WHAT IS ACNE?
Just beneath the surface of the skin are hundreds of tiny glands called sebaceous glands. These glands produce oil, which normally passes through the pores to the skin to keep it soft and smooth. During adolescence, hormonal changes can stimulate the glands to produce extra amounts of this oil which can then clog the pores. When the pores become clogged, this oil gets trapped beneath the skin and acne bacteria thrive in these clogged pores. In a short time, the skin becomes irritated, red, and swollen resulting in the formation of a pimple. At certain times of life, this process becomes very active, troublesome, and hard to control.
IS ACNE LIMITED TO ADOLESCENTS?
No, it is not. Millions of women face adult acne beginning in early to mid twenties. Nearly half of all women have acne flare-ups and increased facial oiliness during the week preceding their menstruation. It occurs whether or not you had acne as a teenager and can be physically and emotionally devastating. Hormones, childbirth, menopause, or stopping the pill are usually the cause.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACNE TREATMENTS?
Yes there are many different types of treatments. At Skin by Design Dermatology & Laser Center, P.A. every patient gets an individualized acne treatment plan developed by an experienced medical doctor. Your plan may include one or more of the following: Blue-U® Photodynamic Therapy, acne facials, chemical peels, Hydrafacial MD™ treatments, prescription medications, steroid injections, and Medical Grade skin care products.
WHAT IS BLUE-U® PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY?
Blue light is a unique spectrum of light that kills acne bacteria in the skin. Blue-U® is FDA cleared for light-alone treatment of moderate inflammatory acne. Treatments are simple: you sit with your face close to the blue light for 16 minutes once or twice per week. It is safe, not painful, and not hot. On some patients, the doctors will apply a topical photosensitizer called Levulan® Kerastick® immediately before the Blue-U® treatment. Rapidly growing cells and oil glands absorb the photosensitizer and are destroyed by a reaction caused by the light.
WHAT ARE ACNE FACIALS?
The doctor uses a medical device to remove pore blockages. By extracting these impactions the pores are cleared of excess oil and debris. Blemishes are less likely to form, improving acne faster than other forms of acne treatments.
WHAT ARE EXTRACTIONS?
The doctor uses a medical device to remove pore blockages. By extracting these impactions the pores are cleared of excess oil and debris. Blemishes are less likely to form, improving acne faster than other forms of treatments.
WHAT ARE CHEMICAL PEELS?
Please go to the chemical peels section of this website.
WHAT ARE HYDRAFACIAL MD™ TREATMENTS?
Please go to the HydraFacial MD™ section of this website.
WHAT ARE MEDICAL GRADE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS?
Please go to the Medical Grade products section of this website.
WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR ACNE CARE?
Only a licensed professional with the knowledge and skill required to achieve optimum results should perform acne care.