Acne treatments for summer
Many of us will experience acne breakouts over the festive season, as we indulge in more alcohol and rich, sugary foods, spend more time outdoors and in the water, sweat in the heat, and use more oil-based sunscreens for sun protection.
What is acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that normally begins in the teenage years but can affect people of all ages.
It occurs when the hair follicles and associated oil glands become blocked and inflamed, resulting in the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads and inflamed pus-filled spots on the skin.
In summer, your skin is more susceptible to bacteria, sweat and clogged pores, so you may see more acne come to the surface over the hotter months.
Acne most commonly occurs on the face, neck, back and chest, as this is where the largest and most active oil glands reside.
What causes acne?
According to the Australasian College of Dermatologists, there are number of factors that can cause acne, including:
- Hormones – during puberty, the skin’s oil glands respond to the production of androgens by producing more sebum – the oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin.
- Sebaceous (oil) gland blockage – this occurs when the skin cells lining the upper part of the hair follicle duct accumulate and form a plug, with oil trapped behind it.
- Bacteria – the prevalence of acne bacteria can cause inflammation and lesions in acne affected areas.
- Genetics – while there’s no specific gene for acne, if your parents or other family members had acne, there is a higher chance that you will too.
- Stress – when you are stressed, your adrenal glands produce more androgens, which can make acne worse.
- Diet – ever experienced that sudden breakout after a big block of chocolate? Then you probably already suspect that diet can have an impact on acne.
- Occupation – in some industries, people can develop occupational acne when Work Health and Safety regulations haven’t been observed properly.
What about acne scars?
Acne scars occur when acne breakouts deeply penetrate the skin, causing damage to the skin and the tissue underneath it. As the body tries to repair itself, it will produce collagen. The type of acne scar will depend on how much collagen your body makes.
How can I treat my acne?
DermCosmesis offers a range of advance treatment options for acne and acne scarring. These include:
Clear + Brilliant™ Permea Laser Treatment
Clear + Brilliant™ is a gentle, revolutionary resurfacing treatment, which restores some of that skin lustre we all strive for. This laser treatment helps improve skin texture and tone, reduce pore size and lighten pigmentation.
Laser procedures for acne scars can be safely performed on all skin types including dark skin. Laser treatment of acne scars is painless, and well tolerated, as we provide specialist prescribed numbing cream for your treatment.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels provide deep exfoliation to your skin, without scrubbing or damaging your skin, and promote skin hydration. A chemical solution is applied to the face to make it blister and peel. The removal of your older skin will leave you with fresher, new skin underneath. Chemical peels are commonly used on the face, neck and hands and can improve shallow acne scars.
Microdermabrasion
A non-invasive procedure that removes the top layer of skin cells revealing healthier-looking skin. Microdermabrasion is easy and safe and it can help to unclog pores, soften fine lines and wrinkles, smooth textured skin, as well as decrease the appearance of shallow scars and pore size.
Micro-needling
Also known as collagen induction therapy, micro-needling helps with fine lines, acne scarring and wound healing. It also compliments other treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion. This procedure helps your body to restore its glow by stimulating collagen production.
Subscision
Subscision treatment helps with deep acne scarring. It treats underneath the skin by severing the scar tissue, thus reducing the dimpled effect. This treatment involves inserting a small needle into your skin to release the acne scar from the underlying tissue. This allows your skin to rise and to diminish the appearance of the acne. It is best suited for those with deep tissue scars.
Mesoestetic Acnelan
Mesoestetic Acnelan is a range of products that offer a medical method for intensive treatment of acne-prone and seborrhoeic skin. These products deep cleanse blocked pores, removing impurities and improving the skin texture. Acnelan offers a cross-cutting approach to address the numerous factors that trigger acne, combining an intensive clinical treatment for professional use with a home care treatment comprising a complete range of products.
Often a combination of treatments is required to treat your acne and/or acne scarring and you may need a number of treatment sessions over time to achieve optimal results.
Results from acne treatments will vary from patient to patient and some treatments may not be suitable if you are pregnant or have been on medication or roaccutaine within the last year.
Our cosmetic physician will initially consult with you to discuss your concerns and suitability and will then work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan, choosing the best combination of treatments to address your specific concerns.
Client 1 – Before and After Clear + Brilliant Treatment
Client 2 – Before and After Pro Stamp Needling Treatment
Are there any side effects to treatment?
You may experience some redness and mild swelling from your treatment, but this will typically reduce in around 12 hours.
In the few days following your treatment, you may also experience some itchiness or skin sensitivity to touch or temperature. This is all part of the natural skin renewal process and should dissipate a few days after your treatment.
Your skin may also feel extremely dry following treatment, but this should improve with time.
For more information on this topic, visit:
- The Australasian College of Dermatologists – https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/acne-vulgaris/
- American Academy of Dermatology Association – https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars/causes
- DermCosmesis – https://www.dermcosmesis.com.au/advanced-acne-solutions/
