Acne and acne scarringtreatment in Calgary.

When over-the-counter products have not worked after two to three months, when acne is leaving marks or scars, when it is painful or cystic, or when it is affecting how you feel about yourself. Cystic acne should be seen promptly, because it is the type that scars and the treatment that prevents that works best early.

Assessment and medical treatment of acne, including prescriptions and isotretinoin monitoring, is medical dermatology and is generally covered with a referral from your family physician. Prescriptions are covered by most drug plans. Scar treatments such as RF microneedling, laser resurfacing, subcision and fillers are cosmetic and are quoted at the consultation.

For acne care billed to Alberta Health Care, a referral from a physician is the normal route, and it can be faxed to (403) 225-2914. If you do not have a family doctor or would rather not wait, call (403) 286-6888 and the team will tell you the quickest way to be seen. Scar consultations do not require a referral.

Isotretinoin, formerly sold as Accutane, is an oral retinoid that shrinks the oil glands and treats all four causes of acne at once. A four to six month course puts most severe acne into long-term remission. It has real side effects, dry skin and lips most commonly, and it causes birth defects, so it requires strict pregnancy prevention and blood tests. Prescribed and monitored properly, it is the most effective acne treatment there is, and Dr. Kuzel manages the whole course in clinic.

Six to twelve weeks for most prescription treatments to show their full effect, which is why the first follow-up is scheduled at that point rather than earlier. Some treatments make acne look worse in the first few weeks before it improves. Stopping early is the most common reason treatment fails.

Not in the way it is usually blamed. Chocolate and greasy food do not cause acne. High glycemic diets and dairy, particularly skim milk, are associated with worse acne in some people, and whey protein supplements are a recognised trigger. If you notice a pattern, it is worth mentioning. It is rarely the whole answer.

No treatment removes a scar entirely, and any clinic that promises it should be treated with caution. A well-planned course of treatment, matched to the scar types you have, typically improves them by fifty to seventy percent, which for most people is the difference between scars that are the first thing they see in the mirror and scars they have to look for.

It depends on the type of scar, which is why the first step is mapping them. RF microneedling is the most versatile and the safest across all skin tones. Fractional laser gives more change for deeper boxcar scars on lighter skin. Ice picks need TCA CROSS or excision. Rolling scars need subcision. Most people have a mix and are treated with a combination.

Yes, and it is increasingly common, especially in women in their twenties to forties. Adult acne tends to sit along the jawline and chin, flares with the menstrual cycle and is often hormonally driven, so it frequently responds to spironolactone or a suitable contraceptive when standard treatments have not worked. Retinoids remain the foundation.

Yes, with care. Darker skin is more prone to dark marks after inflammation, so acne is treated early and aggressively to prevent them, and scar treatments are chosen to avoid triggering more. RF microneedling is preferred over ablative laser for that reason, and sunscreen is part of every plan.

Dr. Paul Kuzel, MD FRCPC, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder and Medical Director of Rejuvenation Dermatology Calgary South. He sees patients in English and Czech.