acne treatments

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What Are Acne Treatments

Acne is a symptom of an imbalance deep within the skin’s pores that doesn’t necessarily disappear after adolescence, unfortunately. When oil or sebum and bacteria are clogged in the skin with dead skin cells, a pimple surfaces. That pimple is an inflammatory response that attempts to heal the skin, and when there is excessive inflammation the resulting infection can become more difficult to manage.

Think all pimples are the same? Not necessarily. The cause of the flare-up actually determines how the pimple will form. Once you and your doctor have identified the type of acne you have—mild, moderate or severe—a course of acne treatments will be determined.

Your physician has a variety of options to treat your acne. They include:

• Laser and light treatments
• Medication
• Topical Agents
• Chemical peels

When applied to the skin, chemical peels remove dead skin cells and clean out clogged pores, reducing inflammation in the deeper layers of the skin and shrinking the breakout and amount of oil in the pores. The treatment can be performed in less than 30 minutes, and you may be red and flaky for a few days following the peel.  To address breakouts, light- to medium-strength chemical peels have been a staple in most aestheticians’ and dermatologists arsenals for years. Chemical peels use a chemical solution that causes dead skin to peel off. With a handful of different peeling agents to choose from light peels can be done as frequently as every few months, or whenever the complexion needs refreshing. Many different types of peels can be used to alleviate acne as well as scarring, but glycolic acid—a type of alphahydroxy acid—is the most common. Salicylic acid—a betahydroxy acid—may be more suitable for sensitive skin,and yet another type, polyhydroxy acid, is among the latest generation of acids that results in the least irritation. Your doctor will decide which type of peel and concentration based on your skin.  Regardless of the peeling agent used, the end goal of all chemical peels is the same: to leave the skin regenerated, smoother and with a dewy youthful glow.

Hi- Frequency Ozone is a relatively new treatment for acne. Radio frequency the same technology used in the skin-tightening treatment Thermage uses heat to inhibit oil gland activity. It is often used in combination with blue light and red light therapy to treat bacteria and inflammation. 

During a facial, the esthetician begins by thoroughly cleansing the skin. Various masks,steams, and a facial massage may be incorporated into the treatment. The esthetician will use products to reduce surface oil, remove dead skin cells, soothe, or hydrate. Your esthetician can also recommend products for at-home use, like cleansers and moisturizers, that won't aggravate your acne.

If the skin is at all inflamed, extractions should be held to a minimum if done at all. No one, not even an esthetician, should attempt to extract deep inflamed blemishes such as nodules and cysts.

If you decide to make facials a part of your skincare routine, remember you'll get the best results if they're done regularly. Be sure to tell your esthetician about all topical and oral medications you're currently using to avoid unwanted reactions.

Dermaplaning is a form of exfoliation in which the aesthetician uses a sharp surgical blade to manually slough and scrape off any build-up of dead skin cells on the face. In addition to getting rid of dead cells, the treatment softens the appearance of fine lines and scarring. This procedure also removes any “peach fuzz,” also known as vellus hair, which can trap dirt and oil, causing breakouts and a dull complexion (and hair will not grow back darker or thicker). After dermaplaning, you will see the results immediately; your skin will be left smooth, soft, and radiant. Dermplaning is as easy as shaving, and is just as painless with no recovery time.

Dermaplaning is great for getting rid of those stubborn acne scars, and offers a variety of benefits:

• Non-surgical 
• More gentle than microdermabrasion (great for sensitive skin!)
• Minimal redness
• Deeply exfoliating
• Does not cause trauma to the skin, like some other procedures
• Increases product absorption
• Minimizes the appearance of pores
• Removes dry, dead skin cells on the surface layer (a.k.a. the stratum corneum)
• Stimulates circulation at the blood and lymph level (to help with healing)
• Improves elasticity and texture of the skin
• Reduces hyperpigmentation, acne scars and evens skin tone