How Does Intense Pulsed Light Help Acne?

Intense Pulsed light is an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne; it can improve the appearance of facial scarring while clearing inflammation and breakouts. The treatment works by using short, intense pulses of light to target affected areas of the skin where bacteria are located.

Targeted Treatment for Breakouts and Scarring

Acne scars typically appear as small dents or raised scars on the surface of the skin. They often change the skin’s pigmentation in the affected areas, creating dark spots or redness. Intense Pulsed Light can target these affected pigment cells in order to even out the discoloration, dramatically reducing the appearance of scars and giving patients a uniform skin color.

Intense Pulsed Light has the added benefit of being a non-abrasive solution, and because there is little discomfort during the procedure, there is no need for anesthesia. Patients rarely experience side effects, and even when they do, typically side effects are limited to a short-term redness that fades within a few hours of treatment.

For people who wish to improve the texture of their skin along with smoothing out pigmentation, Intense Pulsed Light can be combined with stronger and more intense treatments, such as chemical peels, in order to achieve even more dramatic results.

If you suffer from acne breakouts, Intense Pulsed Light can drastically reduce the appearance of acne breakouts and improve the condition of your skin. If acne scars are bothering you, Intense Puled Light can improve their appearance and restore your confidence. A typical session can last up to about thirty minutes, and each pulse of light can treat a large area of skin. For most patients, desired results can be achieved in 4 to 6 sessions.

It is possible to look better and feel better about your appearance. If you are interested in this procedure or seeking help for acne, contact the office of Coastal Skin Surgery. We will find the right treatment for whatever skin condition is on your wish-list for cosmetic dermatology treatment. 

Treatment Options for Medical Skin Conditions

Millions of people suffer from skin conditions that directly impact their quality of life. Some of these conditions are irritants, while others are painful or even life threatening.

Treatment options for medical skin conditions vary greatly, depending on the specific condition, but a medical dermatologist will be able to diagnose and determine which therapies will be most effective. Options include everything from laser therapy to skin surgery. The following are common medical skin conditions and their related treatments:

1) Rosacea

Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that can produce redness and bumps, particularly on the face. Though there is no absolute cure for this condition, there are topical medicines and treatments that can diminish and help patients manage the symptoms, including laser therapy to break up pigmentation.

2) Acne

Though acne is typically associated with the teenage years, the reality for many people is that the condition lingers or reappears well into adulthood. There are medications that can reduce the severity of acne, but other treatments such as laser therapy have also proven effective.

3.) Eczema
This bothersome medical condition produces patches of dry and itchy skin for a number reasons that include expose to allergens or other irritants. Because eczema is caused by so many different things, medical treatment for this concern is customized for patients' needs. Typical care includes topical mediation to soothe skin and prevent infection.

4) Skin Cancer

Unfortunately, skin cancer is on the rise, and it is affecting people at a younger age than ever before. For this reason, it is imperative that patients get screened on a regular basis; treatment is always more effective when the cancer is identified early. Surgical removal of the cancer is typically the best solution.

Whatever your condition, no matter how severe, there are treatments that can alleviate pain and discomfort, improve your appearance, and help you to feel better about yourself. Our highly trained and experienced dermatologists can recommend the right set of treatments for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Mohs Surgery vs. Traditional Skin Cancer Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery offers an alternative treatment for skin cancer that is particularly effective at removing skin lesions. Microscopic control gives dermatologists a higher degree of precision, allowing them to remove multiple layers of cancer with a clear view of the borders. Each layer is carefully mapped with a special dye that the Mohs surgeon uses to pinpoint the exact location of the cancer.

The Advantages of Mohs Surgery

Complete mapping and examination of the margins of the cancer are what make Mohs surgery so effective. With tradition surgical procedures, there is more guesswork, which means there is also a greater chance of leaving cancer cells behind. If any cancer cells are left behind, there is the risk that the cancer will regrow.

Because of the microscopic nature of Mohs surgery, it is easier to tell if all of the cancerous area has been removed. The surgeon is also able to examine tissue layers without having to re-excise the entire area. And because of the microscopic examination of the margins, the surgeon is better able to remove only the cancerous areas, preserving as much normal, healthy skin as possible.

Mohs surgery can usually be performed within several hours, and if there is an onsite lab, examination of the tissue can take place at the same location. While a sample of tissue is being examined, the patient’s wound is temporarily dressed. Once lab results are obtained, the surgery can proceed. Of course, after surgery, periodic visits to the dermatologist are recommended in order to track progress and identify any possible recurrences of cancer as soon as possible.

A dermatologist who performs Mohs surgery has at least one year of additional training, so they are experts in all aspects of this technique. The precision of Mohs surgery has given it a cure rate of 99 percent for most types of skin cancer. This is quite a bit higher than traditional cancer removal techniques.  

The higher success rate involved in Mohs surgery means fewer procedures down the road, which saves the patient a lot of time in the long run. By removing more of the cancer cells and preserving more of the patient’s natural skin, Mohs surgery will give the patient a better long term result in treating and eliminating skin cancer.

At Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology, our fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon – Dr. David Adams – has completed extensive training in order to bring this treatment to skin cancer patients who visit our dermatology clinic.  For more information about skin cancer surgery, call our office for your dermatology consultation. 

Welcome to our blog!

We're excited to announce the official launch of our Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology blog.

We'll be posting helpful skin care tips, news from the dermatology industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in cosmetic and medical dermatology.

We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our current and future patients.

If you would like to stay up-to-date on the latest from Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology, simply click the RSS “Subscribe to feed” link located on our website and subscribe. Our subscribers will be updated when we make a new blog post.