Acne and Acne Scarring
Acne is a common chronic skin condition which affects virtually all individuals at least once, either through adolescence or through middle age. Acne is characterised by pimples that most often appear on the face and neck, but it is not uncommon to develop these lesions on the chest, back, shoulders and upper arms too. This occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with excess oils, dirt and bacteria and in turn become inflamed or infected.
The effects of acne should not be underestimated. The inflammation can persist for years, cause tissue damage which results in disfigurement and permanent scarring; and have significant psycho-social consequences, including diminished self-esteem, embarrassment, social withdrawal, depression and anxiety.
What causes acne?
The cause of acne is multifactorial and usually occurs as a result of both environmental and genetic factors. Acne can present in the form of comedones (blackheads), pimples, cysts and abscesses (in severe cases). These lesions are formed on the skin when the pores in the skin are blocked, causing oil (sebum) to be trapped, along with dead skin cells and bacteria within the hair follicles. The sebaceous glands are attached to the hair follicles, and under normal circumstances, have the function of secreting sebum which travels up the hair follicle and onto the skin to lubricate it and help retain moisture. However, if there is a blockage in the hair follicle, the sebum can’t get out, which turns into the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to cause inflammation.
Treatment
It’s never a good idea to “wait” for acne to go away. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment is fundamental if you want to avoid scarring and the possible psychological effects. Often a combination of treatments are necessary to eradicate acne, treat scarring and improve skin quality. Our treatments include:
- Chemical Peels to increase cell turnover and prevent pores from clogging
- Mesotherapy to introduce oxygen into the pores and stop bacterial growth
- LED Light Therapy to control and eradicate bacteria
- Microneedling to improve skin tone, texture, increase collagen production and treat scarring
- Dermal Fillers to add volume and treat deep scars
- Control and remove underlying causes and triggers through an integrative medicine approach with tailored lifestyle changes, through Genetic Testing and Nutritional Health.
- Medical grade skincare products to slow down excess skin oil production
