Acne Treatments, Broadway,Sydney

• Acne is a medical condition and acne treatment most often needs a medical solution.
• The causes of acne are multi-factorial and vary from person to person.   There is no one solution that fits all acne sufferers and a combination of  acne treatments will be best for some patients.
• Untreated acne can leave permanent  acne scars.
• Acne treatments  include specialized skin care routines, prescription medications, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser and light based treatments.  

What causes acne?

• Increased hormones – The free flow of sebum and skin cells to the skin’s surface via the hair follicles is affected by an increase in hormone activity that causes the skin cells and sebum to form a plug that blocks the pore.
• Blocked Pores - The sebum and skin cells “plug” the neck of the pore and trap everything inside. The blocked pore causes the follicle wall to bulge and is the cause of every blackhead, whitehead, red pimple, pustule and cyst.
• Bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes and inflammation - Because the pore is blocked, P. acnes multiply quickly, thriving on the trapped sebum as a food source. Redness, pus and pimples are caused by the immune system which is trying to control the larger than normal number of P. acnes.

Skin oil accumulates in blocked hair follicle pores, which become infected.

ACNE MYTH NUMBER ONE: Contrary to what some people think, greasy foods and chocolate have little effect on acne. Studies are ongoing to determine whether other dietary factors — including high-starch foods, such as bread, bagels and chips, which increase blood sugar — may play a role in acne.

ACNE MYTH NUMBER TWO: Acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact, scrubbing the skin too hard or cleansing with harsh soaps or chemicals irritates the skin and can make acne worse. Simple cleansing of the skin to remove excess oil and dead skin cells is all that's required.

Acne Treatments

Acne treatments work by reducing oil production, speeding up skin cell turnover, fighting bacterial infection, reducing the inflammation or doing all four.

 Correct Skin Care Routine:  Acne treatment products specifically designed to combat acne work to dry up the oil, kill bacteria and promote sloughing of dead skin cells. These products can often control mild acne and are of assistance in treating more severe forms. They are generally mild and contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid as their active ingredient. Some of these medications may cause initial side effects — such as skin irritation, dryness and flaking — that often improve after the first month of therapy.

We recommend you use a gentle cleanser such as Ultraceuticals ‘ Gentle Cleansing Gel which contains alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids that help remove the oil and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to prevent the physical blockage of pores that leads to acne. Ultraceuticals’ UltraClear Exfoliating Gel can also be used once or twice a week to deep cleanse congested pores. Beta-hydroxy acids (including salicylic acid) have the advantage of  possessing anti-inflammatory properties and are more oil soluble, which means they can penetrate oily skin better than alpha-hydroxy acids. For those with sensitive skin types, a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil can be used to prepare the skin for more active products such as Ultraceuticals’ UltraClear Treatment Gel which contains alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, retinoids and tea tree oil to smooth and un-clog oily and acne-prone skins.

Benzoyl peroxide may also be used to reduce active acne lesions and inflammation. Treatment should commence with the lowest possible concentration to minimize the risk of flaking and irritation. Allergic reactions and resistance to benzoyl peroxide are possible side effects.

 Avoid irritants: Acne treatment products such as facial scrubs, astringents and masks, oily or greasy cosmetics or sunscreens, hairstyling products or acne concealers generally aren't recommended because they tend to irritate your skin, which can worsen your acne. Select products labeled "water-based" or "non-comedogenic." Excessive washing and scrubbing also can irritate skin. If you tend to develop acne around your hairline, shampoo your hair frequently.

Makeup and foundations: Make-up can cause additional pore blockage and contribute to the acne cycle. Even foundations claiming to be oil-free can physically block pores and cause acne. A vicious cycle can easily develop in which make-up applied to cover acne spots in turn causes more acne which in turn encourages  further over use of  make-up. We recommend you use mineral make-up, since this sits on top of the skin and does not block pores. Ultraceuticals’ range of mineral make-ups are oil free, non-comedogenic, do not block pores and contain antioxidant properties with vitamins C and E and Green Tea Extract, plus an SPF factor to help prevent aging and rapid clearing of acne related pigmentations. Never sleep in your makeup, clean your applicators frequently and go bare whenever possible to allow your skin time to breathe and heal.

