LASER/ IPL TREATMENTS FOR ACNE CLEARANCE
LASER TREATMENTS FOR ACNE CLEARANCE & DOES IT WORK?
Acne is a common problem in adolescents and younger adults. Although I say a “common problem” when you suffer from acne it certainly makes you feel quite isolated and alone. Another common misconception is that acne only affects teenagers, but more than ever before, adults are suffering with oily and acneic skin conditions.
Clinical studies indicate that between 40 and 55% of the adult population in the 20-40 age group are diagnosed with a low grade, persistent acne and oily skin.
According to the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, 54% of women older than the age 25 have some facial acne, which is most likely attributed to hormonal fluctuations that trigger excess sebum resulting in acne.
Acne arising in adulthood is more likely to be inflammatory, with fewer blackheads than teenage adult and with the spots mainly located around the mouth, chin and jaw line.
Adults will often have sensitized skin or a combination of skin conditions in addition to their acne, which makes treatment more challenging with solely the use of creams .
WHAT ARE THE TRIGGERS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO ACNE?
The primary catalyst of adult acne is chronic stress, balancing personal and professional responsibilities makes this generation of adults the most time- compressed generation in history. This leads to chronic stress, when you are under constant, continued and heightened levels of stress that throws your adrenal glands into over drive which in turn can boast sebum production, setting the stage for acne development.
While stress creates the trigger for acne, there are 4 main factors that contribute to the development of acne
1 – Overactive sebaceous glands (the production of too much oil)
2 – Dead skin build up
3 – Bacteria
4 – Inflammation
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP TREAT, CLEAR AND PREVENT ADULT ACNE?
In order to control acne, we must interrupt the degeneration of the follicle by affecting the 4 main contributing factors.
There are 5 different kinds of acne and the Ellipse can treat 3 of them
1 – ACNE VULGARIS Clogging of the hair follicles that leads to unsightly and sometimes painful skin lesions and pimples.
2 – ACNE CONGLOBATA Covers the back chest and buttocks with spots and nodules which might cause a severe bacterial infection as well as extensive scarring.
3 – ACNE ROSACEA An inflammation of face, neck and chest.
HOW??
The Ellipise treatment reduces the blood supply to the sebaceous gland, slowing down the production of sebum. To do this short, safe burst of intense pulsed light is directed at the skin. The systems filters the light to ensure the wavelengths used are absorbed by the blood in the fine blood vessels that supply the sebaceous glands.
Basic terms the Ellipise treatment will reduce the oil glands by attacking the blood supply and also kills of bacteria on the skin.
To maximize the effect, Ellipise IPL treatment is used in conjunction with the drug ADAPALENE. Adapalene is the active substance in the products marketed as Redap and Differin. These products are available as a cream or gel, they work by normalizing the cells and also have anti-inflammatory properties.
They should be applied to the skin once daily before sleeping and when used in combination with Ellipise , adapalene should be given for up to 4 weeks prior to treatment as the effect is to normalize the skins thickness allowing greater light penetration. Therefore better results!
An exfoliating facial one month pior to treatment can also be helpful.
HOW LONG DOES AN ELLIPISE TREATMENT TAKE?
It takes approximately 45 minutes to treat the full face , including consultation and preparation, a typical course of therapy is 4 treatments , a month apart
The treatment is practically pain free, like a flick from a rubber band followed by a sensation similar to the feeling of gentle warmth after a day on the beach.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
You may notice some general redness on the face .