New Acne Scar Treatment Filler Available at Clear Clinic
Filling acne scars is a viable option for those looking to improve the look and texture of their acne scars. Dermal fillers, such as Restylane and Juvederm, can be used to temporary improve the texture of atrophic acne scars. These fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, which lasts 6-9 months once injected into the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin’s dermis; once injected into the area of acne scarring, the hyaluronic acid dermal filler binds with water molecules to plump up the treated area. There's a new filler treatment available at Clear Clinic called Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM) that uses growth factors in your own blood, rather than synthetic hyaluronic acid, to help collagen regenerate and stimulate new cell growth, which fills in the pitted areas left behind from acne scars. Injecting your own blood back into your skin may sound scary, but this treatment entails minimal pain and no downtime. The needle used is very tiny. At Clear Clinic, we use the patented SELPYHYL System to prepare the blood for injection. This system uses a unique centrifuge to collect and separate the PRFM out of the blood.What to Expect During Your PRFM Treatment
The entire SELPHYL process takes about 30 minutes. One of our trained skincare professionals will extract the blood from your arm. Your blood is then put into the centrifuge system to extract the "liquid gold," a gel-like substance of PRFM. The liquid gold is then expertly injected into the areas with acne scars on your face. It will take up to three weeks to see the results from your SELPYL PRFM injections. The results can last for years. For more information on SELPHYL and to see if this treatment is right for you, contact one of our patient representatives now.
Spot Removal: No Pain, A Lot of Gain
Acne sure has a way of leaving a lasting impression. Even way after the actual blemish is long gone, it can take weeks and sometimes months or years for that visible brown or red spot left in its place to go away. That spot has a name, it's called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This refers to the discoloration left on the skin after an inflammatory wound has occurred on the skin. The mark is the result of excess melanin production. Luckily post-inflammatory hyerpigmentation is not a true acne scar that leaves a depressed mark on the skin. In fact, most red or brown spots can be covered up with a good makeup concealer. However, there are some great in-office procedures and prescription skin care products that will clear up that spot much quicker than waiting for time to heal all wounds.Laser Genesis to Correct Dark Spots
For those looking for an entry level laser treatment, it doesn't get any better than Laser Genesis. During a Laser Genesis treatment, the skin is gently heated with a 1064nm short-pulsed laser, this does not hurt and in fact can feel relaxing. Laser Genesis is amazing at treating any redness on the skin associated with post-inflammatory hyperigmentation or even rosacea. While results can be seen with one treatment, it's ideal to get a series of five treatments for the best results. Laser Genesis also improves the overall texture and tone of the skin.Topical Dark Spot Correcting Treatments
A topical skin lightening agent that really does work is hydroquinone. We recommend patients use it to get their dark spots reduced and then switch over to a non-hydroquinone product, such as Clear Clinic Laboratories Enlighten Me. Another route to try is with a retinoid product, which accelerates skin cell turnover and helps fight acne as well as clears those brown and red spots.
F.A.S.T. Appears in October Issue of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
We are proud to announce Dr. Schweiger's pioneering F.A.S.T (Focal Acne Scar Treatment) technique is featured in the October 2013 issue of the prestigious dermatology publication Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD). In the article., Dr. Schweiger documents a series of acne scar patients he treated with F.A.S.T., which uses the fractional CO2 laser at higher energy levels, but focuses only on the focal areas of acne scars, while leaving the healthy skin intact. In the study, six patients were treated with F.A.S.T. Dr. Schweiger evaluated the patients post treatment at one and four weeks following the procedure. All patients had significant improvement of 40% - 70% at their four week follow up appointment and patient satisfaction was high. The overall conclusion is that F.A.S.T. offers acne scar patients increased effectiveness and faster healing times with no increased incidence of adverse reactions.Acne scars--especially those of the deep, pitted variety--can seriously impair an otherwise perfect complexion. The aftermath of active acne lesions can sometimes be as much of an eyesore as the acne itself. Those with acne scars understand the frustration of trying to cover them up with makeup or unsuccessful attempts with over the counter skincare products. Dr. Schweiger is thrilled with the results of F.A.S.T. In response to the increased demand of F.A.S.T., Clear Clinic is pleased to offer patients from around the country a unique opportunity to get F.A.S.T. with our Fly in for Clear Skin program.

Oxygen: Your Secret Acne Weapon
For the millions of acne sufferers out there, wouldn't it be nice to find an ingredient that was guaranteed to banish your pimples? While there are indeed several ingredients that are proven to fight and kill the p. acnes bacteria, such as sulfur and salicylic acid it turns out that oxygen--you know, the stuff we breath, is actually a powerful tool when it comes to fighting acne. One of the best acne-fighting ingredients around--benzoyl peroxide--kills acne by introducing oxygen into the pores. The p. acnes bacteria thrives in an anaerobic environment--meaning an area without air. Another reason to keep your pores free of debris, which can seal off the oxygen and make it even easier for acne to exist.In a recent article in Health magazine, Clear Clinic's founding dermatologist Dr. Eric Schweiger was quoted on the skin-clearing benefits of the new oxygen skincare trend. “Acne comes from bacteria, and hydrogen peroxide has antimicrobial properties, so it could help give you clearer skin,” Dr. Schweiger says to the magazine. “And oxygen itself increases circulation and has wound-healing abilities.
So while simply applying a foundation with oxygen as one of its ingredients may not completely clear your skin, it can certainly help. But even more important is making sure whatever skincare products or cosmetics you choose in your regimen do not contain any ingredients that will clog your pores or irritate your skin. For maximum skin-clearing benefits, steer clear of mineral oil, cocoa butter and wheat germ oil. You also don't want any fragrances or dyes, which can irritate the skin. And more important than all else? Making sure you remove your makeup every night!
Men: How to Tackle Back and Body Acne
Being a guy and taking care of your skin don't need to be mutually exclusive. It may sound like a distinctly female trait to pamper and care for your skin, but more and more men are getting in on the beauty game and with good reason when it comes to back and body acne. Just a little bit of maintenance goes a long way in terms of acne care. The key is knowing what to do and how to do it.Fighting Back and Body Acne at the Gym If working out is part of your daily routine, then chances are you're no stranger to pimples on your chest and back area. Always embarrassing and often painful, these inflamed cysts on your back and body can be treated and avoided if you cleanser thoroughly after your workout. We don't mean when you get home, we mean at the gym. Toss a body cleanser with 10% benzoyl peroxide in your gym bag and wash your entire back and chest with it. If you need to bring a brush with you to reach those hard-to-get-to places on your back, then do it. Make sure you dry off with a clean towel, not a dirty one that's been sitting in your duffel for a week. The acne bacteria likes to linger on fabrics and towels are their ideal breeding grounds. After you've toweled off, swipe your back and chest with a medicated treatment pad containing salicylic and glycolic acid to help say so long to dead skin cells, deep clean the pores and give your skin a nice, clean and glowing finish.
Book an Appointment For a Back Acne Treatment In-office acne treatments are not just for the face. In fact, many of them work just as well at ridding of body and back acne (aka bacne) as they do as treating pimples on the face. The best in-office procedures for back and body acne are the Isolaz laser, which uses a combination of vacuum like suction to clean the pores and blue light to kill the P. acnes bacteria. Another way to tackle stubborn back and body pimples are with medical extractions, which are not your typical spa extractions. At the hands of a medical professional, your skin is cleansed, steamed and then the extractions begin--all done with medical-grade tools and products. During swimsuit season, if you have an angry red pimple that's starting to form on your back or chest, book an appointment asap for a cortisone injection and said zit will never fully come to the surface.
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