ACNE TREATMENT :

BLUE LIGHT AND LASER RESURFACING

Acne is a very common problem, affecting over 95% of the population at some time in one's life and for many, it is a chronic problem. Acne is more common during adolescence because hormonal changes stimulate the sebaceous glands (oil glands) into producing more sebum (oil), plugging hair follicles, which sets the stage for acne.

A type of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes thrives in the clogged follicles. When the bacteria and pus leak from the follicle into the surrounding tissue, an inflammatory process begins and “pimples” are formed. In some cases, the inflammation continues, and large, painful cysts develop. Cystic acne can be disfiguring, and as a result, patients often suffer emotional and self-esteem issues. In adolescents, who may often be moody and brooding anyway, cystic acne is devastating. While most people outgrow acne in their late teens or early twenties, many continue to be affected much longer. Aggravation of acne in later life may occur with menstrual periods, use of birth control pills, use of oil-based cosmetics, and stress. If untreated, or even if partially treated, acne can cause permanent, unsightly scars. Even a mild case of adolescent acne can leave permanent scars throughout adulthood.

Traditionally, treating acne meant using over-the-counter preparations containing benzoyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid. If this didn’t work, you’d go to the dermatologist and get Retin-A, which can be very irritating and of varying effectiveness. Then, oral antibiotics would be tried. Long-term treatment was usually necessary, and often was not completely curative – and there was always the problem of antibiotic resistance. If none of the above were successful, the dermatologist would bring out the “big gun” – Accutane. Accutane often cured cystic acne, but the side effects could be severe: liver toxicity, birth defects, and even depression and suicide. Many treatments for acne cause severe drying and irritation of the skin for many patients. In addition, none of these treatments could prevent acne scars, or treat them once they appeared.

Because of all of these concerns, traditional methods of treating acne are gradually shifting from an emphasis on medication to light-based or laser therapies.

Laser treatment of acne and acne scars has truly revolutionized the practice of dermatology. It has produced dramatic clearance of even severe cystic acne, and effectively minimizes acne scars.

Am I A Candidate for Acne and Acne Scar Treatment?

Anyone interested in improving their acne or acne scars and enhancing their complexion can be a candidate.

What Does Acne or Acne Scar Treatment Involve?

Recent advances in device-based acne and acne scar treatments include:

High Intensity blue-light or photodynamic therapy,is designed specifically to kill the bacteria responsible for acne vulgaris and shrink the oil glands. This treatment also helps with acne scars. Acne treatment using Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is the most recent advance in acne therapy. Photodynamic acne treatment involves the application of a photosensitizing agent which is then activated with blue light. This results in significant improvement in moderate to severe cystic acne.

Photodynamic acne treatment involves three mechanisms of action against acne. Photodynamic acne treatment inactivates the bacteria that trigger acne, exfoliates the skin to unclog pores, and - perhaps most significantly - shuts down the sebaceous glands in the skin. This is exciting because sebaceous glands are the root cause in the formation of acne so it has a long lasting effect even on severe acne. Photodynamic acne therapy can even work in patients who have failed Accutane treatment. Accutane also targets the sebaceous gland but undesirable side effects. Photodynamic therapy is a very safe alternative to Accutane treatment. Photodynamic acne therapy can also significantly with acne scarring.

Some patients might need Laser Resurfacing to gently vaporize the damaged or acne-scarred skin to reveal the smooth, fresh skin underneath. Scars are removed in a precise, rapid, bloodless fashion achieving excellent results. Laser scar removal can be performed with local anesthesia if limited areas are treated, while full face resurfacing is usually performed with the administration of intravenous sedation. Both procedures may be performed in our office. Laser resurfacing has essentially replaced dermabrasion as it is a much more precise procedure and is essentially bloodless.