What is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It often manifests as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts and can appear on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. While it’s most prevalent among teenagers, acne can affect people of all ages.
What Causes Acne?
Several factors contribute to the development of acne, including:
- Excess oil production
- Clogged hair follicles
- Bacteria (particularly Propionibacterium acnes)
- Hormonal changes (common during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy)
- Certain medications or cosmetics
- Genetics
- Understanding these triggers can help in effectively managing and preventing acne breakouts.
Types of Acne:
Acne can manifest in various forms, including:
- Whiteheads: Closed plugged pores.
- Blackheads: Open plugged pores with a blackened surface.
- Papules: Small, red, tender bumps.
- Pustules: Pimples filled with pus.
- Nodules: Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface.
- Cysts: Deep, painful, pus-filled lumps that can cause scarring.
Acne Treatment Options:
Facials:
Regular monthly facials such as derma plane or microdermabrasion/hydro dermabrasion can help to remove dead and older skin cells, which reduces the risk of clogging the pores.
Laser/Intense Pulsed Light
Laser and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments have been shown to reduce acne (7). These treatments are safe and can be effective for acne. I frequently recommend these treatments for persistent acne.
LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy is an easy way to improve acne. There is no significant risk and the procedure is painless. I typically recommend LED therapy in conjunction with other treatments. We frequently use LED as an additional treatment during facials. LED therapy has been shown to reduce acne lesions but often takes several sessions to see improvement.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are frequently used to exfoliate the skin to a deeper level than a microdermabrasion or other type of facial. Chemical peels can improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, even out skin tone, and address concerns such as acne and hyperpigmentation. They come in various strengths, from superficial to deep, and can be customized to suit individual skin types and concerns.