Acne

---

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that typically effects the face, chest, back and arms. Acne can consist of pustules, nodules, blackheads, whiteheads, open pores, oily complexion, scaring and redness. 

When the oil (sebaceous) glands at the base of the hair follicles in our skin become over productive and the opening to the follicle (pores) become blocked by dead skin, it provides P.Acne bacteria a perfect breeding ground. This acne causing bacteria can spread under the skin leaving behind a trail of pimples. 

Acne can effect anyone at any age however, most commonly thought to be found in male and female teenagers, but is also quite commonly found in female adult skin types, typically those who suffer from hormonal imbalances.

The three main causes of acne are:

• Excess oil production - Oil production itself is stimulated by hormones however genetics do play a factor. A patient with oil skin may present with open pores and shine build up during the day but may not present with acne if they do not have the bacteria present or the dead skin build up to trap the oil and bacteria in the follicles. 
• Bacterial growth - P.Acne bacteria is the acne causing bacteria in our skin that thrives off oil! Everyone has some amount of bacteria on their skin but it is the other contributing factors that work together to form acne. One with bacteria may not necessarily have acne if they do not present with the excessive oil production or with dead skin build up to help form pustules. 
• Dead skin - Dead skin build up acts like glue on the skin surface. It prevents skin from naturally sloughing off dead dry cells and prevents our natural oil to be excreted. This is common in skin types who have acne, yet experience a dry and rough texture. This layer of dead skin build up traps bacteria within the follicles and allows the bacteria to continue to borrow into other follicles, spreading the acne in clusters. These skin types may experience many blackheads and whiteheads as the puss (oil and bacteria) is trapped beneath the layers of dead skin. 

Other important factors that have an impact on the causes of acne include:

• Hormones - Unbalanced androgen hormones found in teenagers is trigger of excessive oil production. Adults who suffer from hormonal imbalances and female adults who suffer from PCOS and Endometriosis can produce higher amounts of testosterone. Therefore, overstimulating the sebaceous glands, causing an overproduction of oil. Which is the main contributing factor to acne.
• Steroids - Topical steroidal use to treat skin irritations and dermatitis is also commonly found trigger to acne. When finishing a cycle of topical steroidal use (this can be a minimum of a weeks worth), forces the skin to experience 'steroidal withdraws'. Another common cause of acne. This type of acne can start is red itchy irritation and usually contains many pustules.

Treating acne can be quite complex as there are many contributing factors associated. However acne can be treated and maintained by controlling the three main factors needed to form acne.

Controlling the excess oil production can be achieved by exposing the skin to Chemical Peel treatment. We use a combination of Lactic and Salicylic acids in clinic to eat away at excess oil not only on the skins surface but deep within the follicle's. These acids work like 'Pac-man' and eat away at the dead skin build up on the skins surface, targeting two of the three leading factors to acne. 

The final factor, bacteria, can be effectively treated with the use of LED Light Therapy. Pink LED (which is the combination of blue and red LED Lights) kills bacteria within the skin as well as reducing the inflammation and redness. 

This combination of Chemical peel and LED Light Therapy is usually performed in the same sitting and can be performed 1-2 times per month. 

Preparing patients a few weeks before their first treatment is essential to exposing their skin to a lighter dose of the acids. This preparation period will assist with clearing the skin on a daily basis rather then 1-2 times a month during treatment alone. This also lessens the chance of any adverse reaction as the skin can build up a tolerance to these acids. 

Once the acne has been successfully treated, management is another very important step in preventing the acne from returning. 

Continuing to use the essential skincare to control oil flow, prevent bacterial growth and exfoliate dead skin is a major key to success. Also an essential key to healthy skin aging. At Mirra Skin & Aesthetic Clinic we prescribe Synergie Skincare to not only effectively treat acne but to also prevent it from returning.

Majority of patients who suffered from acne then wish to focus their treatments on acne scaring treatment. Acne scaring can only be treated once the acne is under control otherwise it may spread bacteria and increase acne formation. The best suited procedure to treat acne scaring is Skin Needling. 

Once all concerns are met, maintenance treatments once a month are recommend to preventing these acne causing factors from reforming in the skin. A Great maintenance treatment (and antiaging treatment ) is the Medifacial treatment which includes a light hydrating lactic peel, LED light therapy, microdermabrasion and customised mask.