Services & Procedures

Acne

What is ACNE?

The pilosebaceous unit contains a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland that forms sebum. The sebum ( an oily substance) normally flows up the hair follicle to the surface of the skin. When this mechanism is disrupted, acne can be produced. It starts with a plug in the opening of the hair follicle…build-up of keratin that doesn't allow the sebum to flow to the surface.

A backup of sebum occurs which creates a nice medium for a bacteria to grow called P. Acnes. Various inflammatory products follow and we have a reactive inflamed area creating a pustule. This can further develop into a nodule and into a cyst. If allowed to progress to this degree, scarring may eventually ensue.

Cause?

Unknown but appears to be related to hormonal changes, particularly to the increase in the male hormone Androgen that occurs in the teenage years.

Occasionally acne may be related to the use of other medications…such as steroids, Lithium, barbiturates etc. Make sure you advise your treating doctor of all the medications you are taking.

Treatment Strategies

  • GENTLE CLEANSING (NO SCRUBBING) AM AND PM for all types of acne
  • Blackheads and whiteheads. Gentle extrusion possible, MICRODERMABRASION is another option (available at Chrysalis)
  • Papules and pustules. Oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, Vitamin A related products i.e. Retin A., Tazaroc….. Obagi Clenziderm kit is an excellent kit containing cleanser, pore rinse and benzoyl peroxide 5%, PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY is the unique application of a photosensitizing agent that is preferentially taken up by the pilosebaceous unit and then subjected to a light source such as BLU-U or IPL or V BEAM to help eradicate the acne lesions

  • Nodules and cysts. Antibiotics oral and topical are sometimes not enough and Accutane (Isotretinoin) may be required. Occasionally the use of injectable corticosteroids is necessary into the lesions.
  • SCARRING. Hopefully you have not progressed to this stage but if you have, there are resurfacing lasers available to help minimize the scars. FRAXEL resurfacing lasers has revolutionized the treatment of scarring.

For the treatment of ACNE, Chrysalis Rejuvenation clinic offers the following strategies: Microdermabrasion, Obagi line of products, Photodynamic therapy, Blu-u, IPL (intense pulsed light),V BEAM, FRAXEL resurfacing laser.