ReNew Institute Medical Spa

What Is The Cause of Your Acne Blemishes?

For this answer we must look to the skin itself.

As you may already know, our skin contains tiny microscopic holes called pores, the largest of which are on our face, back, chest and shoulders. These pores are our skin's opening to the outside world and allow our body to "breathe" if you will, releasing impurities and waste products.

One of the structures located deep within each pore is an oil-producing gland known as the sebaceous gland, which lubricates the skin keeping it soft and moist. Under normal circumstances, sebum, the oily substance made by this skin gland, travels up and out to the skin's surface. This oil production and subsequent release is part of a normal cycle occurring regularly throughout the day.

The problem arises when certain genetic factors, such as increased hormone production for example (as occurs during puberty), causes this oil-producing process to go into overdrive, leading to an over-production of oil. Since the body can't keep up with this excessive oil production, it tends to accumulate and combine with dead skin cells located on the skin's surface to clog the pores.

Since the bacteria that are normally located on the surface of our skin feed on skin oil, the clogged pore with its trapped oil now becomes a feeding medium for them. As they eat the oils, they multiply and move deeper into the pores, becoming lodged underneath the skin's surface. This triggers an immune response by your body.

When a Blocked Pore Becomes Infected With Bacteria, This Battle Beneath the Surface of the Skin Leads to What Is Called a Pimple. (Acne)

If a pore that is clogged with oil, dead skin, and bacteria is closed off by the body's immune response, and then proceeds to bulge out, you have what is known as a whitehead.

If a clogged pore stays open, the top portion may darken when it is exposed to the air, leaving you with a blackhead.

In some cases, the sebaceous or oil-producing gland itself can become infected, forming what is known as a cyst deep beneath the skin's surface. These acne cysts can rupture, spreading the infection into nearby skin tissue and often lead to those acne scars.

It is the over-activity of the oil glands or excessive oil production, if you will, that is the main source or cause of acne!

There are several options traditionally available to clear and control acne. The two main categories are professional in-office treatments and over the counter home care products:

Acne Fighting Function	Prescription Medications	Over the Counter
Decrease oil production	Accutane, Retinoids such as Retin A	Retinols
Kill the bacteria	Oral Antibiotics such as tetracycline, Topical antibiotics such as Clindamycin or Erythromycin	Benzoyl Peroxide, Azelaic Acid
Expel clogged pores	Retinoid such as Retin A
Control hormones	Birth control pills	Retinols, AHA/BHS Azelaic Acid
Reduce inflammation	Topical Antibiotics such as Clindamycin or Erythromycin	Ibuprofen, Salicylic Acid

The importance of a good skin care regimen cannot be overstated. At The Renew Institute our licensed aestheticians can recommend a medical grade cosmetic for acne.At The ReNew Institute, professional in office treatments have the advantage of penetrating the deeper layers of the skin where the excess sebum production and bacteria occur. Examples include: microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser facials, ALA photodynamic therapy and red/blue light LED therapies.

Finally, there is an answer

Laser Acne Therapy

This non-surgical acne treatment, known as Laser Acne Therapy, works by the use of laser-emitting beams of invisible light which pulsate through the layers of the skin and are absorbed by the oil-producing sebaceous glands themselves.

Here the light is converted to a gentle heat, a process comparable to what happens inside a car that has been sitting in the sun. As the sun shines in, the light is absorbed by the interior structures such as the seats, steering wheel and dashboard. The light is then converted to heat, making them warm to the touch.

This process is similar to what happens within the oil-producing glands of the treated area; the invisible light is converted to heat, temporarily disabling and reducing the size of the glands that cause the acne. Thanks to recent advances in laser technology, this is possible without affecting the surrounding skin.

Additionally, the thermal effect produced by this process also kills the bacteria found within the clogged pores while decreasing the oil production at its source, which can substantially reduce the number of acne blemishes. This process can be achieved by applying a substance, ALA, to the skin prior to your acne treatment. This process is called Photo Dynamic Therapy. Ask us if Photo Dynamic Therapy may be right for you.

Furthermore, since the treatments can be specifically administered to the affected areas only, the skin maintains its overall moisture, thereby preventing the dryness and subsequent increased oil production that often occurs with topical acne skin care treatments.

This Laser Treatment Can Also Stimulate New Collagen Formation, Thus Healing Acne Scars As Well.

So, aside from treating your acne, this affordable medical procedure can also help reduce your acne scars as well.

Laser Acne Therapy achieves this by penetrating the dermal layer of the skin and producing new dermal collagen to elevate the depression. In a short period of time, as this new collagen begins to build up, the appearance of the scar will lessen and fade with time.

Two other complimentary options for acne treatment are: chemical peels and microdermabrasion.We offer both at The ReNew Institute.

Common Questions I Get Regarding Laser Acne Therapy...

Q. Who Can Be Treated With Laser Acne Therapy?

A. This proven medical procedure can help both adolescent and adult acne and acne scars. It also can be used to treat both men and women with all skin types and colors. However, pregnant women and people with photo sensitivities should consult with their physician first.

