consult a doctor, get a diagnosis, and then you will know which option of acne surgery is the best for you.
Expected results of acne surgery
Irrespective of the cause of the acne, the surgery aims for active acne and ensures the skin heals appropriately and candidly. The cosmetic appearance will be improved, and all kinds of acne scars will be entirely resolved. But when it is used to treat post-acne scars, the scars become less visible after the surgery, and the appearance of a patient’s face is improved.
Who should go through this acne surgery?
Various products that help reduce and eliminate acne are also available. Be it ointments or cleansers, they help a person to cleanse the skin pores and thus maintain a healthy complexion. Generally, these products are effective in treating acne. Medical therapy is also considered to be the first option to treat acne. But when this medical therapy is not practical or insufficient, and the condition becomes very complicated, surgery is considered a secondary treatment option. Acne surgery is necessary to remove inflamed and non-inflamed growths. So, for the treatment of active acne as well as post-acne scarring, acne surgery is also recommended.
Risks and Complications
Due to acne surgery, some complications may occur, such as:
- Prolonged erythema
- Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation
- Post-operative scarring
Patients who have darker skin are affected mainly by hyperpigmentation and scarring. After the surgery, a delay in healing occurs in patients with a present medical condition like active herpes simplex. Hence, patients for acne surgery should be carefully chosen. Moreover, a suitable surgical technique is necessary for the particular type of acne present to reduce any risk related to post-operative scarring.
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Thus, acne surgery is the only option for adequately caring for breakouts in severe cases. But depending on your severity, your doctor will determine which type of acne surgery is best suited for you.
Summary
Acne, a prevalent skin condition, arises from hormonal changes affecting various age groups. Severe cases may require acne surgery, which includes laser treatments, chemical peels, blemish excision, and cortisone injections. Laser surgery reduces inflammation and acne scars, chemical peels remove surface skin, and blemish excision drains blemishes. Cortisone injections alleviate significant, inflamed blemishes. Results aim for improved skin appearance and scar resolution. Surgery is considered when medical therapies prove insufficient, with different procedures tailored to the severity of the acne. Possible complications include erythema, hyperpigmentation, and post-operative scarring, particularly in patients with darker skin. Careful patient selection and appropriate surgical techniques help minimize risks.
