— Acne Treatment —

Some acne may be linked to a condition called Rosacea and treatment for this can involve nutritional supplements, prescribed topical preparations or oral antibiotics, and energy-based treatments.

General skin care.
There is only a small contribution of hygiene to acne, and although meticulous cleansing, toning and moisturising will help acne-prone skin, it is not the entire answer. Steaming acne-prone skin or using very hot water for cleansing can worsen acne. Harsh medicated products should also be avoided unless necessary.

General health care.
When the body is run down it shows first on the largest organ, the skin. Stress, unhappiness, illness, operations, poor diet and poor sleep all lead to a worsening of acne. Therefore those factors that can be changed for the better should be changed. Regular exercise and daily breathing exercises are important, and relaxation or meditation techniques may help reduce stress or tension.

Diet.
Diet is an important factor in acne, as many vitamins are required for healthy skin. Most people are aware that eating sweet and fatty foods usually worsens acne, however, most people are unaware of other food groups that present a problem to acne sufferers. Dairy foods are the most important to avoid, with chocolate of course being the worst food. This means an alternate source of calcium is necessary, and meat and meat extracts are the easiest sources of this mineral. Also to be avoided are foods high in oxalates such as spinach and rhubarb. Oxalates combine with certain minerals to cause imbalances. Certain minerals and vitamins are often lacking when acne is present, and supplementation with zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin B, especially B5, is helpful. Fish, especially salmon, and vegetables, especially other leafy green vegetables are particularly good choices for acne sufferers, as are other foods rich in beta carotene, such as carrots, apricots, and yellow peppers. Oranges, Strawberries and tomatoes only present minor problems with acne because of their oxalate content, but large amounts of these foods may pose a problem. As with other healthy diets, a good water intake is beneficial, and a reduction in tea and coffee is advisable.

Anti acne medications.
Keratolysis or exfoliation, followed by comedolysis, is indicated primarily in acne where there are blackheads and whiteheads in abundance. However, these agents can be employed as a basic therapeutic agent in any form of acne, since blackheads and whiteheads are always present as primary acne lesions. Agents which dissolve keratin and blackheads and whiteheads include alpha hydroxy acids (fruit acids) and beta hydroxy acids, in the form of home, salon, or surgery treatment, available at this clinic. Often a homecare preparation containing around 15% AHAs will be adequate to control acne, although some people benefit further from more acidic preparations of AHAs which are only used under professional supervision.

Hormones.

At around 8 years of age sex hormones are produced by the adrenal glands and imbalances can cause acne.  Hormonal treatment is usually only suitable for females, but it is possible to change the pattern of sebum production, therefore benefiting acne. Changing the balance between estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can also be useful. A Medical Practitioner can offer a greater range of treatments to assist with acne.

Benzoylperoxide.
Benxoylperoxide is an exfoliating agent, which combats sebaceous gland blockage and oil trapping and also inhibits the growth of certain bacteria. Considerable irritation also occurs under treatment with benzoylperoxide, although it is not as pronounced as when very oily skin is treated. Too intensive use can lead to unpleasant shedding of the skin, which requires moisturising. Benzoylperoxide is present in most commercial ‘pimple killers’.

Vitamin A preparations.
Vitamin A acid acts by promoting the growth of healing skin. The cells regenerate more quickly, becoming more normal, and leaving no space for blackheads and whiteheads. Sometimes the vitamin irritates the skin excessively, but the results are ultimately worth the trouble. Vitamin A is available for topical use in various preparations.

Vitamin B3 Preparations

Several of the B vitamins are useful on the skin.

Niacinamide can inhibit inflammation within the skin, which reduces a lot of damage to the skin.  Because of vitamin B3 derivatives’ anti-inflammatory effects topical niacinamide-based products are extremely useful in treating acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and general skin redness, yellowing of the skin, excessive sebum, large pore size, fine lines and wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.   It also seems to improve moisturisation, barrier effectiveness, and elasticity and prevent UV-induced immunosuppression, and control sebum production. 

Niacinamide is the most commonly used form of B3 and the least irritating.

It penetrates the skin readily.  Niacinamide has an antiageing effect as it is converted to Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH) and Dihydronicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in the skin.  These two cofactors decline with age, and are required for important functions such as the manufacture of ceramides.

Killing bacteria is most useful when there are pustules present. Antimicrobial agents are employed either topically or systemically (orally). In both cases, preparations are chosen that display good long-term tolerance, a low risk of sensitisation, and low resistance development by the pathogens. An additional anti-inflammatory effect is assumed in addition to the bacteriostatic effect.

Laser & LED.
This involves the use of light technology applied to the skin.  There are many variations of this that are useful for severe active and cystic acne.  The light destroys the acne bacteria (propionibacteria) after a series of treatments.  At Restoration Clinic we use our LED alongside many of our treatments because it improves the outcomes of most of the tissue-stimulating or regenerating treatments.

Radiofrequency.

Coagulation removal of comedones can be done in some cases where there are discreet large lesions.

Chemical peeling.
Where scarring has already occurred, gradual improvement can be achieved with nontraumatic alpha hydroxy acid peeling. This imperceptibly removes the layers of skin containing the scarring, and excellent resurfacing can be achieved with minimal inconvenience.  Stronger peels such as Jessner & TCA can bring faster results.

Doctors at Restoration Clinic may suggest treatments in either topical or oral form to treat your acne, and there is a more powerful treatment, normally available by dermatologists that profoundly suppresses sebum production. It also suppresses blackhead and whitehead production and is anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic.

Microdermabrasion & Hydrodermabrasion

This treatment improves acne by polishing off the dead cells on the surface and cleaning out the sebaceous glands with suction.

Skin Needling

Skin needling is very useful to resurface acne scars but multiple treatments are generally necessary.

Tips & Tricks to minimise acne

• Wash the face with warm water and a soft face cloth to remove oil.

• Avoid brash soaps, using gentle face washes if desired.

• A cleanser with salicylic acid will take away any oily feeling

• Avoid abrasive scrubs, toners, and cleansers

• Avoid oily cosmetics or sunscreens

• Avoid squeezing or picking lesions as this causes inflammation and increases the risk of scarring

• Avoid tight clothing or hats in acne-prone areas.

• Avoid humidity if possible

• Follow a well-balanced, low GI diet with regular exercise

Our doctors and nurses can offer a thorough assessment and treatment program to do everything possible to improve your acne.