Acne in Dark Skin Types

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At Skin Renewal all patients with skin conditions are treated holistically by our qualified medical doctors who have experience in treating acne. In other words, in an acne consultation at Skin Renewal, your doctor will take a comprehensive history to ensure that there are no underlying medical conditions which are contributing to you acne.

Skin Renewal Tip

Dark skinned patients who are looking to treat acne with peels and lasers or lights would be well advised to consult with a medical doctor with experience in treating skin of colour to prevent unwanted effects such as full thickness burns, permanent scarring and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. At Skin Renewal hundreds of Patients with dark skin types have been treated. Every client is provided with a fully customised solution dependant on the patient’s age, relevant skin problem and skin type, budget and expectations.

Mild acne can be treated with the Clarity range which is available 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1

    Is treatment for acne in Dark Skin Types available at all Skin Renewal branches ?

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    Treatment for acne for dark skin is available in Johannesburg, Sandton and Pretoria at the Morningside, Parkhurst, Bedfordview, Fourways, West Rand, Illovo, Irene & Brooklyn branches as well as in the Western Cape at Cape Quarter, Claremont, Constantia, Stellenbosch and Willowbridge branches and KwaZulu Natal in Durban and Umhlanga

  • 2

    Why choose Skin Renewal for your acne treatments?

    Read More

    There are numerous significant medical conditions that are associated with acne that need to be identified and addressed. Conditions such as low stomach acid, dysbiosis and leaky gut all compromise skin but more importantly which have future health ramifications such as auto immune disease, food sensitivities, allergies, asthma, depression and even cancer if they are not adequately addressed.

    In addition, low stomach will eventually lead to low levels of Zinc and other important minerals and vitamins which are essential for good healthy skin.

  • 3

    Why does your Skin Renewal doctor check for low stomach acid during your consultation for acne?

    Read More

    At Skin Renewal, during your initial consultation with one of our qualified doctors, it may be advised that you are checked for low stomach acid thereafter a complimentary Betaine HCl acid test is explained and done.

    Because:

    • Adequate stomach acid is essential for absorption of the minerals zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron and folate which are essential for healthy skin.
    • Adequate Stomach acid prevents dysbiosis.
    • Adequate stomach acid will help prevent a "leaky gut "with all its health ramifications from developing.
  • 4

    Why is stomach acid important for health and skin conditions?

    Read More
    • Adequate stomach acid is essential for absorption of the minerals zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron and folate which are essential for healthy skin.
    • Adequate stomach acid is necessary for the absorption of the B vitamins.
    • Stomach acid activates protein-digesting enzymes and is necessary for proper digestion of protein.
    • Adequate stomach acid is necessary for the pancreas to release its cascade of digestive enzymes for absorption of carbohydrate and fat.
    • Sub-optimal fat digestion means we won't benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fats,nor the wide array of beneficial effects of fats for fertility, skin health, immunity, etc.
    • Adequate stomach acid destroys pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites etc) and a lack of stomach acid can lead to bad bacteria proliferating in the small intestine dysbiosis (bad bacteria) and unwanted parasites which have Health Renewal ramifications down the line.
  • 5

    How important is stomach acid?

    Read More

    How can we expect to stay healthy and have healthy skin without constant breakouts and other Skin, Body or Health Renewal conditions if we have chronically poor nutrient and mineral absorption due to incomplete digestion?

    Having normal levels of stomach function the first important domino in a row of dominos: If stomach acid is adequate, the rest of one's digestion and absorption won't be compromised and the first domino won't fall and immune dysfunction is less likely down the line.

    If digestion in the stomach is compromised due to low stomach acid, then the fall of the first domino will occur and the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the stomach and beyond won't be optimal. In fact, digestion and absorption can be reduced to the point where even if someone is consuming a nutrient-dense diet, they can suffer both sub-clinical and overt deficiencies because they're not assimilating those nutrients because they have low stomach acid. Get your stomach acid checked by our Skin Renewal Doctors.

