Acne

 

Acne

Acne vulgaris is a disorder of the sebaceous gland, that results in plugged pores and outbreaks of lesions (zits, pimples, etc.). Acne is the most common skin disorder: 85% of the population between the ages 12-25 develop some level of acne. Acne typically appears on the face, neck, back, chest & shoulders and can carry a prominent social impact including: a toll on self esteem, relationships and careers; severe acne may result in disfiguring and permanent scarring.

What Causes Acne?

  • Hyper-keratanization – or excess shedding of skin cells into the hair shaft

  • Over production of sebum

  • Blocked pores

  • Oxygen-free environment

  • Propionibacterium becomes active (inflammation)

  • Inflammation breaks through the follicle walls, causing lesions on the skin’s surface

Two Types of Acne

Non-Inflammatory

  • Closed comedon (whitehead) stays under the skin, appears as whitish bump onskinb.

  • Open comedon (blackhead) reaches the skin and opens up.

  • Black discoloration –because of exposed keratin to oxygen

Inflammatory

  • Papules - small inflamed lesions which are pink and tender to the touch.

  • Pustules (pimples or zits) - inflamed, pus-filled lesions.

  • Nodules - large, painful solid lesions deep within the skin.

  • Cysts - deep, inflamed, puss-filled lesions that can cause pain and scarring


Treatment

The treatment of acne uses a combination approach. Implementing a medical grade skin care regime at home, is the first step.

medical grade skin care

  • This is the first line of defense against acne.

  • Focuses on stabilizing sebum production, skin cell turn over, reducing imflammation, and reestablishing healthy skin cell function.

Chemical Peels

  • Removes excess debris from the skin surface

  • Promotes skin cell turn over

  • Helps establish healthy skin barrier.

  • Typically a series of 3 peels, scheduled 3-4 weeks apart yields best results.

  • Best results are achieved when skin is prepared with home care regime.

  • Best results are maintained when coupled with home care regime.

IPL - Intense Pulsed Light

  • Targets and kills the bacteria trapped in the the skin.

  • Requires commitment. Treatments are scheduled 2 times per week for 8-10 weeks.

  • Requires commitment to home care regime to prepare skin and maintain results long term.

Medical grade skin care only.

Environ, Obagi, Jan Marini, Alastin,and SkinMEdica

All available at our offices.