ACNE

You don't have to live with it

What is ACNE?
ACNE is a very common skin condition that will affect most people at some time in their life. It causes inflammation of the skin with particular predilection for the pores of the skin. The inflamed skin may become infected resulting in pus-filled spots that are commonly referred to as pimples.

Why do people get ACNE?
Each hair on our bodies has one or more glands which are called sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands produce natural oils which lubricate the hairs as they grow through the skin. If sebaceous glands become blocked or, if they overproduce oils, the hair follicles may become inflamed and cause ACNE. Sebaceous glands may overproduce oils and become blocked due to the effects of hormones or due to products applied to the skin such as cosmetics or sunscreens.

Is ACNE caused by infection?
Occasionally patients may have severe skin infections that can cause ACNE. Pimples are mainly caused by overgrowth of normal skin bacteria. One type of bacteria that is often present in large numbers is called Propionibacterium ACNE. This bacterium is not dangerous, however, it can make ACNE worse. ACNE is not an infectious disease and can not be passed from one individual to another.

Can I control my ACNE by changing my diet?
Foods such as chocolate, dairy products, citrus fruits, fatty foods and soft drinks have all been blamed for causing ACNE. It is worth trying to reduce or eliminate such foods from your diet and increasing your water intake. If the changes in your diet do not improve your ACNE after one month, it is time to try other treatments.

Why treat ACNE? Why not leave it alone?
Because the skin is very visible, ACNE can cause adverse psychological effect, especially in teenagers. ACNE can reduce self-confidence and interfere with inter-personal relationships. Severe forms of ACNE can cause scarring of the face which may become permanent.

Are there different types of ACNE?
When the sebaceous glands become blocked, they are referred to as comedones. The mildest form of ACNE is, therefore, simple comedonal ACNE. As the ACNE process progresses, the skin around the hair follicles becomes increasingly inflamed. If the skin becomes severely inflamed, it may form cysts and these cysts are very likely to produce scars.

What can I expect?
Best results are achieved when ACNE is treated early to avoid complications. Modern treatments are very effective, however, treatments need to be continued.

What treatments are available for ACNE?

Do not become discouraged
The most important principle is not to become discouraged, despondent and give up. Keep in contact with your treating doctor, ask questions and follow through with treatments. It is also better to use a combination of treatments rather than a single treament.

Antibiotics
Most patients will require a course of antibiotics initially to clear up any infection that may be present. There are a number of antibiotics that will help with ACNE. Courses of oral antibiotics may vary in length from five days to six months. There are also antibiotic creams that may help.

Peeling of skin
Most patients will benefit from peeling of their skin to peel away inflamed and infected skin to unblock the pores of the skin. Peeling is achieved by various strengths of peeling creams or it can also be induced by laser therapy.

Oral Contraception
Most women will experience an improvement in their ACNE after taking oral contraception for a few months.

Drug treatment
A drug called Roaccutane is available for the treatment of ACNE. The drug produces peeling of the skin and decreases the production of oils in the sebaceous glands. It is usually taken for a period of four months.

Laser treatments
A number of treatments are available which use Laser. In this practice we use Lasers because we believe they deliver the quickest and most efficient results. Lasers can be used to control infection as well as stimulating the skin to promote healing.

Skin care
Optimal skin care is essential to the success of any ACNE treatment plan. A patient who washes the skin of the face thoroughly every day and uses a good quality cleanser and moisturiser is more likely to control. Gentle exposure to sun light is also helpful.

Do not expect perfection
It is quite common for the occasional pimple to occur even in the best treated patient. Have your expectations set to improvement of your ACNE condition note cure.
Why photographs will be taken
Most patients have great difficulty in remembering their appearance especially after long periods of time. Clinical photographs will help both patient and doctor to identify treatments which are helping and treatments which are not.
Can ACNE develop later in life?
Simple ACNE can develop in patients above the age of 30 years, however, there is another condition called Rosacea that may occur. Rosacea is characterised by the presence of redness of the face that looks like a blush associated with pimples. It is treated with similar treatments to ACNE. It responds very well to laser treatments as well as changes in diet.

