Acne

Acne Problems, Cures and Treatments

 

Are Acne treatments available at all Skin Renewal branches ?

AcneTreatments and Products are available in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and Cape Town

What is Acne?

Acne vulgaris, the most common skin disorder, affects virtually all individuals at least once. Acne mainly affects the following areas: face, neck, upper trunk, shoulders and proximal arms. Incidence peaks in 18-year-olds, but substantial numbers of 20- to 40-year-olds also develop the disease.
Adolescent boys and young men are more likely to have acne than their female counterparts and make up the majority of severe scarring cases.
Women are more likely to suffer from ongoing acne that commences or reappears during their early adult years. Around 8 % of women have acne persisting into their 30’s and in some it continues into their 40s and occasionally 50s. Why this occurs is poorly understood but may be related to hormones, childbirth, menopause, or stopping the pill. Adult women may be treated at the period and at ovulation when acne is especially severe, or throughout the entire cycle
There is also a subset of women with “true” hormonal acne who have abnormal levels of androgenic (male-type) hormones. These women often have accompanying excess facial hair (also hormonally regulated) and irregular menstrual cycles, although women who have normal hormone levels may also have excess hair. The sebaceous glands of patients with acne are likely to be hypersensitive to androgens (male-type) hormones.

What are the important psychological aspects of acne?

The effects of acne should not be underestimated. It can persist for years; produce disfigurement and permanent scarring; and have significant psychosocial consequences, including diminished self-esteem, embarrassment, social withdrawal, depression, anxiety and unemployment. The extent and severity of these effects underline the importance of providing adequate therapy, such as the new launched Clarity range by Lamelle which produces more than 80 % improvement in 8 weeks in most cases.

What are the causes of acne?

The two main causes of acne are blockage of the pores and bacterial growth. Oil and cells get trapped below the surface of the skin, creating a growth medium for the bacteria. White cells migrate to the site to fight the bacteria, in turn releasing chemicals that lead to swelling, redness and further attraction of white cells (inflammation). The result is a dilated pore, filled with white cells, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory chemicals and bacteria. This is the content of the acne pimple.
Pathogenesis - summary
Acne is a complex disease with multifactorial pathogenesis and considerable variation in severity.

Therapy such as the Clarity range by Lamelle is directed at multiple factors and modified for individual patients. Acne is a disorder of the sebaceous follicles, which are special units located on the face, neck, chest, upper back, and upper arms. These units consist of relatively large sebaceous glands associated with small hair follicles.

Acne arises from the interaction of 4 factors:

1. Comedogenesis—. The first sign of altered  keratinization is a blackhead which consists of keratinized material and lipid material.  This Abnormal  Keratinization  results in formation of keratin plugs which blocks off the drainage of the sebaceous follicles, leading to accumulation of inflammatory debris and increased bacterial numbers of P acnes.
2. Excessive sebum production caused by androgenic hormonal  stimulation of sebaceous glands at puberty or later (hormonal triggers).
3. Proliferation of P acnes in this blocked follicle.
4. Inflammation is a direct or indirect result of P acnes proliferation. Rupture of the inflammatory follicle onto the skin results in the redness around the acne lesion . Extension of inflammation into the skin results in formation of the inflammatory lesions of acne —papules, pustules, and nodules. The result is redness and pus.

What are additional  causes that have been associated with the development of acne?

•    Hormones; In both men and women, the androgen hormones are present in much higher concentrations at puberty and acne results. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS leads to higher levels of male hormones which can cause acne
•    Genetic factors (family members have bad acne)
•    Flare Factors for acne are: stress and depression, menses and puberty (new onset hormones).
•    Environmental factors such as high humidity causing swelling of the skin
•    Diet:  In a recent study, a diet high in beef and with a low GI was associated with a clinically significant improvement in acne irrespective of its severity.
•    Cosmetics especially certain moisturizers and foundations.
Skin care ingredients to AVOID  if you have acne: cinnamon oil, cocoa butter, cocus nucifera, isoprpopyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl myristate, butyl stearate, isostearyl neopentanoate, myristyl myristate, octyl palmitate, isocetyl srearate, propylene glycol 2, myristyl propionate, lanolin, peppermint oil,  decyl oleate, octyl stearate

How can acne be classified?

Acne can be classified as mild, moderate or severe inflammatory acne and is based on lesion count and whether nodules are present.

•    Mild to moderate acne has none or a few nodules present in the skin
•    Severe acne has many papules, pustules and nodules present in the skin
This severe acne may be more common in males and this kind of acne should be referred to a Skin Renewal doctor as scarring is inevitable.

How is acne treated at Skin Renewal Clinics?

At Skin Renewal clinics we offer topical and in-office therapies for acne .
Topical therapies include Clarity, Neostrata, Nimue and Dermalogica Medi Bac acne range as well as Anti biotics and prescription medicines if indicated.
Skin Renewal latest treatment is the Clarity acne range - by Lamelle which is available at all Skin Renewal branches.

What are the goals of successful acne topical treatments such as Clarity ?

The goals of acne treatment are to:
•    lessen physical discomfort from inflamed acne lesions,
•    improve appearance
•    prevent or minimize potential adverse psychological effects,
•    minimize any scarring
•    treating lesions and preventing new lesions from developing.

Topical treatment – Clarity is indicated for patients with non inflammatory comedones or mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Medications used in topical treatment may act primarily against comedones (comedolytic agents) or inflammatory lesions (antibacterial agents and antibiotics). A principal goal of therapy should be reduction or elimination of the precursor of all acne lesions— microcomedones.

What topical therapies MUST be combined with  Skin Renewal Treatments  for optimal results ?

