Acne vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is one of the most frequently treated illnesses in dermatology practices. The treatment is usually lengthy and sometimes associated with substantial side effects. Young people affected usually suffer severely from this. Acne is primarily an illness of the sebaceous gland follicles, which are located predominantly on the face, back and chest. At first, they create non-inflammatory blackheads, but later a series of inflammatory lesions such as papules, pustules and lumps can also develop. Acne vulgaris or “common acne” is caused by increased androgen levels during puberty and subsides when the patient enters their thirties at the latest.
Acne inversa
A less common and more severe disease is acne inversa. It is an illness of skin appendages that starts in the sebaceous glands and has a secondary effect on the apocrine perspiratory glands. Areas particularly susceptible including axilla and the groin-pubic region, up to and including the gluteal region. It affects the back and stomach less frequently and very rarely affects otherwise typical acne regions, such as the face.
About Your Free Consultation
Firstly we will assess your skin carefully and ask you a range of questions to discover your previous history. If you are taking any medications or have done in the past we would ask you to bring the name of them along, as some medications can contra-indicate certain treatments.
Previous history with regards to acne is very important in establishing the best plan of action. In some severe cases of acne your practitioner may feel it necessary to refer you to a Consultant dermatologist.
Treatments
Laser treatment using a diode laser such as the MeDioStar NeXT Family offers effective reduction in acne. Similar to hair removal, the infrared radiation of the laser penetrates deep enough into the skin to reach the sebaceous gland follicles. Porphyrin-forming bacteria and fungi considered to be local causes of acne are destroyed in this procedure.
The light destroys the bacteria that live in the skin and cause acne and leads to the shrinkage of the inflamed sebaceous glands. The pustules begin to clear. The skin condition will improve after a series of treatments.
In order to obtain maximum results in diminishing acne we may offer a combination of both treatments.
This will depend on an individual client basis on suitability for each treatment.
The treatments will be simultaneously performed using two week intervals, depending on acne severity and client tolerance.
When perfoming any treatment for acne the patient must understand it is a case of managing the acne, we can not ever say acne can be cured.
After the treatment, any heat to the skin must be avoided for 48 hours i.e saunas, hot baths or showers.
It is advisable when undergoing any kind of treatment SPF is worn regardless of weather conditions.
There is constantly UVA and UVB rays penetrating our skin, come rain or shine.
When undergoing any skin peels or laser treatment it is paramount that homecare products are used.
This will prepare the skin for treatment and balance the PH level within the skin.