Tell me about the laser treatments
Laser applications to the skin of the face for ACNE fall into two categories. Stimulating lasers reduce infection and stimulate a healing reaction of the skin. Peeling lasers remove inflamed or scarred tissue to allow new skin to grow over the affected area.
What is the difference between Laser treatments and other treatments?
The greatest advantage of Laser Treatments is the speed with which results are achieved. Most patients will notice a marked improvement in their complexion after one treatment. Laser achieves results more rapidly than IPL or other therapies.
How much do Laser treatments Cost?
The cost of treatments depends on the size of the treatment area. Most patients spend $550 to treat the whole face. Larger areas of skin are charged at $220 per 15minutes lasing time.
What are the risks of Laser treatments?
A small number of patients (1 to 5%) experience the following side effects and complications:
Swelling and blistering of the treated skin
Burning of the skin with skin breakdown
Swelling of the lower eyelids
Excessive pain during the procedure
Worsening of ACNE
Darkening of the treated skin
Excessive whiteness of the treated skin
Activation of cold sores
Any patient developing side effects and complications should contact the treating doctor immediately.
Who should not undergo Laser treatments?
Patients who have received a lot of sun exposure and are heavily tanned
Patients who have received treatment with Roaccutane for their ACNE within six months
Patients with active infections
How are Laser treatments performed?
The area to be treated is washed with cool water to remove surface dirt and makeup. Water-based gel is applied to the skin. Eye protection is applied. The Lasers are used in a systematic sequence to treat the different layers of the skin. At the end of the treatment, the gel is wiped off, the skin is washed again with cool water and dab-dried with a soft paper towel. A moisturiser is applied to the treatment area.
How long will my Laser treatment take?
Treatments take about 30 to 45 minutes.
When will I see the result of my Laser treatment?
Immediately after treatment, the lasered areas of skin will be red and inflamed. The redness will begin to settle within minutes of the end of the treatment. Most patients find that the treated skin will settle completely overnight and normal skin care and makeup can be applied the next day.
How often will I require Laser treatments?
Most patients have two treatments initially separated by three months. Maintenance treatments will be required every 6 to 12 months.
Is my Laser treatment guaranteed?
There are many factors that determine the final result of Laser treatments. No guarantees can be given of a particular result or how long the result will last.

LASER ACNE TREATMENT POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

What will happen?
Most patients are fine. Any redness and inflammation of the treated areas usually settles overnight. Some patients find that the treated areas may become inflamed, may swell and may blister. You can apply ice compresses to the treatment areas to speed up recovery and to make you more comfortable.

How do I apply ice-compresses?
The most important thing to remember is to never apply ice directly to the skin because it can cause burning of the skin. Always place a barrier between the ice and the skin. A suitable barrier is a cloth like a tea towel. Ideally the cloth should be lightly damp. Place the ice or ice-pack inside the damp cloth and apply to the treatment areas for 5 to 10 minutes two to four times per day. Apply ice compresses only if necessary, most people do not need them.

What should I avoid?
Avoid heavy sun exposure and do not use soap on treated areas until the skin has settled completely. Avoid cleansers, toners, facials, chemical peels and heavy make-up until the skin has settled completely.

Can my ACNE become worse?
Yes but usually temporarily. Sometimes the stimulation of the laser will cause new pimples to appear. You should always have a short course of antibiotics in reserve to take should this happen. Don’t worry! The ACNE will settle in the majority of patients. If the ACNE does not settle within a week, please come in for a consultation.

What can I do to improve my Laser ACNE result?
Use high quality anti-ACNE treatments. Take a multi-vitamin preparation. Don’t just use any treatment, use high quality treatments.

What shall I do if my Laser treatment does not work?
Always wait one full week to give the Laser treatment adequate time to work. If you still feel that it hasn't worked, come in for a follow up appointment.

Would you like more information about acne treatments?
The best way of getting exact information on this topic is to come in for a face to face consultation.
Please make a booking by telephoning 99605400.

Tell a friend about acne treatments
The greatest compliment that you can pay us is your personal recommendation.
Click Here to forward our website address to a friend.

| Home |