An acne lesion (pimple) grows when bacteria, oils and dead skin fill up and inflame pores, the tiny openings in your skin through which oil and sweat rise to the surface. Some 40,000 cells fall off your skin every hour but, sometimes, those dead cells clog up a pore. Sometimes clogged pores are small and result in “whiteheads or blackheads.” Sometimes these pores become inflamed and lead to other types of acne.
A visual examination by a dermatologist is enough to determine a diagnosis. Your dermatologist may also determine how severe your acne scarring is. One measurement system has four grades of acne scarring: macular, mild, moderate and severe. Grade one, macular, is a scar that’s red but flat. Grade two, mild, is a scar that can easily be covered by makeup or facial hair. Grade three, moderate, is “obvious at a social distance.” It is not as easily covered by makeup or facial hair. Finally, grade four, severe, is scarring that is very evident at a social distance greater than 50 centimeters (1.64 feet). It is unlikely that facial hair or makeup will completely cover up these scars.
Yes, minor discomfort during and after treatment is common. Other complications include changes in skin color, either darker or lighter.
Recovery from active acne therapy typically takes between a few days to two weeks, depending on the procedure performed. Most patients experience mild redness or swelling, which resolves within 5 to 7 days. Complete skin improvement may continue for several weeks as healing progresses.
Recovery from active acne therapy typically takes between a few days to two weeks, depending on the procedure performed. Most patients experience mild redness or swelling, which resolves within 5 to 7 days. Complete skin improvement may continue for several weeks as healing progresses.
