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OC Aesthetics Acne and Acne Scar Treatment programWhat Causes Acne?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. No one factor causes acne. As physicians understand it, acne occurs when oil (sebaceous) glands are stimulated around puberty, When the oil glands( located just beneath the skin) are stimulated by hormones produced in the adrenal glands of both boys and girls, they secret sebum or oil unto the skin The oil lubricates and protects the skin. Under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the openings of the oil glands block the openings. A type of bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes thrives in the clogged follicles. The buildup of oil underneath the skin causes bacteria to multiply causing the surrounding tissues to become inflamed . 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. 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.
Acne Treatments Target CausesEach hair follicle is connected to sebaceous glands. They secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate the hair and skin. Sebum normally travels up along the hair shafts and then out through the opening of the hair follicle onto the surface of your skin. When your body produces an excess amount of sebum and dead skin cells, the two can accumulate in the hair follicle and solidify as a soft plug. As the plug grows, the follicle wall can rupture, allowing more oil and skin cells to accumulate. This is the underlying cause of acne. Bacteria can trigger additional inflammation and infection resulting in complications of acne. Acne treatments usually work by reducing oil production, speeding up the growth of new skin cells and the removal of dead skin cells, or fighting bacterial infection. Some treatments, especially combination therapies, work by doing two or three of these. Laser and Light TherapyTraditionally, treating acne meant using over-the-counter preparations containing weaker strength benzoyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid. If this didn’t work, you’d go to your physician and get Retin-A or an oral antibiotic. 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 physician could use Accutane®. Accutane® often cured cystic acne, but the side effects is of concern to some people because of liver toxicity, birth defects, and even depression and suicide. 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- and light-based therapies reach the deeper layers of skin without harming the skin's surface. Laser systems send energy deep into the dermis (the lower layers of skin) without damaging the epidermis (the upper layer). That energy creates heat and a slight injury, which sends the body into repair mode, encouraging existing collagen (a building block of skin) to contract and become tighter, and stimulating new collagen and elastin (another building block) to be produced. The result of laser energy is cleaner, smoother, plumper, and more youthful-looking skin. Laser treatment is thought to damage the oil (sebaceous) glands, causing them to produce less oil. Light therapy targets Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacterium that causes acne inflammation. These therapies can also improve skin texture and lessen the appearance of scars, so they may be good treatment choices for people with both active acne and acne scars. Several types of laser and light therapies show promise in acne care. These include:
Before & After Photos
Combination TherapiesCombination therapies remain as foundational therapies for our patients in addition to laser light therapy. For example using prescription creams and oral antibiotics, target all the causes of acne, which makes the treatment plan more successful. Several combination therapies have been shown to be effective in controlling acne:
Acne Scar TherapyAcne scars become an aesthetically unappealing as we get older and our skin undergoes photoaging. Acne scars that don’t look that bad when you’re in your teens become worse as we grow older. Scar tissue from acne becomes deeper as the skin ages and loses volume. OC Aesthetics recommends Hyularanic acids or collagen fillers combined with light laser called Pixel® , which heats up the deeper layers of the dermis to stimulate collagen, plumping up the scars to make them less noticeable.
Types of Acne Scars:
Click play to watch video above 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. How many treatments will I need?Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about 2 to 4 weeks apart. Depending upon your condition and schedule, you and your physician may choose to space treatment sessions even further apart. Results are immediate and progressive. Optimal improvement is usually visible in about 2 to 3 months. This time frame and treatment structure allows for complete healing and replacement of damaged tissue with new collagen and elastin, and viable healthy skin cell growth. What are the benefits of Pixel ® Laser Treatments?Since OC Aesthetics Pixel ® treatment program has the impact of ablative lasers but the gentler benefits of the non-ablative treatments, healing time is significantly accelerated so there is minimal downtime. Because the Pixel® Laser penetrates the non-living out layer of skin leaving it completely untreated, make-up can be worn immediately following the procedure. Pixel® laser resurfacing gives your physician precise control as the procedure gently vaporizes 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. What are the risks of Pixel ® Laser Treatments?Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from treatment. If swelling does occur, it is minimal and will subside within a day or two. Redness will occur and then it will fade within a few days. Some discomfort is normal and reflects the healing capacity of the collagen tissues beneath the dermis. This is a good sign. You may use Tylenol for pain. Avoid anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or aspirin because this reduces the inflammatory response and stimulation of collagen that is a desired result of this therapy. You will be able to return to work or your social activity immediately after your procedure. But most patients prefer not to return to routine activities such as work and social obligations on the same day of treatment. Others require a little more time, depending upon their skin condition and treatment. Please consult your physician to understand how Pixel ® Laser Treatment will fit into your schedule. What should I expect after Pixel® Laser Treatment?During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin may feel as though it is sunburned, and it will appear pink or red. Make-up can be worn to reduce the sunburned appearance. Your skin will naturally bronze over the next week or two. As you continue treatment, the sunburned to bronze conditions will repeat. Just like a natural sunburn, your skin will flake and exfoliate normally. Using a moisturizer will help reduce the appearance of dry flakes. What precautions should I take after treatment?Wearing sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher twice a day is especially important. Ask our skin care specialists about our office physician strength products. Absolutely avoid direct sun exposure during the healing process and for at least 3 months after treatment. Wearing wide brimmed hats is highly recommended when out in the elements. Do you use fillers to smooth the skin?Injections with fillers such as Radiesse® are good treatments for shallow and deep acne scars. These fillers can be injected into the area of the scar, smoothing depressions. Results are immediately apparent. Patients usually require touch-up treatments every one to two years. How Long Is The Procedure?Depending on which particular procedure is chosen, treatment time can range from 30 to 60 minutes Keep realistic expectationsRegardless of the treatment you use, be sure to keep realistic expectations. Acne can't be cured, only controlled. You won't start seeing improvements from most treatments for six to eight weeks, and your acne might appear worse before it gets better. But if you stick to your treatment regimen, your patience may pay off with clearer skin.
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