A Personalized Approach Right for You
Acne and Acne Scar Treatment in Honolulu
As anyone with acne or acne scars knows, they can be stubborn and difficult to treat or remove. Acne affects one’s appearance and self-confidence, making eliminating it an important priority. A visit to our multidisciplinary clinic is an essential first step because we can combine medical and cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Susan Tan, MD, the founder and director of Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery, has helped many patients reduce or eliminate the appearance of acne and acne scars. She brings a physician’s medical knowledge of acne’s underlying causes and offers leading-edge cosmetic procedures to improve your skin. Examples of available treatments are chemical peels, lasers, and radiofrequency (RF) microneedling.
Can you eliminate my acne and acne scars?
Patients affected by acne are understandably frustrated, and most have tried various products and procedures to treat it. But they can be hit-or-miss; what works for someone else may do little for you. That’s where Dr. Tan’s expertise comes in, allowing her to personalize your treatment.
The services and procedures we offer at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery are cutting-edge and minimize downtime and discomfort. Our goal is to produce the best results for you with the least disruption to your life and activities possible. If you’re ready to learn more, schedule an initial consultation.
Acne Treatment for Active Outbreaks
If you have an active case of acne, a laser acne peel using the Lutronic Hollywood Spectra™ can be an excellent option. In Dr. Tan’s skilled hands, it offers many benefits without using chemicals while reducing the frequency and severity of breakouts.
- Kills acne-causing bacteria
- Exfoliates and unclogs pores
- Stimulates cell turnover
- Reduces sebum (skin oil) production
- Tightens pores
Laser peels for acne are safe for all skin types and well tolerated. Many patients elect a series of three peels, spaced two to three weeks apart, to produce optimal results before a milestone event like your wedding or prom. You’ll want to leave ample recovery time after the last session to look your best.
Scar Treatment Improves Long-Term Damage
Acne scars can be as upsetting as an active outbreak, and lessening their appearance is a priority for many people. For some people, the scars are raised, while others have sunken areas. If you have acne scarring and need treatment, Dr. Tan has procedures that can produce excellent results.
Get rid of acne scarring permanently with little/no downtime after treatment.
One of the best options is RF (radiofrequency) microneedling with Morpheus8 in Hawaii. It works by heating the skin and shrinking collagen to cause a tightened effect. It also stimulates new collagen growth that will occur over the long term. Together, these benefits can significantly reduce your scars.
Patients appreciate RF microneedling for its excellent results in eliminating acne scars and the minimal downtime after treatment. Dr. Tan will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the areas to be treated, significantly reducing any discomfort. The results are impressive after only three sessions.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is a skin condition caused by hair follicles that become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It most commonly affects people between 12 and 18 years of age who are experiencing hormonal fluctuations, but it can occur in people of other ages. It can appear differently on various skin types.
- Blackheads (uninflamed)
- Pus-filled pimples
- Larger red bumps
Acne is upsetting for many reasons, including its effect on facial appearance. If treated improperly, permanent scarring can result. It’s not always possible to prevent the onset of acne, so it is crucial to understand what to do (and what not to do) when it occurs. Seeing Dr. Tan puts you under the care of a doctor with medical and cosmetic/aesthetic knowledge, both of which are important to optimal care.
Can I Self-Treat My Acne?
If you’re reading this page, chances are you’ve had acne for some time and have tried a few of the many over-the-counter products available. In our experience, they produce good results for some people but don’t do much for others. The procedures we offer have a much higher success rate and produce improvement for everyone.
When you self-treat acne, frustrating as it is, it’s better to leave things alone. You can increase the scarring if you “pop” open a pimple or bump. Various OTC products affect specific skin types differently, so be sure to test the product on a small area first to ensure your skin tolerates it well.
Will Acne Treatments Work for Me?
Our goal is to provide the best acne treatments Honolulu offers, which means success with all skin types. One of the advantages of a laser acne peel with the Lutronic Hollywood Spectra™ is its ability to help virtually all patients, regardless of their skin type. It’s an FDA-cleared cosmetic device with a long-pulse” mode that treats acne effectively.
The other plus is Dr. Tan’s medical knowledge and experience with surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. She has carefully selected the equipment and treatments we offer at Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery and has many satisfied patients who have undergone treatment for their acne and acne scars.
What are the 3 Stages of Acne?
Acne is a chronic skin condition that can affect many people. There are three stages: mild, moderate, and more serious.
- Mild is primarily whiteheads and blackheads,
- Moderate is indicated by multiple papules and pustules on your face.
- Severe is characterized by having numerous large pustules and nodules that are painful and inflamed.
During an initial consultation, Dr. Tan will evaluate your acne or acne scars and give you options for the best course of treatment.
Acne and Acne Scar Treatments from a Honolulu Doctor
Regardless of whether you have an active case of acne treated or need scars removed, Dr. Tan is ready to help with the best acne treatment Honolulu has available. She is the only double board-certified female plastic surgeon in Honolulu and one of Oahu’s best doctors for acne laser peels and RF microneedling for effective scar removal.
You’ll also appreciate Dr. Tan’s caring approach and commitment to patient education. You’ll receive thorough information about all treatments. All decisions remain yours, and you’ll be offered leading-edge procedures that produce excellent results while minimizing discomfort and downtime.
Ready to take the first step to remove your acne or scars?
If you’re ready to look better, today is a great day to call for an initial consultation. You’ll receive a doctor’s careful evaluation of acne or scars and how they can be improved.
Hawaii Facial Plastic Surgery
Susan Tan, MD, Founder and Medical Director
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. 1. Am I a good candidate for an acne laser peel?
A. 1. Nearly everyone is a good candidate. An acne laser peel is safe for people of all skin tones and, unlike other treatments, will not cause hyperpigmentation. People of all ages with any degree of acne are good candidates. If you want the best acne scar treatment Honolulu has to offer, book a consultation with Dr. Susan Tan to start your journey to clear skin.
Q. 2. How is the laser peel performed?
A. 2. The procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Unlike other methods, injections or topical anesthesia are not required.
Q. 3. What kind of results can I expect?
A. 3. After each session, you will see improvements and expect clearer skin that experiences fewer acne breakouts. Any future breakouts will be milder and shorter. After your series of treatments has concluded (typically three), the results will continue to improve.
Acne laser peels are highly effective and provide longer-lasting results. They’re also comfortable for you and don’t require medications such as Accutane®.
Q. 4. How does RF microneedling work for acne scars?
A. 4. The RF Microneedling procedure to treat acne scars is simple and painless. When you arrive, Dr. Tan will apply a topical numbing cream (anesthetic) to the treatment area. Then, she will use the Lutronic Genius™ or Morpheus8 treatment devices to rejuvenate the skin carefully, improving its tone and texture.
After your appointment, you can resume your normal daily activities if you choose. You may experience mild swelling or redness, but it should subside soon after your treatment session.
Q. 5. Why is RF microneedling more effective?
A. 5. Microneedling devices, such as Morpheus8 and Lutronic Genius™, can tailor needle depth to better treat varying levels of acne scars. Traditional microneedling and RF microneedling can effectively treat mild, moderate, and severe acne scarring. But RF is more effective at smoothing the skin, creating a firmer, younger look.