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? 

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7 answers to “When is acne surgery the best...”

A: Acne Surgery

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

We do not perform acne surgery but have seen many patients in our acne laser program that have consistently used esthetician based "extractions" to open acne lesions. What we have seen in most cases is that this has worsened their scarring.  We would recommend sticking with more traditional... more

A: Controlling Acne

William J. Hedden, MD

Many patients with acne love the results of Cutera's Laser Genesis, which is mainly known for improving sun-damaged skin. But the added bonus of the laser's heat kills the bacteria in breakouts and dries them up much quicker than healing on their own.  Laser Genesis also reduces the redness from active... more

A: Acne surgery best for clogged pores

Elizabeth F. Rostan, MD

Acne surgery refers to a method to remove clogged pores or blackheads. Usually the top of the blackhead is pierced with a small tipped lancet and then lateral pressure with gauze covered fingers or a small extraction tool is applied to extract the clogged material within the pore. Sometimes this is combined... more

A: acne surgery

Steven Hacker, MD

Unfortunately, acne surgery is not a great solution for "severe acne". Acne surgery basically refers to removal of one acne lesion at a time and does nothing for stopping new acne lesions. Oral medications remain the best alternative for severe acne.

A: Acne surgery for treatment of acne

Ritu Saini, MD

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. If your acne is very active, you may need to have your regimen changed which can consist of topical... more

A: Other Options for Acne Surgery

Nissan Pilest, MD

Acne "surgery" can mean a variety of things. You say you have tried almost everything. I recognize how frustrating controlling acne can be, but you must understand that acne is Controllable instead of Curable. Younger patients frequently will follow an acne program until they get results, then stop.... more

A: Acne surgery is not really "surgery"

Todd Minars, MD

Acne surgery is not really "surgery". The term refers to a procedure where comedones (i.e. blackheads) are opened up and pushed out with an instrument called a comedone extractor. When an esthetician does this during a facial it is called "extractions". If you really have severe acne... more

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