Acne
Acne is the term for the blocked pores (blackheads
and whiteheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that can
appear typically on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper
arms. Acne is the
most common skin disease in the country. While it affects mostly
teenagers, and almost all teenagers have some form of acne, adults of
any age can have it. Acne is not life-threatening, but it can cause
physical disfigurement (scarring) and emotional distress.
Sebaceous
glands are attached to hair follicles in the skin on the face, neck,
back and chest. They produce an oily substance called sebum, which
normally reaches the skin surface through the opening of the follicle
(pore). When follicles become plugged, sebum cannot reach the surface
of the skin. This blocked sebum promotes the growth of bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes)
beneath the skin, which in turn produce chemicals and enzymes that
attract white blood cells, causing inflammation. Eventually the
follicle wall breaks down and the sebum, skin cells and bacteria erupt
to form lesions or pimples. These are the visible effects of acne.
Treatment
for acne varies depending on the type and severity of lesions, skin
type and the patient’s age and lifestyle, but on average results are
visible in six to eight weeks.
Options include:
- Intralesional steroid injections
- Laser resurfacing eg Fraxel™
- Soft tissue fillers and fat transfer
- Punch excisional surgery for deep "ice-pick" pitted scarring
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
Fraxel™
Fraxel™ is a unique
noninvasive laser therapy designed to dramatically improve skin texture
and pigmentation, including the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles,
acne scars, surgical scars, and sun damage. Fraxel™ utilizes fractional
resurfacing technology, where only a small fraction of the skin
receives the laser light. The treatment delivers a series of
microscopic laser spots, while simultaneously preserving areas of
unaffected, healthy skin. The healthy cells in the untouched spots
promote rapid healing of the entire area, resulting in faster recovery
time and minimal side effects. The result is softer, smoother and
healthier skin without an uncomfortable healing period.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin disease that causes redness and swelling on
the face. It is caused by the dilation of
capillaries and blood vessels and can affect both men and women. The scalp, neck, ears, chest, back and/or eyes may also be
affected. Symptoms range from red pimples, lines and visible blood
vessels to dry or burning skin and a tendency to flush easily.
Many
people find that the emotional effects of rosacea – such as low
self-confidence and avoidance of social situations – are more difficult
to handle than the physical ones. Although it can affect anyone,
rosacea typically appears in light-skinned, light-haired adults aged
30-50. It is not yet known what causes the dilatation of the blood vessels and the disease is not
curable, although it can be treated with topical and oral medications,
as well as laser therapy. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) can successfully treat
dilated blood vessels and redness without injuring the
surrounding healthy skin, while greatly reducing the
episodes of flushing with long-term effectiveness.