  • 6

    How does acne affect dark skin types/ people of colour?

    Read More

    People of color are a very large group, which in South Africa includes people of African and Asian descent. It also includes patients of mixed backgrounds who have more darkly pigmented skin. Darker skin type people represent a significant and growing group of patients seeking aesthetic procedures. This is because of the increased awareness of safe, affordable aesthetic procedures. These procedures include amazing new lasers that are colour blind and are less invasive than previous generations of lasers. Yet special concerns have to be addressed when treating skin of color.

    Acne vulgaris, the most common skin disorder, affects virtually all individuals in all nationalities 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.

    In dark skin types, the biggest challenge is avoiding scars or marks from things such as acne and chicken pox that last for life as the pigment is so hyper-sensitive . When treating persons of color, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation PIH (brown spots after the acne blemishes have healed) and active acne need to be differentiated. It is important to note that when one is treating acne, the brown spots that occur afterwards are only residual effects, not active acne.

    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.

  • 7

    What are the important psychological aspects of acne in dark skin types?

    Read More

    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.

  • 8

    What are the causes of acne in dark skin types?

    Read More

    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.

  • 9

    How can acne be classified in dark skin types?

    Read More

    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.

  • 10

    How is acne treated at Skin Renewal ?

    Read More

    At Skin Renewal we offer topical and in office therapies for acne.

    Topical therapies: At Skin Renewal we offer traditional topical therapies with Neostrata, Health Renewal's Acne 2 in 1 as well as Antibiotics and prescription medicines if indicated as well as Clarity™ by Lamelle- available at all Skin Renewal branches.

  • 11

    What are the goals of successful acne topical treatments such as Clarity in dark skin types ?

    Read More

    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.

  • 12

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

    Read More

    Treatments available at Skin Renewal to treat acne and improve results in all skin types including dark skins:

    • 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 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 % 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.

    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

Treatment for acne for dark skin is available in Johannesburg, Sandton and Pretoria at the Morningside, Parkhurst, Bedfordview, Fourways, West Rand, Illovo, Irene & Brooklyn branches as well as in the Western Cape at Cape Quarter, Claremont, Constantia, Stellenbosch and Willowbridge branches and KwaZulu Natal in Durban and Umhlanga

There are numerous significant medical conditions that are associated with acne that need to be identified and addressed. Conditions such as low stomach acid, dysbiosis and leaky gut all compromise skin but more importantly which have future health ramifications such as auto immune disease, food sensitivities, allergies, asthma, depression and even cancer if they are not adequately addressed.

In addition, low stomach will eventually lead to low levels of Zinc and other important minerals and vitamins which are essential for good healthy skin.

At Skin Renewal, during your initial consultation with one of our qualified doctors, it may be advised that you are checked for low stomach acid thereafter a complimentary Betaine HCl acid test is explained and done.

Because:

  • Adequate stomach acid is essential for absorption of the minerals zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron and folate which are essential for healthy skin.
  • Adequate Stomach acid prevents dysbiosis.
  • Adequate stomach acid will help prevent a "leaky gut "with all its health ramifications from developing.
  • Adequate stomach acid is essential for absorption of the minerals zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron and folate which are essential for healthy skin.
  • Adequate stomach acid is necessary for the absorption of the B vitamins.
  • Stomach acid activates protein-digesting enzymes and is necessary for proper digestion of protein.
  • Adequate stomach acid is necessary for the pancreas to release its cascade of digestive enzymes for absorption of carbohydrate and fat.
  • Sub-optimal fat digestion means we won't benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fats,nor the wide array of beneficial effects of fats for fertility, skin health, immunity, etc.
  • Adequate stomach acid destroys pathogens (bacteria, fungi, parasites etc) and a lack of stomach acid can lead to bad bacteria proliferating in the small intestine dysbiosis (bad bacteria) and unwanted parasites which have Health Renewal ramifications down the line.

