Acne

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and sometimes cysts. Research links acne to rising hormone levels during puberty, causing the oil glands in the skin to become larger and produce more oil. Openings in the skin’s surface become blocked, which allow bacteria to grow and irritate the skin. Acne is not caused by dirt or not washing your face, however it is best to wash daily with a mild soap or cleanser. Acne typically starts at puberty but may begin in 20 – 35 year old females who never had teenage acne.

It is important to treat acne early in order to prevent scarring from these lesions.

Acne Treatments

Control of acne is an ongoing process which usually requires several medicines. A topical or oral medication or possibly a combination of these can be prescribed.

Laser treatments: Due to the growing concern of antibiotic resistance, novel light -based approaches of acne treatment have been developed which may limit the need for oral and topical antibiotic use. These treatments can be safely used even during pregnancy; patients undergo one or more sessions of treatments with yellow/green light combined with heat. The laser light mimics the effect of oral antibiotics – it has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps destroy the bacterium (P. acne) that causes acne.

Glycolic acid, salicylic acid and other chemicals can help unplug skin pores by removing dead cells, as well as whiteheads and blackheads. These treatments also help generate new skin growth.

Microdermabrasion unclogs pores and gently exfoliates dead cells.