Preventing Acne Scars

According to Dr. Obagi, the best way to avoid acne scars is to seek treatment early and stick with the right regimen.

Acne sufferers should never pick or pop a pimple. Picking or popping a blemish is a sure way to develop a scar and aggravate the infection. If you have an unsightly pimple that just has to go, visit a dermatologist. If you have cystic acne, your doctor may inject the cyst with cortisone to minimize inflammation and scarring.

Dr. Obagi has developed an effective treatment regimen - ZO® Skin Health Acne Prevention and Treatment Program—which includes Offects® Exfoliating Cleanser, Offects® Exfoliating Polish, Offects® TE-Pads Acne Pore Treatment, and Bio-Sulfur Masque. The TE-Pads with 2% salicylic acid are particularly useful in controlling oiliness and breakouts. ZO® Medical Cebatrol™ also contains 2% salicylic acid, but formulated with mandelic acid to reduce inflammation, and triclosan to fight the P.acnes bacteria, which is the root of all types of acne.

If you already have acne scars, discuss treatment options with your dermatologist to lessen their appearance. Certain lasers including Fraxel® and a series of chemical peels, for example ZO® 3 Step Peel or ZO® Controlled Depth Peel, can definitely help soften existing acne scarring.

And always remember to wear sunscreen. UV rays can cause blemishes to darken even if they are healed, which means the signs of acne will take longer to fade away.