Acne
Get Treatment One of the Most Common Skin Conditions in Edina andPlymouth
Acne is a nearly universal experience. While the familiar lesions are most associated with the face, they can appear on any part of the body at any time, and they can have a range of appearances. They can also occur at any age and to different degrees of severity—but there are typically more cases of teenage rather than adult acne. Men, women, and teens dealing with the problem can sometimes easily control mild outbreaks with over-the-counter products, but the condition more commonly requires treatment by a dermatologist.
Whether your acne is chronic or sporadic, mild or severe, visiting Zel Skin & Laser Specialists is a great first step toward achieving clear and smooth skin. Each person is unique, which means the treatment that works for one person may not work for another. Our dermatologists and aestheticians are skilled at assessing your individual skin makeup to develop and recommend a strategy that will work for you, from personal skincare regimens to combination treatments.
Acne Causes
Acne is caused by the overproduction of oil (sebum) in the sebaceous gland and the trapping of dead cells within hair follicles. This can trap bacteria normally found on the skin inside the follicle, which then leads to inflammation. Outbreaks range in severity from superficial, as with non-inflammatory whiteheads and blackheads, to deep, cystic lesions.
Some people may be more prone to breakouts than others. This is due to a combination of genetics, hormones, stress, exercise, and other environmental factors.
Acne Symptoms
Acne lesions consist of blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules. The type of outbreak you experience will depend on a variety of factors. Any number of these lesions can appear all over the body, but the most common locations are the face, chest, and back. They may also appear on the neck, shoulders, upper arms, scalp, and buttocks.
Acne Treatments
Acne treatment options typically fall into the following two traditional categories:
- Topical medications and cleaners, which are used to reduce bacteria, remove dead skin cells, unplug pores, and reduce the presence of oil.
- Oral antibiotics, which are used to reduce bacteria and inflammation. When appropriate, oral medications can also reduce oil production.
Each person requires an individualized acne treatment plan, which will rely on the type of acne you are experiencing, its severity, the duration of the problem, and what will work best for your type of skin. While many over-the-counter treatments advertise overnight results, it will usually take between four and eight weeks to see improvement. In addition to acne medications, some patients may also benefit from acne surgery (excision), chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser treatments.
Combination Treatments
For some people, a single strategy is not sufficient to provide clear skin. These patients benefit more from combination treatments, which pair traditional medications with light, chemical, or collagen-inducing strategies.
Combination treatments are especially effective for patients who have a mix of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and pimples or other inflammatory lesions. Retinoids, for example, can unclog pores while antibiotics work to address inflammation. When the lesions clear up, patients can cut back to just a topical retinoid to keep their pores open and reduce the chance of future breakouts.
Similarly, medications such as Accutane can work to reduce oil production in the skin, followed by Fraxel or other laser treatments to encourage healing. The timing of specific treatments is critical to maximizing results and minimizing side effects, so it is especially important to discuss long-term skincare goals during the consultation.
With a plan custom-tailored to produce results, many acne patients find that they can enjoy clear skin and avoid long-lasting, severe breakouts that have the potential to cause significant damage to the skin.
Acne Scars
Some forms of severe lesions—including cystic and nodular acne—extend deep enough into the skin that they can leave behind acne scars. These scars may be raised, pitted, and/or discolored, but most types respond well to treatment. Collagen induction therapy and resurfacing can both work to reduce the appearance of certain marks.
If you’re interested in addressing scars, or in treating acne in a way that will limit scarring in the first place, a dermatologist is necessary.
*Results may vary per patient. Services vary by location.
Zel Skin & Laser Specialists – Plymouth ★★★★★ on Google5:27pm
Felt COvid safe ... always a great experience working with professionals
Brian brings a unique combination of medical science, clinical expertise, integrity and compassion to his patients. He provides the latest technology available in the field of dermatology but with a personalized touch for each patient. He is highly respected by his colleagues throughout the country for his expertise and sincerity.