Skin Renewal is pleased to introduce an innovative acne range -  Clarity by Lamelle which is available at all Skin Renewal branches. Most skincare ranges try to manage acne with varying success. Clarity by Lamelle addresses this problem with the “inside- out” principle that incorporates a topical treatment range together with an oral supplement. The Clarity range incorporates specialized and encapsulated ingredients to synergistically address the four primary factors associated with acne as well as the secondary concerns that include dark marks, scarring , skin dryness and sensitivity.

What makes Clarity by Lamelle an innovative first for acne?

There are many products on the market for the management of the condition known as acne vulgaris. There are four key primary pathways involved in the development of acne, and most products try to address these 4 factors with varying success.

• Clarity by Lamelle introduces an inside-out approach to problematic skin by the synergistic use of both oral therapy- Acnevelle and topical therapy - Clarity ™ for the management of acne.
• Aimed at specifically the mild to moderate inflammatory acne patient, the combination approach promises to revolutionize the management of acne at the skin professional level.
• Acnevelle oral therapy changes the rules of the game completely. Regarded as a complementary medicine, Acnevelle has proven efficacy in the management of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.  Patients taking the capsules showed an 85% improvement in their condition after just 8 weeks of supplementation The synergistic blend of high dose Nicotinamide and Zinc complexed with Picolinic acid make a very powerful anti-inflammatory combination. This supplement MUST be used in conjunction with Clarity to optimize outcomes. Without the concurrent use of the Clarity range of products, efficiency will be less.
• Clarity ™, the topical range   has been developed to be user friendly yet as powerful as possible. A few significant product ‘firsts’ really make the range stand out from the crowd.

Why is Clarity ™, the topical acne range so different?

•    The first acne range to make use of encapsulated Salicylic acid.
•    The first acne range to use encapsulated Azelaic acid, an agent widely used in acne therapy, but never in cosmeceuticals due to its instability.
•    The first acne range to use encapsulated Retinaldehyde, a retinoid similar to prescription vitamin A but with less irritation. It too has been encapsulated for enhanced stability and effect.
•    The first acne range to use the powerful Lactoferrin protein which is found in tears and breast milk; Lactoferrin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial peptide that boosts the body’s immune system to the acne insult.
•    The first acne range to use ‘medicinal’ dose of topical nicotinamide to reduce the number of P.Acnes bacteria in the skin.
•    The first acne range to address all 4 triggers of acne as well as the three complications; scarring, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and impaired barrier function.
•    The first acne range to include Nobel Prize winning recombinant human growth factors to accelerate healing of the acne lesions.

All in all, Clarity ™ is another innovative first from Lamelle.

What do the Clarity Products available at all Skin Renewal branches consist of ?

Topical Therapy  :

Active Cleanse used twice a day
Corrective AM Tea tree oil
Corrective PM plus Retinaldehyde
Active control Nicotinamide used twice per day

Oral Therapy:

Acnevelle capsules containing Nicotinamide and  Zinc Picolinic acid twice per day

What are the In Office treatments available at Skin Renewal to improve and the post healing acne scarring?

Treatments available at Skin Renewal to treat acne and improve results:
•    Deep Cleanse Facials are cleansing facials which are prescribed every to remove pustules and comedones so as to  facilitate healing of the acne condition with as little damage to the skin as possible
•    The Acne Plus Facial treats  problematic skin such as acne using a combination of Beta Plus peels ( Salicylic Acid)  , Purity Clay mask and a Retinol serum which address the triggers for acne and ongoing oil production
•    The Laser Genesis procedure , a 5 in one treatment , reduces the size of the sebaceous gland, reduces inflammation in the papule and nodule , reduces pore size, improves acne scarring and pigmentation-.
•    10 or 15 % TCA Peel overlays to the affected areas improves the active acne lesion as well as improving PIH and acne scarring.
•    PDT photo dynamic therapy uses red and blue light therapy to improve acne by  destroying  bacteria and reducing inflammation in the acne lesion
•    Carboxytherapy  around acne lesions / into acne scars reduces the acne lesion and improves the acne scarring
•    Intralesional  steroids into acne nodules reduces the acne lesion by decreasing inflammation.
•    For more severe nodular acne, PDT/ALA therapy may be recommended
As each patient's case is different we will tailor a treatment program specifically for your circumstances and budget.  A highly professional team led by a medical doctor assesses every patient and an appropriate combination treatment together with long term maintenance program is recommended.
Nodular /Severe acne must be seen by a medical doctor at Skin Renewal for further
assessment and work up

Are Acne treatments available at all Skin Renewal branches ?

AcneTreatments and Products are available in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and Cape Town at the Rivonia, Parkhurst, Sandton, Fourways, Irene, Cape Quarter, Claremont and Willowbridge branches

Skin Renewal Tip.

At Skin Renewal we pride ourselves on visible results. As an aesthetic clinic we offer problem specific add on treatments as an addition to our peels to ensure amazing results.  If you feel that your skin requires more intensive treatments please schedule an appointment with the aesthetic doctor to determine which medical aesthetic treatment should be prescribed.  Every client is provided with a fully customised solution dependant on the patient’s age, relevant skin problem, budget and expectations.
Mild acne can be treated with the Clarity range which is available at all Skin Renewal branches. For mild acne a doctors consultation is not necessary and the Clarity range and Acnevelle may be purchased from the skin professionals at all Skin Renewal branches.
If you suffer from moderate to severe acne ( many nodules)  a consultation with one of the Skin Renewal doctors is necessary as a customized program and additional prescription medications may need to be prescribed.