Acne is said to be one of the most common skin conditions in the United States, affecting up to 85% of the population. However with so many men and women suffering from the condition, why is there still no universal cure? There are a number of oral medications such as antibiotics that are known to help alleviate the symptoms, however these can often have unpleasant side effects for the user.
What exactly is acne?
Acne is an inflammatory skin disease, which is particularly common amongst teenagers, although it can affect people during all stages of life.
The causes of acne can vary, however in general terms it is due to a number of factors that negatively affect the skin. In most cases, acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands that are present in the skin that excessively produce oil. As a result, this oil becomes combined with other cells and bacteria, which clogs the pores in the skin. When this happens, a certain bacteria, known as bacterium P.acnes, multiplies leading to prominent, raised markings on the skin. Acne can also be caused, or at the least worsened, by other contributing factors including genetics, changes in hormones, menstruation and stress. There have also been studies to show that certain foods can worsen acne, including junk food and other foods that contain a high glycemic load, including; white bread, pasta, sweets, rice.
The physical effects of this condition are the development of spots, pimples, cysts and boils. These breakouts tend to be most apparent on the face, chest, back, neck and shoulders, however this isn’t the only consequence that acne can have on a person. This condition can also lead to visible acne scarring, which can be particularly traumatic if on the face, leading to anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
So, what acne treatments ACTUALLY work?
There are a number of different treatments for acne that are known to be particularly effective.
Medications
There are a number of oral and topical medications that may be prescribed by your general practitioner that can help with the both the symptoms and the root cause of acne. The medication given to you will be dependent on the type of acne that you have. As mentioned above, this isn’t always a viable option, as medications can have an adverse affect on the patient. Not only can it fail to have a reasonable effect on the skin, but also it can cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea and depression.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment is considered a breakthrough in medical technology for the management of acne. This non-invasive procedure targets bacteria, using light energy that encourages the release of free radical oxygen in the skin. This then reduces the acne bacterium that is the primary cause of spots. Certain lasers, such as the N-LiteV also stimulate collagen growth beneath the skin, which helps to reduce any acne scarring.
Laser treatment can be used across the body, including the neck, shoulders and the back. Usually, the entire affected area will be treating during each session. This will help to kill the bacteria across a wider area, decreasing the risk of the infection spreading any further.
The number of treatments needed varies depending on the condition of the patients skin. Some patients will notice visible differences after the first session and only require one treatment. It is however recommended to have 2-3 treatments over a period of 12 weeks to ensure that all active acne has been dispersed.
Medical Microdermabrasion
Medical microdermabrasion works by using specialist equipment to pass tiny crystals over the skin to resurface the superficial layers. As the crystals move over the skin, a soft vacuum removes the dead cells. This allows the crystals to then exfoliate and polish the fresh skin beneath.
Medical microdermabrasion is particular effective for moderate acne, as it rejuvenates the skin, whilst stimulating the production of fresh skin cells and collagen. To achieve optimal results, microdermabrasion should be combined with laser treatments.
Chemical Skin Peels
This process works by applying an acidic solution to the skin, which then chemically exfoliates the top layer of the skin, revealing the healthier layers beneath. Depending on the severity of that patients’ acne, there are different types, and strengths of chemical peel available. Only doctor or registered clinician can administer stronger peels.
Although this procedure is safe and medically approved, there are a number of side effects with chemical skin peels that may deter patients, especially those with darker skin. Temporary darkening has been reported for people with lighter skin, and some people with darker skin have experienced skin lightening, which can be a permanent disfigurement. For this reason, any patient considering a chemical skin peel should consult a dermatologist before consenting to the procedure.