How can we expect to stay healthy and have healthy skin without constant breakouts and other Skin, Body or Health Renewal conditions if we have chronically poor nutrient and mineral absorption due to incomplete digestion?

Having normal levels of stomach function the first important domino in a row of dominos: If stomach acid is adequate, the rest of one's digestion and absorption won't be compromised and the first domino won't fall and immune dysfunction is less likely down the line.

If digestion in the stomach is compromised due to low stomach acid, then the fall of the first domino will occur and the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the stomach and beyond won't be optimal. In fact, digestion and absorption can be reduced to the point where even if someone is consuming a nutrient-dense diet, they can suffer both sub-clinical and overt deficiencies because they're not assimilating those nutrients because they have low stomach acid. Get your stomach acid checked by our Skin Renewal Doctors.

People of color are a very large group, which in South Africa includes people of African and Asian descent. It also includes patients of mixed backgrounds who have more darkly pigmented skin. Darker skin type people represent a significant and growing group of patients seeking aesthetic procedures. This is because of the increased awareness of safe, affordable aesthetic procedures. These procedures include amazing new lasers that are colour blind and are less invasive than previous generations of lasers. Yet special concerns have to be addressed when treating skin of color.

Acne vulgaris, the most common skin disorder, affects virtually all individuals in all nationalities 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.

In dark skin types, the biggest challenge is avoiding scars or marks from things such as acne and chicken pox that last for life as the pigment is so hyper-sensitive . When treating persons of color, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation PIH (brown spots after the acne blemishes have healed) and active acne need to be differentiated. It is important to note that when one is treating acne, the brown spots that occur afterwards are only residual effects, not active acne.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At Skin Renewal we offer topical and in office therapies for acne.

Topical therapies: At Skin Renewal we offer traditional topical therapies with Neostrata, Health Renewal's Acne 2 in 1 as well as Antibiotics and prescription medicines if indicated as well as Clarity™ by Lamelle- available at all Skin Renewal branches.

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.

Treatments available at Skin Renewal to treat acne and improve results in all skin types including dark skins:

  • 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 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 % 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.

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

Reviews

See all reviews
*Please note results may vary by individuals.
Review -Great Service!
Reviewed on 25 June 2015 by Thoko M
Skin Renewal Morningside Sandton

Pro-active staff. I came for a peel and staff arranged an appointment with the doctor> as well. I saved time and got what I needed.

Review -Beautiful Skin
Reviewed on 4 March 2015 by Virginia Mkhabela
Skin Renewal Fourways
Yellow Peel

The doctor examined my skin when I first came to Skin Renewal in March 2014 at the Fourways branch, and the prescription she made has worked wonderfully and my skin is currently looking healthy and beautiful. It seems like a miracle has transformed my skin. She is a very pleasant person and has advised me well. Nicole has also been my therapist, she has done incredibly well with my treatment and I will continue to do my treatments with her.

Review -Have been so happy
Reviewed on 19 October 2014 by Mrs A. T.
Skin Renewal Parkhurst
3D Skin Rejuvenation™

I have been so with Happy with the service and treatments done by my therapist, Kelly! I have been a client for two years and will continue with Kelly hopefully for along time. I enjoy every session!!!

Review -Candice has always been great!
Reviewed on 15 September 2014 by K.N from Skin Renewal Morningside
Skin Renewal Morningside Sandton
Laser Hair Removal

Candice has been a very accommodating and great through all my treatments especially during the painful times.

Review -Overall experience...amazing!
Reviewed on 4 September 2014 by Rumbi
Skin Renewal Morningside Sandton
Beta Hydroxy Peels

My overall experience at the Morningside Skin Renewal has been amazing. The treatments with beauty therapists who try to understand your skin and make suitable recommendations has been helpful. In my case, Bianca has been great. I enjoy my visits and treatments.

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