What is Acne?
Acne vulgaris is a skin condition that develops when sebum and dead skin cells clog skin pores. It varies from mild to severe forms. In some cases, skin bacteria may infect the pores causing inflammation. Acne is more prevalent in teenagers, but it may also affect adults.
At Lumiskins, we utilize advanced acne removal and treatment methods to eliminate any form of acne that may be affecting you. It is one of the common skin conditions that we encounter and successfully treat using our cutting-edge procedures for acne removal and treatment in Richmond Hill.
What Causes Acne?
Acne forms through a series of events that lead to swollen and clogged pores. A trigger factor causes excess sebum production, which combines with damaged skin cells causing pores to clog. Some factors that contribute to acne include:
- Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluxes are the leading cause of acne in young people. During adolescence, the level of androgens spikes, triggering an increase in sebum production. This leads to clogged pores due to excess sebum. In adults, hormonal changes can also occur, for example, during pregnancy and menopause, leading to acne.
- Drugs
Although acne rarely occurs due to drugs, certain medications can trigger or worsen acne. These drugs include corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, lithium, bromide and iodine based-drugs, and contraceptives.
- Heredity
If one of your parents suffered or suffers from severe acne, you may develop the same type of acne.
- Cosmetics
Certain cosmetic products have constituents that clog pores. Such products should be avoided to avert acne. Instead, use water-based cosmetic and skincare products.
Types of Acne
There are two main categories of acne, i.e., inflammatory and non-inflammatory. An individual may be affected by one or both types of acne.
Non-inflammatory
This type of acne is mild and does not cause swelling. It can be further categorized into:
- Whiteheads – This type of non-inflammatory acne occurs when sebum and dead skin cells clog small skin pores. They are medically referred to as closed comedones because the top of the affected pores remains closed.
- Blackheads – They are formed in slightly larger pores by sebum and dead skin cells. Unlike whiteheads, the top of the affected pores is open, hence the medical name open comedones.
Inflammatory
Inflammatory acne causes pores to swell and become painful. Pimples in this category can be divided into:
- Papules – When non-inflammatory acne becomes irritated, it may breakdown the surrounding wall in the pore, causing papules. They are hard and tender to the touch with a characteristic pink skin around the affected pores.
- Pustules – They are also formed when the wall surrounding your pores breaks down. Unlike papules, pustules have pus due to dead white blood cells, which gives them a white or yellow head.
- Nodules – When clogged pores suffer prolonged irritation, they grow larger and deeper underneath the skin forming nodules. Nodules are painful and hard to treat using regular topical creams.
- Cysts – This is the most severe type of acne. They are large red or white pimples that result from severe pore infection. Cysts are formed deep underneath the skin, and they contain sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
We are using the most in-demand aesthetic treatments workstation – Venus Versa™
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense Light Therapy or IPL utilizes high-intensity light to destroy bacteria and dead skin cells found in acne. This light is emitted in controlled pulses on and around the affected areas. IPL stimulates the skin to produce healthy cells and collagen for healthy scar-free skin after successful treatment.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are safe acidic solutions that are specifically formulated to help eliminate acne. Some of the acids found in our specially formulated chemical peels include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinoic acid. They exfoliate dead skin cells blocking pores to treat and prevent acne. Chemical peels are usually used in combination with other acne treatment methods.
Light Therapy
Light therapy, specifically blue light therapy, is useful for treating acne. At 460nm, high-intensity blue light destroys p. acnes and the cells around affected pores. This eliminates acne and triggers the skin to undergo a self-healing process. Blue light therapy is recommended for treating severe forms of acne.
Acne Removal
Frequently Asked Questions
The time taken during each acne treatment session depends on the areas being treated, the severity of the acne, and the treatment method. One may require several sessions to acquire the desired results.
Lumiskins utilizes IPL, light therapy, and chemical peels. All our acne treatment procedures are safe and non-invasive. You may experience slight discomfort after the procedure, which subsides after a day or two.
Our acne treatment procedures have long-lasting results. After treatment, one should protect the skin from irritants and follow the tips given by our specialist to maintain the acquired results and prevent acne recurrence.
All our acne treatment methods work by destroying Propionibacterium acnes bacteria and damaged skin cells that contribute to acne. They also stimulate the skin to produce healthy cells and connective tissues for a self-healing process that eliminates acne and prevents scarring.