To learn more about Laser Acne Therapy and to better determine if this acne solution is right for you, please call today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Q. Do I Need To Prepare My Skin Before Having Laser Acne Therapy?

A. Yes. The area to be treated should be cleaned with a gentle soap, then rinsed with water and dried. Women should remove their makeup before treatment sessions, and should only wear oil-free make-up between appointments. Make-up can be re-applied immediately after the treatment session is finished.

Q. How Long Is Each Treatment and How Many Are Necessary?

A. Each treatment takes approximately 15-20 minutes to perform and the number of treatments needed varying, depending on the severity of your acne or acne scars. On average though, acne treatment required 4-5 sessions administered two weeks apart, with acne scar correction requiring a series of approximately the same number of visits but given 4 weeks apart.

With each treatment, a reduction in the number of blemishes and an improvement of the appearance of your scars should occur. Once your acne is significantly improved or clears, periodic treatment is recommended to keep the acne from re-appearing. Acne scar maintenance treatments are recommended once every 6 months.

Remember that your acne or acne scars took time to appear; similarly, your body's ability to resolve the problem takes time as well. Therefore, treatments that promise 'fast' or 'overnight' results are misleading and often put there to capture the attention of acne sufferers hoping for a quick resolution to their problem. However, the fact remains that acne and acne scars do not clear overnight.

Q. Are The Treatments Painful and Are There Any Side Effects?

A. Laser Acne Therapy is usually not painful and does not require anesthesia. Some patients may experience a slight burning or tingling sensation at the individual laser treatment sites, lasting only a few seconds. For people with extremely sensitive skin, a topical anesthetic can be used over the treatment area before the actual laser treatments are administered. There are no known side effects.

Q. Is The Treatment Permanent?

A. Unfortunately, as of yet, there is no "cure" for acne. The reason is we cannot change our genetics or completely remove the oil from our skin (and if we could we wouldn't want to because of its many important functions). However, Laser Acne Therapy, the first FDA approved drugless treatment for acne, is a step in the right direction. Laser therapy effectively clears 70%-90% of moderate inflammatory acne in four to six weeks. Results are especially impressive when compared with conventional treatments, such as topical creams and oral antibiotics. Since the treatment can now address the cause of your acne at its source, outbreaks can effectively be controlled for approximately 4-8 months; after that only occasional touch-ups may be necessary.

Q. What Can I Do To Help Prevent New Acne Formation?

A. Although Laser Acne Therapy treats acne at the source leaving you with clearer looking skin, there are still some things you should do to assist your body with the healing process and promote healthy skin. They are as follows:

Wash your face two times a day and as soon as possible after you exercise, with a gentle soap. Since bacteria can grow on a damp washcloth, it is important to use a fresh one everyday.
To help control bacteria transfer, wash your hands more frequently and avoid putting your fingers and hands to your face unnecessarily. Additionally, avoid resting your face on your hands while you read, study, or watch TV.
Although greasy foods or chocolate do not cause acne, if a certain food produces an allergic acne reaction avoid them.
Since stress can decrease our body's immune response and slow down healing, practice stress-reduction strategies such as exercise and meditation.
Avoid getting sunburned.
Eat right and get plenty of sleep - proper diet and rest will keep your immune system strong to fight acne-forming bacteria.
Don't squeeze or scratch your skin pimples; this can lead to scar formation.

Remember, although these measures are the best defense against the spread or development of new acne they still cannot alter the cause, nor can you change your genetics. Therefore, as time passes, you may find that you need "touch-ups" if new acne surfaces.

Q. Are There Other Procedures To Help My Acne?

A. Yes, Medical Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, combined with a few medical grade products. These are supplementary, showing great additive effects.

Blue Light LED (Light Emitting Diodos) Technology can also complement your acne therapy. They are not as powerful as laser but are based upon light based therapy.

BLUE Light - the new way to treat moderate acne

Our doctor may say treatments previously mentioned are not right for your acne. BLUE Light PhotoDynamic Therapy is now FDA-approved for the treatment of moderate acne and may be the treatment for you.

How Does BLUE Light work?

The BLUE Light PhotoDynamic Therapy kills the P. acne bacteria in your skin. The BLUE Light can be administered alone or in conjunction with a topical application of ALA, or Levulan® ( aminolevulinic acid), for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Studies show that BLUE Light provides treatment for both active lesions and other inactive sebaceous glands that are not creating active lesions. Pretreatment with topical ALA may offer additional reduction of lesions, pustales, and papules.

What are the treatments like?

Patients receiving BLUE Light only will simply sit in front of the BLUE Light delivery system for about sixteen minutes. Treatments are spaced at weekly intervals. The number of your treatments, your treatment time and your treatment interval may vary with the severity of your acne.

Patients receiving the topical application of ALA with their BLUE Light treatment sit with the ALA solution on for about thirty minutes, then sit in front of the BLUE Light delivery system for about eight minutes. Treatments are spaced two weeks apart. The number of your treatments, your treatment time and your treatment intervals may vary with the severity of your acne.

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