Everyone I have met at Zel is amazing!
It is rare to find a dermatologist who is as knowledgeable about the many facets of clinical and cosmetic dermatology as Dr. Zelickson. Because of his knowledge and honesty, doctors worldwide know they can depend on his assessment of new therapies, procedures and medical devices. This, in turn, has made him a much sought–after speaker for the plethora of professional medical society meetings and engagements that we have throughout the year. I am honored to know Dr. Zelickson and consider him a friend to the profession.
Dr. Brian Zelickson was one of our initial Thermage investigators and helped us understand the mechanisms of non–invasive skin tightening. He is a renowned expert on how collagen can affect skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.
Dr. Brian Zelickson is one of this country’s leading laser experts. Not only is he unparalleled as a laser surgeon, it is not an exaggeration to state that his superb research helps determine the future of dermatologic laser surgery.
Dr. Zelickson is a highly regarded skin/light expert in our industry. When Candela looks for both medical and scientific advice for new laser applications, we often turn to him for his counsel. The input he provides us always starts with patient safety and satisfaction. We feel fortunate to be able to tap into Brian as an independent resource. The patients who are treated with Candela devices are often the beneficiaries of Brian’s input to us.
Most patients prefer seeing a doctor who is known for a particular specialty or procedure, but all patients want to see the doctor who invented the procedure or therapy. Dr. Brian Zelickson is one of the most respected physicians in the field of cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic medicine. He has lectured around the world and is one of the most sought–after speakers for all major meetings in dermatology.
I would rate Dr. Zelickson's clinic 10 stars!
We have felt honored to have Dr. Brian Zelickson, a world–renowned dermatologist who is distinguished as a high–quality care physician, serving as the investigator evaluating Syneron non–invasive skin tightening technology
I trained with Dr. Zelickson at Mayo Clinic, and I found him to be a very bright and creative dermatologist and scientist. Later, he was our best advisor when we set up our clinic in the Basque Country in Spain. I call him the ‘paparazzi of dermatology.’ His contribution to our speciality is probably among the best of this century.
Tuve la suerte de conocer al Dr. Brian Zelickson en Minneapolis hace muchos anos y desde entonces acudo regularmente a compartir sus conocimientos. Es un científico honrado, brillante, creativo e innovador. Nunca deja de sorprenderte agradablemente.
Dr. Zelickson is a very well–respected dermatologist, not only in the U.S., but also in Europe. He is famous for being the author of relevant dermatological studies published in many prestigious medical journals and for the improvements he’s made on minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that are being used by dermatologists all over the world.
Our view from Europe of Dr. Brian Zelickson is that he is one of the leading four or five U.S. laser dermatologists. His research contributions, his superb lectures and his expert knowledge of laser skin surgery make him a valued friend, colleague and guest.
Dr. Brian Zelickson is one of the world’s leaders in cutaneous laser surgery. He has performed groundbreaking research over the past decade, advancing the field as well as expertly providing the most up–to–date laser treatments for his patients.
Brian Zelickson is a world–renowned laser expert who helps develop the lasers and treatment parameters used by the rest of the world. He is where others turn to learn the latest techniques in laser surgery. If you want the best treatment available, delivering the best results in the safest environment available, there is no need to look anywhere else.
I have met many laser experts in my 20 years of teaching, lecturing and running a busy practice. There is no one who I respect more than Brian. If I have a clinical question or research idea, Brian is one of the few individuals I call, as I know I can count on his intellect, integrity and common sense.
Dr. Zelickson is one of America’s most knowledgeable laser experts. He has done pioneering work with many of the laser and light–based technologies developed in the world over the last 10 years. He is a giant in the field.
Dr. Zelickson is one of the world’s leaders in the field of lasers for the treatment of the skin. His many years experience in treating thousands of patients with lasers and other medical devices makes him one of the most sought–after doctors in this field. Innovation and caring are his trademarks.