What is Acne?
Acne or acne vulgaris is a typical teenage condition that affects the hair follicles of the face, chest, shoulders, and back. Acne develops due to the overproduction of sebum, which causes hair follicles to clog. It can also form in some adults due to certain causative factors.
Acne can be irritating, and if handled the wrong way, it can lead to acne scarring. This is why, at Lumiskins, we provide advanced acne removal and treatment methods to treat your acne without causing scarring.
What Causes Acne?
Acne vulgaris develops when hair follicles clog up with body oils, dead skin cells, and sometimes propionibacterium acnes bacteria. The formation of acne starts with the overproduction of sebum, which can be triggered by several factors.
- Hormonal Changes
Hormones are the leading cause of acne, especially during the teenage years. When teenagers reach puberty, acne develops due to an increase in androgen levels. High levels of androgens trigger excess sebum production, which breaks down the surrounding cellular walls clogging pores. In adults, hormonal changes, e.g., during ovulation, can also lead to acne.
- Cosmetics
Certain cosmetic and skincare products are comedogenic, i.e., they clog up pores, which leads to acne. Such products should be avoided, especially by people affected by recurring acne. Use water-based cosmetic and skincare products to prevent cosmetic-related acne.
- Drugs
Although most acne is not drug-related, some medications cause or increase the severity of acne. These include prescribed or bodybuilding steroids, contraceptives, anticonvulsants, and drugs containing iodides and bromides.
- Heredity
If one of your parents was affected by acne, there’s a high chance that you’ll develop the same or severe type of acne.
Types of Acne
Non-inflammatory
This is the mild form of acne. It causes no swelling, and it’s not very painful. It can be categorized into:
- Whiteheads – This type of acne is formed when sebum and dead skin cells clog pores, and the pores remain closed. They are also called closed comedones.
- Blackheads – Just like whiteheads, blackheads are formed when sebum and dead skin cells clog pores. However, unlike whiteheads, the top of the pores remains open. They are also called open comedones.
Inflammatory
This is the moderate to severe form of acne.
- Papules – This acne is hard, tender to the touch, and the skin around it is pink. Papules form due to the breakdown of the walls surrounding your pores.
- Pustules – Just like papules, these red bumps are formed due to breakdown of the wall around your pores. However, unlike papules, they are filled with pus, which gives them characteristic white or yellow heads.
- Nodules – These acnes occur when clogged, inflamed pores undergo further irritability and grow larger. Unlike papules and pustules, nodules extend deeper underneath the skin.
- Cysts – These are the most severe form of acne, and they develop when bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells clog deeper underneath the skin. They are large and painful, and they appear as white or red bumps. Learn More
Acne Removal Methods
We are using the most in-demand aesthetic treatments workstation – Venus Versa™
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
IPL uses high-intensity light to destroy Propionibacterium acnes and the dead skin cells associated with acne. It also activates the skin to produce new healthy cells, to heal from acne without leaving any scars. The light is emitted in pulses on the affected areas of the skin.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are specially formulated chemical solutions that contain glycolic acid, retinoic acid, or salicylic acid. They are safe and work best when combined with our other treatment methods. Chemical peels are used to exfoliate dead skin cells, to open up pores and prevent further clogging.
Light Therapy
Blue light therapy is one of the best treatments for severe acne. At 460nm, the blue light destroys propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that causes inflammation in acne. It’s non-invasive and safe for use on all skin types.
Acne Removal
Frequently Asked Questions
Each acne treatment method that we utilize works differently to eliminate acne. IPL uses high-intensity light to target the bacteria and dead skin cells associated with inflamed acne. Light therapy also destroys the bacteria and dead skin cells that contribute to acne. Chemical peels are acid-based solutions that exfoliate dead skin cells to unclog pores.
All our acne treatment methods offer long-term results to our clients. After undergoing treatment, our dermatologists offer skincare tips to maintain the acquired results and prevent acne recurrence.
The number of sessions required to eliminate acne and attain ideal results depends on the type of acne being treated and its severity. It’s also dependent on the procedure being used to treat your acne.