Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting over 50 million Americans each year. That number includes 85% of all young adults and over 35% of adult women 25-50 years old.
Acne is a condition that primarily affects the hair follicles and oil glands within the skin. Frequently driven by hormone changes, the oil glands produce excessive amounts of oil or sebum.
This excess oil combined with dead skin cells and hair follicles leads to a plugging of the pores. The associated inflammation causes redness and swelling.
Then, skin bacteria grow and colonize the area. White blood cells attempting to fight off the bacteria flood the area, resulting in an accumulation of pus and the formation of the classic pimple.
There are many treatments for the various stages of acne. Selection of treatments depends on the severity of the acne and the sensitivity of the individual to the treatment itself.
Many treatments involve topical medications, while others may require oral pills such as antibiotics. All of these medicines can play a role in curbing the effects of acne, and combinations of options are frequently used.
Unfortunately, many people cannot tolerate many of the medications used to treat the various stages of the development of acne. Many topical therapies unfortunately cause excessive dryness and irritation.
Additionally, there has been a concerted movement away from antibiotics use due to bacterial resistance issues. Other very effective treatments like Accutane however have very serious potential side effects including birth defects and suicidal ideation, which patients and parents do not want to risk.
Fortunately, for patients of all ages and skin types, laser treatments for acne are safe, effective, and very tolerable. The specific laser wavelength we use here at Maine Laser Skin Care attacks the origins of acne at multiple epidermal levels.
During the course of a laser acne procedure, the specific laser wavelength deeply penetrates the skin to the level of the oil glands. The energy delivered decreases the activity of the oil gland, resulting in less sebum output.
The laser beam also decreases local skin inflammation, and the heat produced within the skin destroys the colonizing bacteria. The overall effect is to reduce pore size, unblock pores, and produce more clearance of acne breakouts.
We have had great success with our acne treatment protocols. Our patients have found that they need to use less topical and oral medicine overall.
Women particularly find that they able to apply less makeup following a laser treatment. Plus, the makeup that they do use goes on their skin more smoothly.
Ultimately, the improvement of acne appearance results in less social anxiety and withdrawal. Longer term, we also see less acne-related pigmentation and scarring.
During the course of your initial consultation with Maine Laser Skin Care, we will evaluate your current medication and make appropriate adjustments as needed. We frequently work with local dermatologists to reduce medication and provide the best outcomes.
Call us either in Scarborough at (207) 303-0125 or in Augusta at (207) 873-2158 for your free, confidential consultation and skin analysis. Our motto remains to “Beautify Maine One Face (and Body) At A Time.”