Acne Surgery

Acne surgery is the surgical extraction of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, milia and pustules that form on the face and body.

What is acne surgery?

Acne surgery is the surgical extraction of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, milia and pustules that form on the face and body. The procedure is generally recommended to teenagers and adults who suffer from mild to moderate acne. In adults, acne forms when the sebaceous glands (the oil glands) produce too much oil for the skin. Dead skin cells can also clog your pores and lead to acne.

How is it performed?

The surgery can be performed by a dermatologist, a physician assistant (PA) or certified esthetician. Sterile tools are used to unclog the pores and remove any excess sebum that has been built up. Sebum is an oily substance that actually protects/lubricates the skin and hair. If you have too little of it, you could end up with dry or cracked skin. Too much sebum, on the other hand, can result in acne, blackheads and whiteheads. In some cases, your skin may be steamed before the surgery to help open up your pores.

Treatments usually last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes and are performed 2-4 weeks apart. Patients will notice clearer skin and a reduction in pore size. Acne surgery can be used in combination with other acne treatments to ensure that the treated area remains healthy and acne-free.

You may notice redness of the skin in the treated areas, but this side effect is temporary. Following the surgery, you will be allowed to apply sunscreen and makeup, but double-check with your doctor first. There is no downtime with acne surgery, so you should be able to return to your normal activities immediately.

Questions or concerns about acne surgery?

At North Coast Family Medical Group, we provide acne surgery and treatments to patients in San Diego County, California. Call (760) 942-0118 or schedule online using our Patient Portal to get help today!

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We're happy to answer any questions you may have, feel free to call us at
(760) 942-0118