Illumina Skin Renew

Acne Treatments

Acne. That one word has brought much dismay and frustration to many teens and many female adults. Adult onset acne can strike 20% of us, even individuals who never had to deal with it in their teens. Skin is the body’s largest organ; it serves so many functions. Normally, the cells that line the hair follicle shed every 28 days and new cells take their place. The dead cells combine with oil or sebum and try to find their way to the surface where they will be washed away. Some follicles produce cells that stick tightly together so they never make it to the surface. These cells accumulate, mix with more oil and bacteria, and then form a plug. You can’t see this because it’s all happening underneath the surface, but acne is starting to form. As more oil is produced, the follicle swells and becomes inflamed.

There are options to treat acne, one is oral medication such as accutane or oral antibiotics. Medications may have systemic consequences, and may not be favored by everyone. Acne treatments need patience. It takes time to heal. With IPL technology, the light destroys the bacteria that can cause inflammation in the papules and pustules. To achieve great results, we alternate IPL treatments with microdermabrasion and chemical peels. The peels are acids and enzymes that unclog the pores and balance the skin’s surface. Most people require ongoing treatments, which depend on the severity of the cases, but with continuing treatments you can achieve excellent results. Superficial monthly peels help with maintenance. Every individual’s skin has different needs and concerns and with acne, there is no such thing as a one time quick fix.