When to Consider Professional Acne Treatments

January 2, 2017 by A Younger You

Acne is a common condition for teenagers and adults. It occurs when the sebaceous glands of hair follicles and other pores become clogged with dirt and dead skin cells, allowing bacteria to form and causing inflammation. Many people use over-the-counter acne creams or facial scrubs, and some use prescription antibiotics and other medications. However, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for acne, and no treatment can cure it. However, professional Acne Treatments give you your best chance to have clear skin again.

During a consultation with our specialist, you may learn about your unique skin type. There are three main types of acne, and each requires a different treatment. Comedonal acne is the mildest type. It causes whiteheads and blackheads. With whiteheads, the pore is completely blocked, and with blackheads, the pore is only partially blocked and the color you see is melanin. This type is commonly seen on the nose, chin, and forehead.

The next type is inflammatory acne, and it develops in the area below the blackhead or whitehead. The area becomes inflamed and pustules and papules develop. Pustules are often called pimples or zits and can become large and painful. Papules are small bumps that develop when the follicle wall bursts.

The most severe type of acne is cystic acne, and it develops when a pimple becomes infected. This infection can go deep into the skin, causing large, pus-filled, red bumps that are painful and may itch. When a cyst bursts, it will spread the pus and may cause more infections. This type of acne is usually hereditary and if it is not treated, it may last for years. Cystic acne may cause serious scarring and usually will not respond to over-the-counter treatments, so professional acne treatments are the best option.

The most common professional acne treatments are:

• Chemical peels that are suitable for some types of acne may improve the appearance of your skin. A mild solution may be used to unclog pores and remove blackheads, whiteheads and dead skin cells. This will also generate new skin growth.
• Light therapy that kills certain types of bacteria.
• Microdermabrasion and micro-needling are commonly used to exfoliate the skin and stimulate the production of healthy skin tissue.

Depending on the method used, these treatments may:

• Extract your existing acne impactions
• Hydrate your skin so that your home-care regimen works better
• Kill the bacteria that are already inside your pores
• Exfoliate your skin so that your home-care regimen works better
• Lighten or completely removing dark spots left by acne lesions
• Remove acne scars

At A Younger You, we have many effective professional acne treatments available. Without proper treatment, permanent scars may develop as well as dark spots that last for years. When acne is professionally treated at our office in Burlington or Brookfield, it will help boost your self-esteem. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more!