Dermapen® for Multiple Skin Conditions

At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we are committed to providing our patients with optimal skincare. Our providers work with each patient to find the best treatment plan for their unique skin needs. With our multiple specialty centers, the treatment possibilities are numerous. One effective treatment option for patients looking to address wrinkles, scars, stretch marks or acne scars is Dermapen®.

Dermapen® micro needling uses multiple microscopic needles to penetrate the superficial layers of the skin. Similar to fractionated lasers such as Fraxel®, micro needling creates very small wounds on the skin to trigger the healing process and production of new, healthy skin cells. Additionally, Dermapen® can be used to prepare the skin and facilitate the absorption of topical agents used during PDT (photodynamic therapy), PRP (platelet rich plasma), and other skin rejuvenation treatments. This skin renewal process can smooth the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and stretch marks.

Patients benefit from Dermapen® as the needle tips are adjustable to target specific areas of the face with different penetration levels for the best results. Dermapen®‘s smaller hand piece allows easier treatment for small, tight areas around the nose and upper lip. Most patients see results within a day to a week after the first treatment. Similar to DermaFrac treatments, most patients show minimal side effects including a mild sunburn appearance that usually subsides within a day.

We also offer laser resurfacing treatments and chemical peels for skin conditions such as fine lines, wrinkles and acne. If you are interested in Dermapen®, please call our office to schedule your appointment. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for the latest dermatological news and information.

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Topical Acne Treatments

Acne — it’s something most of us have encountered at some point in our lives. It can be annoying as well as embarrassing for patients of all ages and skin types. Acne is the most common skin condition, but the good news is there are various treatment options available depending on your unique skin needs. Acne is usually caused by dead skin cells, excessive oil production, hormonal issues, or bacteria growth within the pores. Dermatology Associates of Atlanta is here to identify the cause of acne and work with you to create an effective, personalized treatment plan for you.

Topical treatments are usually our first line of defense against acne for their ease of use and availability. Some of the most common topical solutions include benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, salicylic acid, and retinoids.  Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two of most popular ingredients in over-the-counter acne medicines that work to kill bacteria on the skin.  Topical and/or oral antibiotics can help inhibit the growth and/or kill acne-causing bacteria.  Topical retinoids are derived from vitamin A and can treat mild to moderate acne by unclogging pores. Sometimes other prescription drugs can be used with severe cases of acne.

Although these topical treatments are commonly used to treat acne there are other options available to combat your skin concerns. At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we offer customized prescription compounds for your specific acne concerns.  Microdermabrasion, Isolaz™ laser treatment, Allumera® photodynamic therapy, and chemical peels can help repair the skin’s surface damage and purify your skin of pore-clogging dead skin cells. We also offer numerous skin care products, including customized prescription compounds, that can help prevent and treat acne.

Before trying any of these treatments it’s important to set up a consultation with a dermatologist to determine your type of acne and the most appropriate treatment. If you are interested in setting up an acne consultation please contact our office today. Stay up-to-date on the latest skin care news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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How Do Antibiotics Benefit Patients with Acne and Rosacea?

In an article entitled “Antibiotics: How and Why They Benefit Acne and Rosacea Care,” in the journal Practical Dermatology, dermatologists discuss the importance antibiotics can play in treating these common skin conditions. Over the past decade, the number of dermatologists and non-dermatology doctors prescribing antibiotics to help acne and rosacea sufferers has increased. Not only do antibiotics have an antimicrobial effect, they also serve as anti-inflammatories—especially tetracyclines, a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat a multitude of conditions.

The article mentioned a study in which acne sufferers’ skin was carefully tracked, which revealed that inflammation of the pores proceeds comedogenesis (the clogging of pores). This means that using antibiotics for their anti-inflammatory purposes could help prevent the occurrence of certain types of acne and/or rosacea in some patients.

Rare side effects are mentioned in the article as well as the chance that regular users could develop antibiotic resistance which would make treatment ineffective. However, the remedy for these situations involves proper diagnosis, choosing a formula to fit each patient, and prescribing medications for the appropriate course depending on the individual patient. Even though these uncommon side effects exist, “antibiotics have proven most useful for the anti-inflammatory effects associated with their use,” according to the article.

Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s expertly trained dermatologists can help to accurately diagnose your type of acne and prescribe the right course of treatment based on your individual skin type and conditions. For some patients, laser and light treatments are beneficial in treating the symptoms of rosacea and acne. Our V-Beam Perfecta™ laser helps to treat flushing and redness with its micropulse laser technology, while FotoFacial IPL treatments impact the red color of visible veins and the brown pigment in age spots resulting in an all-around clearer complexion. Newer photodynamic therapies like Allumera® help clear acne through the use of a topical cream that is allowed to soak in the skin before being activated with a light source chosen by a dermatologist. IsoLaz™ uses suction to clean pores and then a bacteria-killing light to help eliminate acne at its source.

