Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ - How to Prevent Acne Scarring

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT
HOW TO PREVENT
ACNE SCARRING
Joel Schlessinger, MD
Interested in learning more or setting up an appointment? Call 402.334.7546 or visit
http://www.LovelySkin.com/Acne to browse our full selection of products.

What is acne scarring?
Acne scars develop in areas where acne,
particularly cystic acne, has once been present.
Some acne scars are shallow and atrophic.
Others vary in size and appearance, often
described as being like a boxcar in shape or an
enlarged pore. Still others are shaped like ice
picks, deep and narrow. Sometimes acne leaves
behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a
temporary discoloration of the skin where the
blemish once developed. Though often
confused with scarring, post-inflammatory
hyperpigmentation is not a true scar and will
fade on its own over time.
Before After

Why does acne scarring occur?
Acne scars occur because of the
severe skin inflammation and
collagen damage associated with
certain types of acne. When a
blemish becomes inflamed and
engorged with sebum and other
impurities, the pore swells, causing a
break in the follicle wall. If the break
to the follicle wall is deep, healthy
skin tissue can become permanently
lost or damaged, resulting in a scar.
After

Who is at risk for acne scarring?
Patients are more at risk to develop acne
scarring if they:
o Suffer from severe acne with painful
nodules and cysts.
o Developed acne at a young age, such
as during the preteen years.
o Have blood relatives with acne
scarring, leaving them genetically
predisposed.
o Noticed no results from over-the-counter
acne treatments.
Before After
http://www.LovelySkin.com/LINK to browse our full selection of products.

What can I do to prevent acne scarring?
Most acne scarring is preventable,
but it takes diligence and
commitment. You’ll need an effective
acne treatment program and you’ll
need to take charge of controlling
any bad habits like picking. Try these
tips from Dr. Joel Schlessinger to
greatly reduce the chances of
developing acne scarring.
Before After

1. Treat acne first.
The fewer blemishes and breakouts you have,
the less likely you are to develop acne scars. The
best thing you can do to prevent acne scarring is
to treat the actual acne first. Consult with your
dermatologist to pinpoint the cause of your
acne and come up with the best treatment plan.
While over-the-counter products can
sometimes help acne, using the wrong regimen
for your needs could result in more damage to
your skin over time. An expert like Dr.
Schlessinger will be able to prescribe an
affordable, prescription-strength treatment
regimen for your specific type of acne.
After

2. Continue to treat acne even after breakouts
have cleared.
If you’ve consulted with a physician
and obtained a prescription for your
acne, you should begin to see
excellent results within weeks of
treatment. Once your skin has
cleared, it is crucial to maintain a
treatment plan so that acne doesn’t
return. You can consult with a
physician to create an acne
maintenance plan.
Before After

3. Do not pick, poke, pop or squeeze pimples.
When you pick, squeeze or pop a
pimple, bacteria can filter deeper
into the skin, resulting in more
damage to healthy tissue and
collagen. More bacteria can also
enter the blemish and cause
infection and even more
inflammation, resulting in more
severe scarring. Though it may be
tempting, never pick at a blemish.
Before After

4. Be gentle with your skin.
Never use harsh scrubbing motions to clean
your skin, as this could further irritate acne.
Acne treatments can be potent. Always use
your products as directed to avoid stripping the
skin of moisture and disrupting its healthy oil
balance. Wear a sun protection product every
day since sun exposure can worsen acne and
cause more skin discoloration. Choose a
sunscreen like EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Broad-
Spectrum Sunscreen, Dr. Schlessinger’s favorite
non-comedogenic, oil-free and fragrance-free
formula for acne patients.
Before After

5. Be patient with your skin’s progress.
Being patient is key when it comes to
successfully beating acne. Acne
treatments are not designed to work
overnight, but they will usually produce
a noticeable improvement in a matter of
weeks. In the meantime, use any
products and medications exactly as
directed and do not try to take matters
into your own hands by picking and
popping or trying to supplement with
other treatments.
Before After

When it comes to clearing acne, it’s important
to see the right dermatologist.
Never self-treat for even moderate acne. It
is far better in the long run to seek
treatment from an expert. Dr. Joel
Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist
at Skin Specialists of Omaha, can assess
the type and cause of your acne and
recommend affordable treatment options.
His expertise and years of experience have
yielded excellent results for his patients.
The following photos from his clinic
illustrate a marked improvement in those
patients with mild to severe acne.
After

Acne treated with standard treatment options
After

Acne treated with Accutane
After

Before and after yeast acne treatment
After

Acne treatment before and after
After

Here’s how you can find out
more about Dr. Joel Schlessinger:
- Facebook http://www.facebook.com/drjoelschlessinger
- Twitter http://www.twitter.com/drschlessinger
- Blogs http://drjoelschlessinger.com/
http://drjoelschlessinger.wordpress.com/

Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ - How to Prevent Acne Scarring

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Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ - How to Prevent Acne Scarring