The Sun Won't Get Rid of Your Acne — But We Can

What if you could wake up each morning, look in the mirror, and love the skin you see? 

That feels like a far-off fantasy for people who struggle with acne. Whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples can really mess with your self-esteem and even interfere with your social or romantic life. 

Luckily, professionals like Dr. Divina Averilla at Love Your Body Medical Spa can help you get rid of acne and acne scars, so you can love your skin the way you should.

What is acne?

As common as acne is, many people don’t know what acne really is or what causes it. It might be helpful then to have a quick primer on acne before discussing treatment options. 

Acne, medically called acne vulgaris, is a skin condition that develops when your hair follicles (the same thing as pores) get congested. Dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil can clog your hair follicles, which can turn into whiteheads, blackheads, and painful nodules beneath the surface of your skin. 

There are a lot of myths surrounding acne (such as sun tanning to clear up acne), but the truth is that genetics play the largest role, and there is unfortunately no true cure for this frustrating skin condition.

How to get rid of acne

Though you can’t technically “cure” acne, you can successfully treat and manage it. Many people find success with over-the-counter regimens that include a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, and others find success with lifestyle practices, such as eating a healthier diet, getting more sleep (and changing their sheets regularly), and exercising more often. 

More severe cases of acne may require intervention from a professional, though — acne is sometimes a battle you can’t fight on your own. Professional intervention often means following a dermatologist-developed acne treatment plan, but it’s sometimes as simple as starting hormonal birth control. (Evidence shows that hormonal birth control can reduce acne in women.)

Laser treatments for acne

When none of the above work, it may be time to consider laser or light therapy for acne or acne scars. Based on your skin condition, Dr. Averilla uses laser therapy to kill bacteria in and on the skin or to break down scar tissue. 

She uses a handheld laser that emits intense pulsed light (IPL) for optimal results in either case. This type of light therapy is FDA-approved to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, although it might not work for hard nodules beneath the skin. IPL can also reduce the appearance of acne scars when set to a function that promotes collagen and elastin production.

To learn more about acne treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Averilla today. Call our Las Vegas, Nevada, office at 702-342-0028 or request your appointment online. You can also send a message to Dr. Averilla and the team here on the website.