Being a teenager can be tough. Between school, sports, part-time jobs, and friends, teens already have a lot to juggle. On top of that, their bodies are changing in new ways. One of the most common challenges during this stage is acne. When you hit puberty, the excess hormones you create can cause your sebum glands to work overtime, and pores and hair follicles can become blocked by oil and dirt. Pimples form when these pores get infected.
Our patient Michael is no stranger to this. When he came into the Dr. U Skin and Hair Clinic, his face was covered in cystic acne. His sensitive skin was red and inflamed, and healed zits had unfortunately left dark marks and pitted scars. While many teens respond to topical or oral treatments, others, like Michael, didn’t feel comfortable pursuing treatments like oral drugs, specifically Isotretinoin or Accutane. His parents wanted to find an alternative to this common treatment for severe acne, so they visited Dr. Sanusi Umar, a board-certified dermatologist, and together, they came up with a game plan to tackle his acne once and for all.
Watch our YouTube Short to see Michael’s transformation:
Michael’s Acne Treatment Plan
Because Michael was balancing school and extracurricular activities, downtime was a major concern. He wanted to be able to visit the clinic, complete his session, and be free to work, study, or socialize right after. Dr. Umar took his lifestyle into account when he created a treatment plan that would work for him. His goal was to make sure Michael didn’t feel too much pain from the procedure, was able to be out-and-about the moment he stepped out of the clinic, and, of course, address the acne and bring Michael towards smoother, clearer skin.
Michael underwent Fraxel Dual Laser and Vbeam laser to dramatically improve his acne breakouts and scarring.
He ultimately recommended phytodynamic therapy, which consisted of:
- Fraxel Dual Laser, which targets both the superficial and deeper layers of the skin to improve texture, reduce dark spots, and smooth acne scars.
- Vbeam Laser, which uses precise pulses of light to calm redness, shrink inflamed acne lesions, and fade scarring.
Getting His Skin and Confidence Back
Each session had Michael getting closer and closer to his skin goals. While he did have some side effects like temporary redness and minimal swelling, the final results exceeded his expectations. He no longer had painful, swollen bumps, pus-filled zits, and deep, pitted scars. He had fewer active breakouts and less redness. The laser treatments had helped make his skin significantly smoother, and it was all worth the transformation he had both inside and out. He felt a lot more confident, and he felt like this was the first step in laying the foundation of a successful future.
Laser Treatment Options for Hormonal Acne
Oral medications like Isotretinoin aren’t the only answer to severe acne breakouts. Laser treatments can effectively address aggressive hormonal acne. Breakouts can wreak havoc on one’s confidence, and this can be debilitating at any stage in life, but especially when you’re still a teenager. Michael’s story is just one example of how he regained his confidence through Dr. Umar’s recommended laser treatment plan. If you’re ready to take the first step in your anti-acne journey, complete our free online consultation form to be reviewed by Dr. Umar to learn about your options.
Individual results may vary. This story reflects one patient’s personal experience with skin photodynamic treatments with Dr. Umar. Consult with a qualified physician for personalized advice.