Acne & Acne Scarring
Acne (acne vulgaris) is a common skin condition affecting both men and women in their teenage years, often through to adulthood.
Commonly, acne is the result of acne-causing bacteria (p. acnes) proliferating in a congested skin follicle. This can occur when hormone levels affect oil (sebum) production in skin and also as skin cell turnover slows down with age – both tend to result in increased skin congestion.
Acne may present as pimples, pustules, cysts, blackheads or indiscriminate red bumps and many acne sufferers also notice prominent oil glands (sebaceous bumps) and oily t- zones. In its active state, acne can be bothersome and impact self-esteem and confidence. The long-term potential for acne-related scarring is a common reason our patients elect to manage active acne.
To control acne, we offer complimentary consultations for teens and adults. We evaluate the baseline presentation, including current interventions such as prescriptions and skincare products, and make recommendations around skin type, lifestyle and degree of acne, seeking to control the active condition and minimize scarring.
Acne Scarring
Though acne is common, acne scarring often results when acne is left untreated. Misconceptions about the causes of acne usually result in ineffective or damaging “treatments”.
Though many people believe acne is caused by heredity, certain foods, dirt, or stress, acne (acne vulgaris) is simply the result of naturally occurring oils (sebum) produced by the sebaceous glands at the base of hair follicles. Though acne can affect people of any age, these glands become more active when we reach puberty. Clogged pores, most often on the face, chest and back, allow a build-up of sebum which then stimulates normally occurring harmless bacteria to multiply and inflame nearby skin cells.
The oil, when just under the surface, appears white; deeper in the skin it turns darker producing a “blackhead”. Still deeper, it forms a nodule or cyst. Once inflammation sets in, these blackheads and whiteheads turn into small red papules or yellowish-white pustules which, if squeezed, allow infection to spread. The deeper cysts, when inflamed, become obvious as large red bumps.
Acne scarring treatments are offered and provided once breakouts are controlled. We provide leading acne scarring treatments including Isolaz® and Fraxel® DUAL laser skin treatments.