Prescription Acne treatments

Retinoids: If your acne doesn't respond completely to appropriate  skin care products, you may also require an acne  prescription product. Topical retinoids, derived from Vitamin A, work by unblocking the pore and normalizing the development of skin cells. By normalizing skin cell development they also prevent blocked pores.  Topical retinoids can be used alone or in combination with other acne treatments, depending on the severity and type of  acne.  

Antibiotic treatment: Antibiotics work by killing excess skin bacteria in the blocked pore which reduces the redness and pus. Acne antibiotics are available as gels, washes, creams or tablets. Blue light acne treatment and photo dynamic therapy for acne are also used to reduce the growth of P. acnes.

Isotretinoin: For deep cysts, antibiotics may not be enough. Isotretinoin is a powerful acne medication available for scarring cystic acne or acne that doesn't respond to other treatments. This medicine targets multiple factors contributing to acne and is reserved for its most severe forms. It's very effective, but people who take it need close monitoring by a cosmetic doctor or dermatologist because of the possibility of severe side effects. Isotretinoin is associated with severe birth defects, so it can't be safely taken by pregnant women or women who may become pregnant during the course of treatment or within several weeks of concluding treatment. In fact, the drug carries such serious potential side effects that women of reproductive age must participate in a Food and Drug Administration-approved monitoring program, or similar,  to receive a prescription for the drug.

Isotretinoin commonly causes side effects such as dry eyes, mouth, lips, nose and skin, as well as itching, nosebleeds, muscle aches, sun sensitivity and poor night vision. This acne drug may also increase the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood and may increase liver enzyme levels.

In addition, isotretinoin may be associated with an increased risk of depression and suicide. Although this causal relationship has not been proved, doctors remain on alert for these signs in people who are taking isotretinoin. If you feel unusually sad or unable to cope while taking this drug, tell your doctor immediately.

Oral contraceptives: can improve acne in some women by controlling excessive sebum production. However, oral contraceptives for acne  may cause other side effects — such as headaches, breast tenderness, nausea and depression — which you should discuss with your doctor. The most serious potential complication is a slightly increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and blood clots.

NOTE: With most prescription acne treatments, you may not see results for four to eight weeks, and your skin may get worse before it gets better.

Laser and light based acne treatments

Laser- and light-based acne therapies reach the deeper layers of skin without harming the skin's surface. Laser treatment  for acne is thought to dry up the oil (sebaceous) glands, causing them to produce less oil. Blue light therapy targets the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. These acne treatments can also improve skin texture and lessen the appearance of acne scars. More research is needed to understand the most effective use of light and laser therapies in acne treatment, and experts currently recommend these approaches as second line treatments to augment results achievable from traditional therapies, and only as stand-alone acne treatments in people who can't tolerate, or don’t want to take, approved acne medications.

Cosmetic procedures for acne

Light chemical peels using lactic or salicylic acids, microdermabrasions and/or professional extractions can also be useful in controlling acne, especially in those whose skin tends to hyperpigmentation (dark pigmentations that persist after the acne lesion has healed). These cosmetic procedures — which have traditionally been used to lessen the appearance of fine lines, sun damage and minor facial scars — are most effective when used in combination with other acne treatments. Never pick or squeeze blemishes yourself, as this can cause infection and lead to scarring.

What to Expect from Your Acne Treatment

• Be patient. No treatment will cure acne overnight. Acne is most often controlled, rather than cured, so expect to use some type of longer term maintenance medication.
• Be persistent. Use your medication as prescribed and don’t expect to see improvements for 4-8 weeks. The time it takes to see a difference will depend on your acne type, your skin and your perseverance in using your medication.
• Attend your follow – up consultations as recommended by your treating practitioner. These visits are an opportunity for us to assess your progress and to advise on any additional treatments that may be needed.

What can I do if my acne has caused scarring?

A range of treatments are available to help acne scarring. Read More