June is Acne Awareness Month and we at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology want you to know about what causes acne and how you can get rid of it. Acne is the most common skin condition in America, affecting anywhere from 40 to 50 million people. While it affects teens most often, adult acne is also common and is on the rise. Acne can happen in occasional outbreaks, or it can be a constant, severe presence. When left untreated, acne can cause scarring, so it is best to treat acne early rather than trying to wait it out. Often, acne does not go away on its own.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, bacteria, hormones, lifestyle, and stress levels. Smoking leads to an increased level of acne, and pregnancy can cause breakouts as well. Puberty is the main culprit, as 80 to 90 percent of teenagers suffer from acne after its onset. Eating lots of simple sugars in the diet can also contribute to acne outbreaks.
Acne happens when the pores are clogged by dead skin cells that are trapped by sebum production. Then, the bacteria p. acnes gets into the pores as well, where it multiplies and causes inflammation. This inflammation leads to acne cysts or nodules. Luckily, there are treatments available that can significantly help to reduce both active acne and acne scars!
Acne and Acne Scar Treatments
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, our expert dermatologists offer a wide variety of treatments for acne and acne scars. These include:
PDT, or photodynamic therapy, is a treatment that uses blue or red light to kill active acne bacteria in the skin. Blu-U blue light treatment can be used without a topical treatment, simply targeting bacteria with blue light. Aktilite uses red light combined with Metvixia topical cream to create a reaction that kills bacteria. Both of these treatments are painless, safe, and effective!
Isolaz is a treatment with three steps: cleanse, purify, and replenish. Isolaz is a great option for patients with both light and dark skin, and works quickly: results can generally be seen just 24 to 48 hours following treatment!
The Lumenis ResurFX is a laser skin resurfacing treatment which is gentle and effective. ResurFX is non-ablative, meaning it does not actually damage the skin like other ablative lasers. It is gentle on the skin and requires no recovery time. This laser is good for treating both active acne and acne scars!
CoolTouch III is another gentle laser treatment. It can be used effectively on dark skin, unlike many laser treatments. CoolTouch targets and shrinks oil glands, reducing their ability to produce acne. In addition, it causes the skin to produce more collagen, which in turn helps to smooth acne scars.
Schedule an Acne Consultation with Cosmetic Laser Dermatology
If you are suffering from acne or acne scars, don’t hesitate to contact the expert dermatologists at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego! To learn more and to schedule your consultation, just call (858) 943-2113 today!
Next, read How to Rejuvenate Your Eyes.
