Acne Treatments Enjoy Pure, Unblemished Skin

Acne is something you likely assumed you’d be done with forever, once you’ve left your teens and early twenties. For many of us, acne does clear up, at least temporarily. It’s not uncommon, however, for adult-onset acne to become a concern, causing cosmetic issues and even sometimes physical discomfort. At the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, we’re committed to offering you a series of treatments that will reduce the appearance of acne and considerably improve the overall skin tone and texture. 

Our experienced team of aestheticians, working under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeons Drs. Burton and Reps Sundin, are experts at providing comfortable and effective acne treatments that will help clear your complexion. Our offices serve the Richmond, Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and Washington DC areas. When you’re ready to learn more about what we can do for you, reach out and set up your consultation with a member of our team.

Offering You Customized Skincare

No two individuals are alike, and neither is their skin. Most of us are familiar with acne—the result of oil-clogged pores that manifests in pimples, cysts, blackheads, and whiteheads. While some people may resort to oral antibiotics that treat the skin systemically, those solutions can have unwanted side effects like photosensitivity, allergic reactions, and adverse drug reactions. 

While mild acne can often be managed by simple over-the-counter creams and astringents, the effects only go so far. Alternate treatments such as chemical peels, laser treatments, and topical treatments can all have a profound effect on acne, reducing the appearance of blemishes and improving the overall health of the skin.

Here at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, we’ll offer you a customized treatment plan that addresses your issues on an individual level. We’re proud to provide our patients with a variety of treatment modalities, and when you visit us for your initial consultation, we’ll help you decide on the option that is right for you and your goals.

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Topical Treatments

For milder cases, a range of specialty topical treatments are available and can be recommended by your aesthetician. The specific treatment will depend on your skin type and condition, as well as the extent of the acne to be treated. In some cases, a topical cream might be recommended in conjunction with another form of treatment, such as laser therapy or a chemical peel.

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Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are available in a range of intensities. Some are very light and easy requiring no downtime, while others will remove a deeper layer of skin and may require some recuperative time in order to allow the new layer of skin to grow beneath the old, damaged layer. Depending on your skin condition and desired aesthetic effects, your aesthetician can recommend a safe and effective chemical peel that will give you the fresh new look you’ve been searching for. Chemical peels work by removing the surface layer or layers of skin, revealing the fresh new skin beneath. They effectively reduce acne breakouts by drying up the oil that is the cause of pimples and can also reduce the appearance of scars from past breakouts.

Laser Treatments

Laser treatments are used to reduce the body’s production of sebum, or oil, which is the cause of most acne breakouts. They also work by stimulating a compound that lives within the acne bacteria, called porphyrins. When the porphyrins become agitated, they begin to attack the cellular walls of the bacteria, causing the bacteria to die and clearing up any acne blemishes. Laser treatments are also an effective means of improving the appearance of scars from past breakouts. The laser carefully targets the scar tissue, both heating it up and lifting it away. The thermal effect of the laser also stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen, allowing the body to build healthy new skin to take the place of the damaged tissue.

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Say Goodbye to Acne Scars

Most of us have scars of some sort, whether from acne, injury, or even a prior surgery. In some cases, the appearance of scars may mar an otherwise pristine aesthetic appearance, causing us to feel insecure or undermine our self-confidence. The formation of collagen, which is the body’s response to an injury to the skin (such as a severe acne breakout) causes a swollen or mottled appearance in the affected area, which is often difficult to disguise with clothing or make-up.

Offering You Innovative Solutions

Fortunately, board-certified plastic surgeons Drs. Burton and Reps Sundin at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery are adept at laser resurfacing techniques, and the use of the innovative new INFINI system. Both of these techniques can affect tremendous improvements in the appearance of scars, normalizing their texture, elevation, and skin color to blend naturally with your skin tone.

Whether you are concerned about the appearance of acne scars, scars from injury, surgery, or keloids, the highly-skilled team at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery—with offices serving the Richmond, Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and Washington DC areas—will speak with you about your aesthetic goals and desired outcomes. 

While laser resurfacing might be the preferred acne scar treatment in Northern Virginia for many individuals, the INFINI system might be preferable for others. Since each human being is unique, with a special skin type, metabolism, and aesthetic standards than others, each treatment program will be customized to address your specific needs and will be developed with you during your consultation.

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How Laser Resurfacing Can Help

One technique used to improve the appearance of scar tissue is laser resurfacing. It sounds as high-tech as it is, with a precise, high-level laser targeting the specific scar tissue beneath the skin’s surface. Laser energy sends light deep into the contours of your scar, lifting away the upper layers of the unwanted tissue, while stimulating the body’s natural defenses which create the healthy new tissue that will take its place.

As the laser heats the skin, it stimulates the production of collagen, which contributes to the creation of smooth, healthy skin beneath the scar, improving the skin’s appearance and helping diminish the raised, unsightly scar tissue. This procedure is generally painless and is suitable for all skin types and tones.

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Improving Skin Tone and Texture

Microneedling with INFINI is an innovative non-surgical way to dramatically improve skin tone, including the appearance of scars. As with laser resurfacing, INFINI works by stimulating the body’s own regenerative power and sparking increased collagen production to smooth over the scar tissue and cause healthy skin cells to grow in its place.

INFINI works through the insertion of a series of tiny needles (called microneedles) into the upper layer of the skin, stimulating the body’s regenerative powers from the outside. At the same time, the INFINI system delivers thermal stimulation to the affected area, which stimulates the body’s cells to regenerate from the inside.

Using this dual-stimulation, the INFINI system delivers intense healing energy, while also improving other aesthetic qualities. Microneedling is an easy, relaxing process that involves no downtime. A topical analgesic is often used to ensure that the treatment involves no discomfort, and the process typically takes between 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Set Up Your Consultation Today

If you have acne scars that you would like to eliminate while also seeking to improve overall skin tone, texture, and firmness, microneedling with INFINI may be the right choice for you. When you’re ready to learn more about how we can help you accomplish your cosmetic goals, reach out and set up your consultation with a helpful member of our team.

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