Treating Post-Pimple Redness
Once a pimple has resolved, it would be nice to forget about it completely. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, as residual redness (called post-inflammatory erythema) tends to stick around after acne clears.
Here are options for treating post-pimple redness:
- KTP laser: the KTP laser is a vascular laser, used to remove redness from the skin. Its energy is absorbed in the red blood cells of the skin and it breaks up the superficial collections of vessels that lead to the appearance of red marks on the skin. The KTP laser is also used to treat rosacea, blood vessels, and brown spots.
- Laser Genesis: the Laser Genesis uses a unique type of laser to decrease the appearance of red on the skin. The painless treatment also improves the texture of the skin and shrinks pores.
- Photofacial: IPL photofacials also remove excess redness from the skin. A series of treatments will improve post-pimple redness, without any downtime.
- Isolaz acne treatment: the Isolaz acne treatment uses a broad spectrum light to kill the acne-causing bacteria, but this broad spectrum light also decreases the red marks on the skin.
- Topical medications: Topical prescription medications, like retinoids and azeleic acid, can produce a small improvement in post-pimple redness. The improvement is not as dramatic as any of the laser treatments, but provides a good option for those patients who are unable to make it into the office for treatment.
Many in-office laser and light treatments prevent post-pimple redness as they fight acne. Treatments light the Isolaz and Photofacials can be performed for the treatment of active acne, but will simultaneously prevent redness on the skin from forming and treat post-pimple redness that is already present on the skin.
Click here to learn more about treating post-pimple redness.
