Acne:  What To Do Regardless of Age

Last week, my blog post concentrated on acne causes and other facts.  I also discussed the nasty problem of adult acne that seems to be increasing in frequency in recent years.  This week, I will discuss more treatments and new developments of this difficult problem.

In past decades, acne treatment was very singular in focus, meaning that only one type of remedy was used at a time.  Such a medication concentrated on treating only one aspect of the many causes of acne.  Recently, the latest philosophy is to attack acne on all fronts, and understandably so.  Current topical therapies that work best use combinations of ingredients to keep the acne in check.  These combined elements help to stop bacterial growth and reduce inflammation, sebum (oily matter in the hair follicles) production, & skin cell proliferation.

The best products for acne contain a combination of ingredients including retinols (that clear pores of excess cells and oil which can form pimples), benzoyl peroxide (that kills bacteria and increases oxygen into pores), salicylic acid (that kills bacteria and exfoliates) and glycolic acid (that eliminates old skin cells and fights inflammation).  The acne products I recommend contain these ingrediants in various combinations.  Maine Laser Skin Care’s own Acne Kits contain instructions on how and when to use the products and in what amounts.

For some acne patients, it may be necessary to use oral antibiotics to attack bacteria from the inside out.  Doxycycline and tetracycline are among the most common prescriptions that work for acne.  These antibiotics directly combat bacteria that feed off the oil and dead skin cells, and therefore treat and prevent pimples.

For many acne sufferers, topical products and antibiotics are not, by themselves, enough.  In 2002, the FDA approved the use of lasers to treat acne.  Since 2003, I have been using the 532 nanometer Aura Iridex laser to treat acne with excellent results.  This laser treats the root cause by destoring bacteria, shrinking oil glands and reducing pore size without damaging surrounding tissue.  Using the initial four treatment protocol over a period of two weeks can reduce active acne by as much as 70%.  Old and new acne scarring can be eliminated or significantly reduced by using a combination of several lasers that can target both superficial and deeper scars.  While the deepest scars will never completely go away, they can become much less prominent and can blend more easily into the person’s skin tone and complexion.

I am also looking to add to my regimen of acne treatments in the next year.  The most likely to be added soon is Photodynamic Therapy (or PDT) which involves the use of a topical prescription called Levulan.  Levulan highlights oil glands allowing the laser light to penetrate and destroy overactive glands also destroying bacteria.  PDT helps to treat severe cystic acne, acne rosacea, and even some types of skin cancer.  Another new treatment is the use of LED light for less severe acne cases (Blue Light is one brand name I have been looking at) with or without the use of Levulan or PDT.

When new treatments are available, I will let you know by this blog as well as adding the information to the website.  If you have any specific questions about these or any other skin care issues, call our office at (207) 873-2158 or email through our website.

This entry was originally written as an e-newsletter exclusively for our subscribers on March 28, 2008.  The following information has been edited to illiminate dated references, but the main points of the article remain unchanged.  As always, feel free to contact us with any questions, or post any comments (within reason) you may have:

The Basics of Botox

I’m sure all my patients have heard about Botox from various sources ranging from newspapers to late night monologues.  However, I still get a lot of questions from patients wondering about side effects, long term damage or lack thereof, and perhaps most importantly, if Botox is right for them.
 
To make it simple for everyone, I have compiled a Top Ten list of every basic thing one should know about Botox:

1.)  Botox, by definition, is a simple injectable treatment that creates a temporary smoothed and improved appearance in areas of wrinkle-causing muscles of the upper face.

2.)  The wrinkle smoothing effect lasts for 3 months with initial treatments, but can last longer in future treatments.

3.)  Botox was approved by the FDA in 2002 for treatment of moderate to severe “frown lines”. 

4.)  Botox is safely approved for use around the world in more than 75 countries.

5.)  Since 2002, more than 13 million Botox cosmetic procedures have been performed in the world.

6.)  Surveys show that 97% of Botox patients are definitely satisfied with their treatments.

7.)  Botox is becoming increasingly popular each year with more than 3 million treatments in 2006 alone.  This means it’s not just for celebrities and millionaires anymore.

8.)  Botox is also used for other medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), blepharospasm (eyelid spasm), migraines and muscle spasms associated with strokes.

9.)  Botox is only approved for use by licensed doctors who have been fully trained in its use and in the anatomy of the facial muscles.

10.)  I, Dr. Burke, have been injecting Botox since 2004 and am one of the most frequent practitioners in its use in Maine.  I have treated hundreds of patients over that time frame and the patients treated literally double every year.  I am certified in both cosmetic and hyperhidrosis (one of two doctors in Maine who use Botox for this purpose) uses of Botox.

The above list is, of course, a basic rundown of what Botox treatments are all about.  I am always available to answer any questions you may have which the list did not cover. 

Thanks again for reading this and for your overall support, and more pertinent information will be coming to you soon.

This entry was originally written as an e-newsletter exclusively for our subscribers on January 25, 2008.  The following information is posted here just as it was before.  As always, feel free to contact us with any questions, or post any comments (within reason) you may have:

One of the most common questions I receive from many of my patients is, “How can I get rid of those dark circles under my eyes?”.  This question is common all year round, but especially in the winter when the skin surrounding the eyes becomes more pale, making the dark circles appear even more prominent as a result.

These dark circles make the face look older and generally detract from your overall appearance.  Needless to say, they also make the eyes look more tired.  However, despite common thinking, dark circles do not result from lack of sleep.  They are really caused by extra blood vessels that develop beneath the thinner skin of the area under the eyes.

Vitamin K Creme, with its beneficial effects on blood vessels, can effectively diminish the dark circles by constricting the blood vessels and making them less visible.  I recommend applying Vitamin K Creme under the eyes twice a day.  Doing this can result in visible improvement within just two to three weeks.  Once the areas look better to your satisfaction, one application a day (usually at bedtime) is sufficient to maintain the noticeably healthier skin.

I hope thie information helps you, your family, and your friends.  As always, be sure to check out our website for more helpful information on this and other skin care concerns and solutions.  Thank you as always for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Dr. John Burke