A dermatologist must be the one to conduct these physical treatments. Although some folks consider the self popping of pimples one of the remedies for acne, this is not suggested or advised. Popping pimples may spread bacteria that causes acne to spread. This so called acne home remedy may also result in facial scarring. Dermatologist supervised physical treatments will minimize your risk of complications and will provide you with the best outcome.



Exfoliation-this is the removing of the top layer of your skin either chemically or using abrasion. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are usually used for chemical peels. Chemical peels for acne work by destroying the microscopic layer of the cells of your skin. This procedure unclogs pores and removes dead cell build up. This effect can also be achieved through the use of a liquid scrub or abrasive cloth. You can have glycolic acid treatments every two to four weeks over a six-month period. Salicylic acid treatments are milder however and can be used daily.

Comedo Extraction-acne blackheads and acne whiteheads (comedones) can be removed with sterile instruments by any dermatologist. An anesthetic cream is first applied to the area. Then the comedone is opened up using a surgical instrument. This procedure allows for the removal of plugged skin cells and sebum. This is then followed by applying antibiotic cream. As you have heard before, do not try this at home. We have already learned that picking or squeezing your pimples will cause infection and scarring that may be permanent.

Drainage-cysts can sometimes develop under your skin in the cases of severe acne. Most folks find that these cysts can be painful as well as disfiguring. With folks suffering from smaller cysts, these can be treated with cortisone injections causing the lesions to flatten within a day or two. Folks suffering from larger cysts however may find that they need to be drained as well as surgically removed. By draining these cysts, not only can the pain associated with the cysts be relieved but this also helps to reduce the chance of scarring. The draining of cysts is done in your dermatologist's office using instruments that have been sterilized. Again you must not try to do this on your own as the risk of infection and permanent scarring is high.

Light therapy-light therapy is used sometimes to fight the bacteria causing acne. Light therapy may be useful in treating areas that are hard to reach. However this procedure may only have a short term effect because it does nothing about the production of sebum or the buildup of dead skin cells.

Laser therapy-this procedure can help get rid of acne scars. It is found to be useful for treating the scars left behind by acne. Laser surgery of acne scar is useful and effective for both surface level scarring in addition to deep tissue scarring left behind by serious acne conditions. Currently research is being conducted on the using of lasers for the treatment of acne. Several approaches to laser therapy are being researched:

1) the first approach is investigating burning away the follicle sac in which the hair grows.

2) the second approach is looking at the burning away of the sebum producing gland.

3) the third approach is researching the forming of oxygen in the bacteria in an attempt to kill this bacteria.

However we do not yet know if laser acne treatment will result in permanent damage to your skin.