Acne is a very common skin condition affecting many adolescents and adults. Known as zits, pimples, cysts, breakouts, blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads, comedones, pustules, acne impacts about 85 percent of the population at some point during their lifetime. While most common on the face, acne can also affect the neck, chest, back, and shoulders.  Acne can have significant physical and psychological side effects such as permanent scarring, poor self-image, depression and anxiety.

Acne is a complicated process happening deep inside skin pores. Four main factors contributing to development of acne include:

CLOGGED PORES

Skin cells are in a constant state of renewal. As old cells die, they are sloughed off to reveal fresh skin about every thirty days. But if you have acne prone skin, these dead cells do not slough off, they clog your pores, trapping oil and bacteria inside. The first step leading up to the formation of a pimple results from the oil, and skin cell secretions being trapped at the hair follicle.

THE OVERPRODUCTION OF OIL OR SEBUM

Your androgen hormones stimulate the release of oil from the sebaceous (oil) glands, draining directly to your pores. During puberty, menstruation or times of emotional stress, androgen activity increases, causing greater oil production and more clogged pores. As oil continues to be produced, it is trapped behind the plug, collecting and building pressure inside the po

BACTERIAL COLONIZATION WITH Cutibacterium acnes (previously known as Propionibacterium acnes) ON OILY SKIN

INFLAMMATION

As the bacteria digest the oil, they release inflammatory byproducts that leak out of the follicle causing swelling, redness and tenderness.

Acne is categorized into two main groups:​  non-inflammatory (comedonal) acne and inflammatory acne

Comedonal, non-inflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads. Comedonal acne most commonly affects the T-zone, forehead, mid face and chin.

Inflammatory acne includes red papules, pustules, nodules and deep cysts that are often painful and may leave red or dark marks and in some case  scarring. It is crucial to treat inflammatory acne early, by a professional, to prevent possibility of permanent scarring.

Treatment Options

Acne treatments include topical over the counter and prescription products, oral prescriptions, chemical peels (LINK), hydrafacial (LINK), and laser and light treatments with Aerolase (LINK), IPL (LINK), resurfacing lasers like Clear and Brillaint (LINK), Fraxel (LINK), Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) (LINK). Seek professional dermatological treatment early as it may avoid or minimize unwanted complications such as scarring.

Acne scarring (LINK) can be effectively managed with a combination of lasers, chemical peels, radiofrequency (LINK).

NeoClear by Aerolase

Skincare concern: Comedonal, inflammatory and nodulocystic acne

Solution: 1064 Nd:Yag 650 Microsecond Laser Technology

Mechanism of action: The NeoClear by Aerolase laser offers multifactorial benefits.  It reduces sebum output, reduces inflammation, and destroy P. acnes bacteria. As a result, there is a significant reduction in acne lesions as well as reduced skin redness, reduced pore size, and an overall improvement in skin texture.

Chemical Peels

Skincare concern: Clogged pores, blackheads/whiteheads,

Solution: Mesoestetic Cosmelan Pack®, Skinceuticals Gel Peel SM™, Jessner’s Solution

Mechanism of action: Chemical peels dissolve sebum and cellular debris that clogs pores while promoting cellular turnover, new collagen and elastin synthesis to prevent acne scarring.

Mesopuncture

Skincare concern: Comedonal acne, acne scarring, post-inflammatory pigmentation

Solution: Microneedling combined with a proprietary blend of anti-inflammatory botanicals and bio-stimulatory peptides.

Mechanism of action: Mesopuncture is used to fade acne scars over time as bio-stimulatory peptides stimulate collagen to create volume in the skin and antioxidants and amino acids create an anti-inflammatory effect that encourages healing.

Microneedling 

Skincare concern: Acne scarring

Solution: Microneedling

Mechanism of action: Microneedling uses tiny needles to create micro injuries deep within the skin to increase collagen production and regeneration to smooth skin’s appearance.

V-Beam 

Skincare concern: Acne, rosacea, red/purple acne scars

Solution: Micropulse Pulse Dye Laser

Mechanism of action: This technology targets and ameliorates redness associated with acne scarring.  Limits skin inflammation.

Needling radiofrequency (Vivace, Lutronic Genius)

Skincare concern: Active comedonal and inflammatory acne, acne scarring, large pores

Solution: Needling Radiofrequency Technology

Mechanism of action: Gold-plated needles create micro-pores in the skin to make new collagen-rich tissue while radiofrequency applies heat to destroy acne-promoting bacteria and remodel scar tissue

Fractional Skin Resurfaicng (Clear and Brilliant, Fraxel, CO2 Laser)

Skincare concern: Active comedonal and inflammatory acne, hyperpigmentation, discoloration, acne scarring

Solution: DUAL 1550/1927 Fractional Resurfacing, Fractional CO2

Mechanism of action:  Resurfacing laser treatment helps eliminate pigmented and acne- scarred skin with microscopic laser columns that expedite the remodeling of collagen. The laser itself only treats a fraction of tissue at a time and leaves the surrounding tissue intact, resurfacing your skin by stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin cells from the inside out.