We understand that your skin is an important part of your everyday life, appearance, and even first impressions. Our diligent and compassionate providers will work with you to create the most effective skincare regimen to help you reach your cosmetic goals.

Contact our office for more details on our acne and rosacea treatments and to schedule your appointment.

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New Studies Shed Light on the Treatment of Tough Acne and Scars

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions and is often caused by dead skin cells, excessive oil production, and/or bacteria growth on the skin. Regardless of age, patients who suffer from acne will most often try anything to rid themselves of this embarrassing skin condition. Featured in a recent edition of Practical Dermatology, five new studies regarding the treatment of acne and acne scarring may be the answer for individuals whose acne may not respond to other treatments.

The first study mentioned addresses the different cultural and ethnic factors that affect the treatment of acne. For example, individuals with darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation from harsher acne treatment therapies. Along the same lines, certain cultural attitudes toward acne treatments and folk remedies passed down through families may contribute to the failure of certain dermatological treatments.

The second study looks into the use of CO2 Fractionated Lasers to safely address acne scarring in individuals with darker skin tones. The results of the research show that around 35% of patients who received non-ablative factional treatment and 37% of patients receiving ablative fractional treatments experienced a 50% improvement in the appearance of their skin including a reduction in the appearance of acne scars. Meanwhile, no adverse effects were experienced in the skin tone or texture of patients.

In another study, researchers found that a mixture containing 10% glycolic acid could be an effective treatment for mild acne. Glycolic acid is a chemical often used in chemical peels that works to slough the outer layers of skin and open the pores in the second layer of skin which loosens blackheads and debris clogging pores. The research on this chemical mixture shows that patients responded after 90 days of treatment, and some even noticed a benefit after 45 days.

The fourth study looks into the effects of radiofrequency to reduce the appearance of acne scars and skin texture irregularities post-acne. During the trial, patients received five RF treatments 30 days apart. Researchers observed a 72% improvement in the appearance of acne scars based on the acne scar scale. Patient skin texture and pigmentation improved over 60% each as well.

Finally, in a study conducted in Japan, researchers found that patients are more likely to adhere to an acne treatment plan as prescribed by a dermatologist when patients felt like they had a good understanding of acne as a skin condition and how to treat it. Factors like side effects and personal satisfaction with the treatment also had an impact on whether patients continued with treatment. These findings illustrate that improving patient education regarding acne and treatment may increase patient adherence to acne treatments.

Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s board certified dermatologists and qualified providers invite you to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates in acne and dermatology news.

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For Healthy Skin Get Some Sleep

Though we’ve all heard the phrase “beauty sleep,” we probably don’t actually think about how beneficial a good night’s rest can be for our skin. When we were younger, staying out all night and looking decent the next day was no problem. However, as skin ages, it doesn’t recover as well from a lack of sleep as it once did. Here are some ways a solid 8 hours can improve your skin:

Restful sleep promotes the production of new skin cells. As the surface skin cells die, our complexions begin to look dull and damaged. Sleep helps to clean up the daily damage we’ve inflicted upon our skin (unprotected exposure to UV rays, contact with pollution and free radicals, etc.) by encouraging skin cell turnover more so than during the day, according to Alex Khadavi, M.D., associate dermatology professor at the University of Southern California.

Your skincare products are more effective at night. The retinoids, vitamins, and other anti-aging ingredients in skincare products become less effective after extended exposure to sunlight. At night, the lack of sunlight means that anti-aging ingredients stay active longer than during the day. This is why more nighttime skincare products contain more active ingredients than daytime products.

Lack of sleep can increase stress hormones. Sleep deprivation increases the amounts of stress hormones in your body which can lead to increased inflammation and flare ups of skin conditions like acne or rosacea. This effect can speed up the skin’s aging process leaving you looking older the less sleep you get.

Not getting enough shut eye can decrease hydration. When your body doesn’t get the amount of sleep it needs, its ability to maintain hydration decreases. Once supple skin can become dehydrated, damaged, and dull. This also makes the skin less able to protect itself, leaving it more susceptible to harsh chemicals and environmental contaminants regardless of your skincare regimen.

While it’s important to maintain a healthy skincare schedule, regular anti-aging cosmetic treatments, and avoid skin-damaging sun exposure, getting enough sleep at night is just as important in preserving your skin’s youthful appearance. For those who may have not have gotten to snooze as long as they should have through the years, Dermatology Associates of Atlanta offers patients anti-aging and wrinkle reduction treatments including facial fillers, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and more.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact our office. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest in wrinkle reduction news and updates.

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