Acne Surgery in
Marietta & East Cobb
Board-certified dermatology care for surgical acne extraction, cyst drainage, and scar-preventing procedures – with expert technique to clear stubborn lesions safely and accelerate healing.
What Is Acne Surgery?
Acne surgery refers to a group of in-office dermatological procedures designed to physically remove or drain acne lesions that are too deep, too stubborn, or too inflamed to respond to topical or oral medications alone. These are precise, targeted interventions performed by board-certified dermatologists under sterile conditions.
Unlike at-home extraction or popping – which can push bacteria deeper, spread infection, and cause permanent scarring – professional acne surgery uses specialized instruments and techniques to clear lesions safely while protecting the surrounding skin and minimizing scar risk.
At DESSNA, acne surgery is never a standalone approach. We integrate surgical procedures into a comprehensive acne management plan that includes medical therapy, prevention strategies, and long-term skin health support – so your skin clears faster and stays clear.
Procedures we perform
Comedone Extraction
Manual removal of blackheads and whiteheads using sterile instruments. Clears clogged pores that resist topical treatment, improving skin texture and preventing progression to inflammatory acne.
Intralesional Corticosteroid Injection
A dilute corticosteroid injected directly into inflamed cysts and nodules. Rapidly reduces swelling, pain, and redness within 24 to 48 hours, preventing the tissue damage that leads to scarring.
Incision & Drainage (I&D)
Controlled surgical drainage of large, fluctuant acne cysts under sterile conditions. Provides immediate relief from painful, pressurized lesions and prevents deeper tissue destruction.
Acne Scar Excision
Surgical removal of deep, ice-pick or boxcar acne scars followed by precise closure. Converts irregular scar tissue into a fine, linear mark that blends with surrounding skin over time.
Why Acne Surgery Is Needed
Not all acne responds to creams and pills. When lesions are too deep, too inflamed, or too resistant to medical therapy, surgical intervention prevents scarring and accelerates healing.
Deep Clogged Pores
When excess sebum and dead skin cells compact deep within a follicle, they form comedones that resist topical treatments. These impactions require physical removal to prevent progression to inflammatory or cystic acne.
Bacterial Infection & Inflammation
C. acnes bacteria trapped in clogged pores trigger an intense immune response, producing painful, swollen nodules and cysts. Without intervention, this inflammation can destroy collagen and cause permanent scarring.
Hormonal & Genetic Factors
Hormonal fluctuations increase sebum production and follicular plugging, while genetic predisposition determines how aggressively your immune system responds to clogged pores – influencing whether acne stays superficial or becomes deep and cystic.
Treatment-Resistant Lesions
Some acne lesions develop a fibrotic capsule or become so deeply impacted that topical and oral medications cannot adequately penetrate. These require direct surgical intervention to resolve and prevent ongoing tissue damage.
How We Perform Acne Surgery at DESSNA
We combine surgical precision with comprehensive acne management – clearing stubborn lesions today while building a plan that keeps your skin clear long-term.
Pre-Surgical Assessment
Your dermatologist evaluates each lesion to determine the most appropriate surgical approach. We assess acne type, depth, inflammation level, and scarring risk. This ensures we select the right procedure for each lesion – extraction for comedones, injection for cysts, or drainage for fluctuant abscesses.
Precise Surgical Intervention
Using sterile instruments under controlled conditions, we perform the targeted procedure – whether comedone extraction, intralesional injection, or incision and drainage. Local anesthesia is used when needed to ensure comfort. Every step is designed to minimize tissue trauma and protect against scarring.
Post-Procedure Care & Integration
After the procedure, we provide detailed wound care instructions and integrate surgical results into your broader acne treatment plan. This includes topical and oral therapies to prevent new lesions, follow-up visits to monitor healing, and scar prevention strategies to maintain clear, smooth skin.
Acne Surgery Options at Our Marietta Practice
Your procedure is selected based on the type of lesion, its depth, location, and whether we are treating active acne or established scarring. Here are the surgical tools we use.
Comedone Extraction
Professional extraction using sterile comedone extractors and fine-gauge needles to remove impacted sebum and keratin from clogged pores. Significantly more effective and safer than at-home attempts, with minimal risk of scarring or infection.
Intralesional Steroid Injection
A dilute corticosteroid (triamcinolone acetonide) injected directly into inflamed acne cysts. Reduces swelling by 50 to 80% within 24 to 48 hours. The single most effective treatment for rapidly resolving individual cystic lesions and preventing scar formation.
Incision & Drainage
Controlled surgical drainage of large, pus-filled acne cysts under local anesthesia. Provides immediate pain relief and prevents deeper tissue destruction. Reserved for lesions that are too large or too pressurized for injection alone.
Chemical Reconstruction (CROSS)
High-concentration trichloroacetic acid (TCA) applied precisely to the base of deep, narrow acne scars. Stimulates collagen remodeling from the bottom up, gradually raising the scar to the level of surrounding skin over multiple sessions.
Punch Excision & Grafting
Surgical removal of individual deep scars using a small circular punch tool, followed by direct closure or skin grafting. Converts deep, irregular scars into fine, flat lines that blend with surrounding skin over time.
Subcision
A needle is inserted beneath the scar to release fibrous bands tethering the skin downward. This allows the depressed scar to rise and stimulates new collagen formation underneath. Often combined with filler or microneedling for optimal results.
Why You Should Never Pop Acne at Home
DIY extraction is one of the most common causes of preventable acne scarring. Here is what can go wrong:
Pushing bacteria further into the dermis
Bacteria spread to adjacent follicles
Uncontrolled trauma damages collagen
Dark marks from inflammatory damage
Cyst wall left behind causes recurrence
Why Professional Acne Surgery Matters
Sterile Technique Prevents Complications
Professional acne surgery uses sterile instruments, proper lighting, and magnification to extract or drain lesions with minimal tissue trauma. This dramatically reduces the risk of infection, scarring, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation compared to at-home attempts.
Targeted Treatment Saves Time
An intralesional steroid injection can resolve a painful cyst in 24 to 48 hours – something that might take weeks of topical treatment or result in scarring if left untreated. For patients with important events or persistent lesions, acne surgery provides the fastest path to clear skin.
If you have deep, painful acne lesions or stubborn comedones that are not responding to your current treatment, a dermatologist can resolve them safely in a single visit – and prevent the scarring that makes acne a long-term problem.
What Our Patients Say
“Doctor Edward Chen is the BEST! He's very professional, very caring, he will always give you his honest advice. He helped my son who had acne issues – his skin now looks great like never before.”
“Dr. Candace Green has a very warm bedside manner and makes you feel very comfortable! Great office, staff, and overall experience.”
“The office is well run and Dr. Green is thorough.”
Acne Surgery FAQs
Answers to the questions our Marietta and East Cobb patients ask most about acne surgery.
Most acne surgery procedures cause minimal discomfort. Comedone extraction may involve brief pressure, while intralesional injections feel like a small pinch. For incision and drainage, we apply local anesthesia so you feel no pain during the procedure. Most patients describe the experience as far less uncomfortable than the acne itself.
Dealing With Stubborn or Painful Acne in Marietta or East Cobb?
Your first step is a consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists. We will evaluate your acne, determine if surgical intervention is appropriate, and build a comprehensive plan to clear your skin and prevent scarring.
Intralesional injections can resolve painful cysts within 24 to 48 hours.
Related Conditions & Services
Explore other surgical and acne-related services we offer at our Marietta practice