Acne Treatment
Acne is a common, chronic skin disorder affecting most teens to some extent, and adults as well. It is caused by several factors, including clogging of hair follicles, excess oil production, bacteria and hormones. Comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts can occur on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and back. Acne can be disfiguring and emotionally upsetting. Since it can cause permanent scarring, acne should be treated early. Acne is not caused by foods, but if certain foods aggravate it, they should be avoided. Acne is not contagious.
With today's technology, there's no reason to accept pimples on your face or on any other part of your body. Acne can be resolved completely or improved dramatically with available treatments usable by anyone at any age under most circumstances. The goals of acne therapy are to eliminate painful cysts, improve appearance and self-image, and prevent scarring.
In the past, treatments for moderate acne included topical antibacterials and antibiotics, oral antibiotics, Retin-A™, Accutane™, astringents and exfoliants.
New Treatment Option: ClearLight™ Acne Therapy
The ClearLight™ Acne therapy is a new light-based system for the treatment of inflamed, mild to moderate acne blemishes. It involves a short, painless treatment regimen that destroys acne-causing bacteria within the skin while having no effect on the normal skin. Applied in eight treatments over a four-week period, most patients see a dramatic decrease in the number and severity of acne blemishes and lesions; some report significant improvements after only two or three sessions. During treatment sessions, which last approximately 15 minutes, the patient lies comfortably while the therapeutic light is applied. The treatments are easy, relaxing, painless and safe. There are no side effects and patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
New Treatment Option: Blue Light Acne Treatment
Blue Light is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses a visible, 400 nanometer light source to treat bacteria associated with acne vulgaris. This light is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate acne and can be administered alone or in combination with topical application of aminolevulinic acid ( ALA ), or Levulan. Combination treatment with ALA may enhance the Blue Light's effectiveness in reducing the number of papules and pustules associated with acne.
What Are The Main Benefits of Blue Light Acne Phototherapy?
The benefits of the procedure over dermabrasion, acid peels, and laser peels include:
- Little pain or discomfort
- No recuperative period
- Minimal, if any, risk
- Treats all skin types
- No anesthesia
- No down time
How Long Does A Treatment Take And How Many Treatments Are Necessary?
If being treated with the Blue Light alone, a series of 8 treatments spaced approximately 2 weeks apart are necessary. Patients receiving Blue Light alone will be placed in front of the Blue Light for 16 minutes per treatment. If combining the Blue Light with ALA , a series of 3 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart are needed. Patients receiving the topical application of ALA with their Blue Light treatment sit with the topically-applied ALA solution for about thirty minutes, and then sit in front of the Blue Light for eight minutes. Whether you have the Blue Light alone or you have the Blue Light in combination with ALA , the number of treatments, length of treatments and intervals between treatments will vary depending on how severe your acne is.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Blue Light therapy is extremely safe however, there is a remote change of hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Also, mild stinging or light erythema may persist for approximately one-half hour post-treatment.
New Treatment Option: Zeno
Zeno is a hand-held portable electronic device clinically proven to make pimples disappear fast. It comes with a biocompatible tip that heats to a pre-set temperature and is designed for direct contact with a blemish on the skin. Once in contact with a blemish, the tip will transfer heat into the follicle producing a heat-shock response in p. acnes, the bacteria causing at least 90% of all acne blemishes. Shock proteins activated by bacterial cells under heat stress cause the self-destruction of p. acnes within the lesion, reducing inflammation and allowing the skin to return to a healthy state.
This revolutionary acne-clearing device is now available for sale at our office. It is FDA approved with real results. 90% of blemishes treated improve within 24 hours.