Acne is one of the misfortunes of adolescence. For some people, skin blemishes occur in adult life as well. While not life-threatening, acne can leave lifelong emotional and physical scars: a reminder of the embarrassment and self-consciousness that came with the pimples. Approximately 90% of all adolescents and 25% of all adults experience acne at some point in their lives.
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to treat. Traditional therapies (see below) have a variety of side effects and sometimes require months to work. Some prescription creams and lotions can cause redness and irritation. Oral antibiotics can cause stomach upset, light sensitivity and yeast infections in women. Further, studies indicate that about 40% of skin bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, making them a doubtful ally in the fight against skin breakouts.
Silhouette now has two NEW options available for the treatment of acne:
An effective new light-based therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of acne for teens as well as adults. BLU-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy destroys the most common bacteria that cause acne – without drugs, without pain and without downtime. The Blue-Light system was the first medical device to receive FDA clearance in 2003 for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgarism.
The BLU-U is a special blue light that can kill the p. acnes bacteria in your skin. You simply sit with your face close to the light for a short time (usually 30-minutes, once per week) at a schedule set up by your Skin Care Consultant. The treatments may go on for five or so weeks. After treatment, the common result is long lasting clear skin.
Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is the most recent advance in acne therapy. Photodynamic acne therapy involves the application of Levulan ( 5-aminolevulinic acid), a photosensitizing agent, which is then activated by the BLU-U. This results in significant improvement in moderate to severe cystic acne.
Levulan acne treatment involves three mechanisms of action against acne. The application of Levulan inactivates the bacteria that trigger acne, exfoliates the skin to unclog pores, and the most exciting mechanism is that Levulan treatment shuts down the sebaceous glands in the skin; sebaceous glands are the root cause in the formation of acne, so this treatment has been known to produce great results even on severe acne.
Levulan acne therapy can even work on patients who have failed to see changes from Accutane (an oral medication). Accutane also targets the sebaceous gland but has fairly toxic side effects and health risks. Levulan is a very safe alternative.
For more information on Levulan and Photodynamic therapy please see: IPL/Photorejevenation.
Some traditional acne treatments include:
Topical Antibiotics: These “prescription-only” products help fight acne by killing the bacteria that infect the pores. However, acne may become resistant to the antibiotics, rendering them useless. Side effects can include: dry, red skin and an increase in sun sensitivity.
Oral Antibiotics: These systemic medications affect the entire body and therefore can cause serious side effects. Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline, need to be taken on an empty stomach. Side effects can include: nausea and dizziness.
Vitamin A Derivatives: These retinoid medications prevent skin cells from clumping together and encourage shedding. Usually applied once a day, these medications can increase sensitivity to the sun, so it’s important that patients use sunscreen. Other side effects can include: dryness, redness and irritation. Common Vitamin A derivatives include Retin-A, Differin and Tazorac. One particular retinoid, Accutane, has been shown to cause more serious side effects, including psychological disorders and, in rare cases, birth defects. Sexually active women who take this medication must use contraception during treatment and have monthly lab work performed.
Birth Control Pills: These are prescribed for women who have flare-ups that occur at the same time each month during the menstrual cycle. The pills help control the hormones that prompt oil production in the skin. Women should consult their physician to determine which birth control pills are most appropriate for their particular skin condition(s).
