Acne

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACNE

Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes spots and pimples, especially on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms.

It is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans yearly. At least 85 percent of people in the U.S. experience acne between the ages of and 24 years.

Acne commonly occurs during puberty, when the sebaceous glands activate, but it can occur at any age. It is not dangerous, but it can leave skin scars. The glands produce oil and are stimulated by male hormones produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females. Risk factors include genetics, the menstrual cycle, anxiety and stress, hot and humid climates, using oil-based makeup, and squeezing pimples.

Treatment depends on how severe and persistent it is.

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CAUSES

Human skin has pores that connect to oil glands under the skin. Follicles connect the glands to the pores. Follicles are small sacs that produce and secrete liquid.

The glands produce an oily liquid called sebum. Sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, and oil builds up under the skin. Skin cells, sebum, and hair can clump together into a plug. This plug gets infected with bacteria and swelling results. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down.

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is the name of the bacteria that live on the skin and contribute to the infection of pimples. The severity and frequency of acne depend on the strain of bacteria. Not all acne bacteria trigger pimples. One strain helps to keep the skin pimple-free.

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ACNE TREATMENT IN BEVERLY HILLS

Treatment depends on how severe and persistent the acne is.
OTC acne remedies may include the following active ingredients:

• Resorcinol: helps break down blackheads and whiteheads
• Benzoyl peroxide: kills bacteria, accelerates the replacement of skin, and slows the production of sebum
• Salicylic acid: assists the breakdown of blackheads and whiteheads and helps reduce inflammation and swelling
• Sulfur: exactly how this works is unknown
• Retin-A: helps unblock pores through cell turnover
• Azelaic acid: strengthens cells that line the follicles, stops sebum eruptions, and reduces bacterial growth. There is cream for acne, but other forms are used for rosacea.

It is advisable to start with the lowest strengths, as some preparations can cause skin irritation, redness, or burning on first use.

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MEDICAL TREATMENT

Corticosteroid Injection

At Beverly Hills Aesthetics, Dr Assassa may treat an inflamed cyst by injecting a diluted corticosteroid. This can help prevent scarring, reduce inflammation, and speed up healing. The cyst will break down within a few days.

Oral Antibiotics

Antibiotics can combat the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation These aim to lower the population of P. Acnes. The dosage will start high and reduce as the acne clears.

Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptives can help control acne in women by suppressing the overactive gland. They are commonly used as long-term acne treatments.

These may not be suitable for women who:

• have a blood-clotting disorder
• smoke
• have a history of migraines
• are over 35 years old

Topical Retinoids

Topical retinoids such as adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin are a derivative of vitamin A. They unclog the pores and prevent whiteheads and blackheads from developing.

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BOTOX® FOR LARGE PORES AND ACNE PREVENTION

AFFECTED AREAS:

Intradermal Botox® is a procedure that benefits those with oily skin and oversized pores. Intradermal Botox® gives you a beautiful smooth, poreless, matte finish to your skin.

HOW IT WORKS:

Unlike Cosmetic Botox®, Intradermal Botox® is not injected into the muscles that target facial expression. Instead, it is injected into the arrector pili, or fine muscles in the skin attached to hair follicles that cause them to protrude from the skin at the surface. That protuberance is known as a pore. Therefore, injecting Botox® in this manner contracts the skin’s pores. When you minimize pores, this results in a smaller skin surface area. In Addition, Botox® can prevent recurring acne breakouts due to its ability to reduce excessive skin oil production.

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