Your Skin

WHAT IS ACNE?

Acne (acne vulgaris) is a skin condition that causes great distress to many people. The good news is that it is treatable and help is at hand. There are treatments available both for “active” acne where there is evidence of inflammation and infection as well as for the scarring that occurs from “chronic” acne. Your doctor can make recommendations that are moist suited to your skin as well as the severity of your condition. We at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre provide treatment options to accommodate your lifestyle and skin requirements. These treatments range from the most basic regimes using appropriate skin care products through to laser treatments that can treat both active acne as well as scars left by acne

WHAT CAUSES ACNE?

Acne is caused by changes in components of the skin structure, in particular the hair follicles and their associated sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands also occur in hairless areas of the skin. In all our skins, sebum is generally deposited on the hairs inside the follicles, which rises to the surface of the skin along the hair shaft. In hairless areas sebum rises to the surface through ducts. Sebum acts as a lubricant for the skin and hair, but the skin of some people produces excessive sebum, which may be brought about by poor hygiene, or accelerated glandular activity, e.g. during adolescence or pregnancy. Excessive sebum plays a role in the causation of acne.

Inflamed hair follicles are characterized by black - and whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and even cysts and lesions.  Acne lesions are most common on the face and upper neck, but are also found on the scalp, shoulders, back, chest and arms. 

Although acne usually occurs during adolescence (research has shown that approximately 85% of teenagers develop acne), many adults worldwide continue to suffer from this disease well into their forties and even fifties.

Other factors that play a role in the occurrence of acne include the following:

• Diet 
  The debate continues on the relation of diet to acne, but the most recent research indicates that acne sufferers should experiment with their diets and not consume foods that aggravate their skin condition. 
  This is too American and we need more basic food info
  Diets that are rich in high-GI (high-glycemic) foods can also aggravate acne. Foods containing white flour and refined sugars (typical of take-away food) produce an overload of metabolical glucose which affects the fat uptake in sebaceous glands. Although further research is still needed to prove that high-GI foods have a direct influence on skin conditions, avoiding these foods definitely benefits one’s overall general health. A high-protein, low-GI diet has been shown to reduce moderate facial acne.

  Read more on diet in our Wellness section.

• Hygiene
  Blocked pores due to oil build-up and dead skin cells can cause acne and it is therefore recommended to wash off old oil and help unblock the pores. Your Aesthetic Specialist at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre can prescribe the correct skin cleansers that have been proven to have the least influence on the PH-balance of the skin. Beyond the use of a cleanser it is vital that you apply the skin care products that are appropriate for your skin. Your Aesthetic Specialist at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre will recommend skin care products that will help to treat the active acne and at the same time will limit and prevent the further development of active acne.
• Hormonal activity
  Hormonal activity, e.g. during puberty and menstrual cycles, can cause glands to produce more sebum, resulting in acne. Hormonal treatments can prevent acne in females.
• Vitamin deficiency
  A common deficiency in acne sufferers is low levels of vitamins A and E.
• Genes 
  Acne tends to run in families.
• Chemicals
  Anabolic steroids or medication containing lithium, barbiturates or androgens, as well as corticosteroids and anti-epilepsy drugs have been linked to acne. When you consult your doctor, do not forget to alert him or her to the medication that you may be taking that could be aggravating your acne.
• The Sun 
  It is very important to wear a good sunscreen before going outdoors as there are many harmful ultraviolet rays that damage the skin. Your Aesthetic Specialist at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre will recommend skin care products that contain sunscreen.

TREATMENTS FOR ACNE

The following treatment options are available:

• Topical applications available as over-the-counter products; 
  
• Oral medication such as antibiotics and Roaccutane that must be prescribed by your doctor; 
  
• Skin care products such as those sold by The Melrose Aesthetic Centre. We have two   
  ranges of skin care products that are very effective in treating acne. These are the is 
  Clinical® range from the USA and the SkinTech® range from Spain; 
  
• Skin care supplements such as Zincel C®; 
  
• Microdermabrasion treatment; 
  
• Chemical peeling such as TCA peels for active acne and for scarring when combined with sandabrasion; 
  
• Laser treatment of active acne using Sciton Thermascan technology; 
  
• Laser treatment of acne scarring using Sciton Profractional technology.

OVER THE COUNTER

There are many over-the-counter treatments available, usually containing benzoyl peroxide or salycilic acid that reduce acne lesions. It is, however, imperative that you use the products that are appropriate for your skin type and condition. Consult a doctor to ensure that your skin receives the very best possible care.

MICRODERMABRASION TREATMENT

The Melrose Aesthetic Centre does not offer microdermabrasion. Superficial peeling with alpha hydroxy acids is, however, a more effective treatment, as are the various laser treatments that we offer (Sciton Thermascan and Sciton Profractional treatments).

FAQs about MICRODERMABRASION

What does Microdermabrasion Laser treatment do?

Microdermabrasion (also referred to as “the lunchtime peal” as there is minimal redness and recovery is fast) uses aluminium-oxide crystals that pass through a vacuum scraping away the skin cells on the surface of the skin and stimulating new skin growth. This treatment is suitable for mild acne scarring.

How many treatments are necessary?

Your Aesthetic Specialist will recommend which options are suitable for your particular case. Most patients will see results after the first two treatments, but many physicians suggest six to ten treatments spaced two weeks apart to give the skin enough time to heal. Thereafter you may need to schedule a treatment once every two to three months to maintain the effects.

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