Acne Surgery can be helpful if combined with other treatments

Phillip Chang, MD answers: When is acne surgery the best solution to treat acne?

I have tried almost everything to get rid of my severe acne, but nothing seems to work in the long-term, so I am starting to think I need to consider a more drastic solution.  When is surgery an appropriate and effective acne treatment? 

Phillip Chang, MD
3 months ago

Acne surgery for the treatment of acne typically refers to extracting open comedones (blackheads) and lancing closed comedones (whiteheads). It is often used in conjunction with other acne treatments. My patients are usually treated with a combination of options which may include topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide products and/or topical retinoids (Retin-A, etc). If these treatments fail to provide satisfying results, oral retinoids such as Accutane can be used. 

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