Acne sufferers have long turned to chemical peels, laser resurfacing treatments and light therapy to reduce acne breakouts and treat inflamed skin, but some of these cosmetic procedures offer only marginal results. Still, these facial rejuvenation techniques aren’t the only options for acne-prone skin and other skin conditions.

A non-surgical skin tightening procedure known as Thermage offers another solution for treating acne and clearing up the skin to create a healthy glow.  

If you’re frustrated with over-the-counter facial products and treatments at the medical spa, Thermage may be the treatment you need to achieve clear skin and reduce the frequency of acne breakouts.  

Thermage for Acne – Key Benefits  

Thermage is an innovative treatment that can help improve the appearance and texture of acne-prone skin, boosting healthy cell production and making it easier to manage troubled areas. The most common acne problems include regular breakouts in one specific area, inflammation, blisters and dark scars; all of these skin conditions can be difficult to manage and even the most rigorous skincare regiment can result in acne flare ups and poor skin tone. Maintaining a healthy level of collagen can help reduce the rate that all of these conditions develop.   

Thermage has received FDA approval for the treatment of acne and related conditions, and may also help reduce the appearance of acne scars after an acne cycle.  

Thermage for Acne – How it Works  

Injuring the skin to encourage healthy skin cell development continues to be a solution for many skin problems and anti-aging procedures. Increased collagen production means the skin becomes stronger and more resilient, and this serves as a preventative measure against acne breakouts, wrinkles and overall cell degeneration. The Thermage device emits radio frequency energy into the skin to ‘burn’ the tissue and encourage it to heal, and uses the power of heat to penetrate deep into the skin’s layers. This leads to cell turnover, and can help boost collagen production considerably.  

Acne scars can also be treated with Thermage because cells in the uppermost layer of the skin begin to regenerate and create an entirely fresh new layer. This is often the layer where most stubborn acne scars remain for years and years; microdermabrasion and skin resurfacing treatments offer a few options for acne scar removal, but Thermage can also offer similar results with ongoing treatments. In most cases, Thermage treatments produce visible results within two to six months.  

Handling Scarring from Thermage  

Common side effects of Thermage include inflammation, swelling, blisters and redness that can leave skin looking worse than its initial condition. Since most acne sufferers are already dealing with acne scars and skin discoloration, a Thermage treatment may seem like an additional skin problem. However, healing time and frequent treatments can actually make skin look better – the scarring and redness from Thermage treatments quickly subsides as skin cells begin to regenerate, and the cosmetic dermatologist can provide healing treatments to soothe and soften the skin during the healing process.  

If you’re looking for an effective way to manage acne scars and improve the look and tone of your skin, Thermage offers several benefits. A cosmetic dermatologist in your area can guide you through the process of a Thermage treatment so you can enjoy lasting results after only a few sessions. Learn more about acne scar removal options, or find Thermage in our information guide.