Treat Acne and Acne Scars with BC Laser & Skin Care Clinic
You’re Not Alone………
Acne affects everyone from young and old to men and women and there is no way around it. Acne can appear not just on your face but all over your body. Did you know that only a small number of people actually seek help for their acne by seeking a physician? The good news is that there are so many acne treatments available today and it is likely that there is one that will work for you.
So stop worrying and start reading to get on the path to treating your acne.
Treatments for acne take time to start working so you need patience! There are sometimes symptoms of dryness on your path to smooth, blemish free skin so the most important thing is to give any acne treatment time to work.
Having a basic skin regime for treating acne is a must and no picking please. A good skin care regime for acne involves cleansing with 5% benzoyl peroxide wash or 2% salicylic acid, applying a gel or cream containing 5% benzoyl peroxide or sulfur or resorcinol, using a spot cream at night and using a light skin moisturizer during the day. If you have to wear make up choose a water based oil free mineral make up such as Jane Iredale or Colorescience. Skin care products such as Alyria Acne systems or ZO skin care are two lines of skin care that BC laser has used for the treatment of acne and maintenance with great success.
Acne and acne scar treatments offered by BC Laser & Skin Care Clinic in Surrey serve residents from all over Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, Langley and White Rock. Book your consultation by calling our Surrey office at 604 580 2464.
What can the doctor do for acne?
If your current acne treatment is not adequate for controlling your acne then it may be time for you to consult with our physician to determine the best course of treatment.
Here are some of the acne treatment options available that may be used by our doctor in treating your acne.
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Topical (externally applied) antibiotics and antibacterials: These include erythromycin , clindamycin , sulfacetamide , and azelaic acid .
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Retinoids: Retin-A (tretinoin) has been around for years, and newer preparations have become milder and gentler but still very effective.Newer retinoids include adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac). These medications are especially helpful for unclogging pores. Side effects may include irritation and a mild increase in sensitivity to the sun. With proper sun protection, however, they can be used even during sunny periods.
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Oral antibiotics: Our doctors may start treatment with tetracycline or one of the related “cyclines,” such as doxycycline and minocycline . Other oral antibiotics that are useful for treating acne are cefadroxil , amoxicillin, and the sulfa drugs. These drugs may cause a sensitivity to the sun and it is important to stay out of direct sunlight and use sunscreen liberally. Antibiotics are generally prescribed for short periods when absolutely necessary.
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Oral contraceptives: Some contraceptive pills have been to shown to have modest effectiveness in treating acne and may sometimes be prescribed after a consultation with the physician.
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Spironolactone : This drug blocks androgen (hormone) receptors. It can cause breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, and increased potassium levels in the bloodstream. It can help some women with resistant acne, however, and is generally well-tolerated in the young women who need it.
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Cortisone injections: To make large pimples and cysts flatten out fast, doctors inject them with a form of cortisone.
- Accutane: Isotretinoin or as it has been known , Accutane is an excellent treatment for severe, resistant acne and has been used on millions of patients since it was introduced in Europe in 1971 and in the U.S. in 1982. It should be used for people with severe acne, chiefly of the cystic variety, which has been unresponsive to conventional therapies like those listed above. Generally this treatment is now very restricted as an acne treatment method as it has severe side effects. Controls such as liver function tests must be performed and the acne treatment with this drug is usually only 5-6 months.
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Laser treatments: Laser treatments for acne are very effective and a combination of lasers can be used in weekly treatments. In addition Levulan PDT therapy has also been used in acne treatments. At BC laser we have over 20 medical and esthetic devices allowing us to customize your acne treatments for great results.
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Chemical peels: Chemical peels can be used for acne treatments. They are sometimes used alone or in conjunction with other therapies. Treatments such as acne facials or back facials with proper skin care products are beneficial to the acne sufferer.
Treatment of acne scars:
For those patients whose acne has gone away but left them with permanent scarring, several options are available. These include Fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing and the Fraxel Restore lasers. These treatments can be very effective are removing acne scars. In some deeper scar treatments injectables such as Artesense is also used to elevate the scars to give a long lasting result. Artesense fills the area where the scar is and can last upto 5-10 years.
