Acne Treatment and Management in Melbourne
Acne is a disorder of the sebaceous gland that is characterised by comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules (pinheads), pustules (pimples), nodules or cysts (large papules) and may result in scars. Yes, it can be treated effectively, but it is best treated by a professional or Dermal Clinician who can look at the problem from a holistic perspective, including home care regimes, skincare products, and sebum control. Read below to learn more about acne treatment and acne management options. Then, send in an enquiry form or book a consult with a top dermal clinician by phone at (03) 8849 1400 today.
At Coco Ruby Skin, our Dermal Clinicians have expertise in helping patients of all ages control their acne and reduce acne scarring. It can take several treatments and a home-care approach as well as an in-clinic treatment package, and you’ll need to follow the ‘homework’ instructions from your Dermal Clinician. But the healing effects of these acne treatments and skin care products can leave you with smoother, clearer skin and the confidence that goes with it.
The diagram below reveals various types of acne pimples.
Problems with Acne
Many acne sufferers have a variety of blemishes, including blocked pores, pus-filled pustules, whiteheads, and blackheads. Unfortunately, acne is often more prominent during puberty or young adulthood—just when you really want to look your very best. But acne can strike at any age and can come and go for some individuals.
Fortunately, we can give you tips for keeping acne at bay for a lifetime by teaching you skincare regimes and products that really help reduce the chances of your skin breaking out in pimples. There’s no guarantee you’ll never get a pimple again, but we have seen some amazing results with our medical-grade skin cleansing routines and practical advice, such as eating healthily and changing your pillowcases and facial washers daily.
Acne Scarring: Effects
- All types of acne lesions can produce inflammation, which can sometimes leave all skin types hyperpigmented or with tell-tale scars (deep pick-ax scars or acne crater-type scars).
- This can continue after the infection for several months or permanent, and scarring may not show up for several months (as the skin renews, you see what the lower dermal layers have become exposed to).
- Acne and acne scarring may have psychological effects on the patient, including reduced self-esteem or even depression.
Why is facial acne so common?
ACNE is a common skin disorder, affecting around 80% of the population at some point in their lives. It can present in mild or moderate forms to severe acne.
There are different types of acne concerns, and they often relate to a combination of factors, including excess sebum production, blocked or inflamed skin pores, hormonal changes and bacteria on the skin that make it worse.
What causes Acne?
The precise cause of acne is unknown, however, the following are contributing factors:
- Sebum – patients with acne have increases sebum excretion.
- Hormones – androgen hormones (from testes, ovaries, adrenals, and sebaceous glands themselves) are the main stimulants of sebum production.
- Poral Occlusion – both genetic and environmental factors (eg. some cosmetics) cause the dead layer of skin cells to overgrow and cover the hair follicle. This causes a blockage and retains the sebum underneath the skin, allowing the bacteria to thrive and accumulate pus. Rupture of the pus into the hair follicles are associated with intense inflammation and tissue damage.
- Bacterial Proprionibacterium – this is a type of bacteria that colonises in the pilosebaceous ducts.
- Genetic – studies have indicated that about half of those who have a history of acne in their family.
What acne treatments are available, and do they work?
The key to treating acne effectively is to monitor your condition and results with a professional (a Dermal Clinician is a great start as they have advanced knowledge of what works and what doesn’t). But you’ll still need patience and dedication – often, it’s a combination of factors that leads to acne. Many of these are, fortunately, under your control (but some aren’t). So you’ll want to be diligent and do all you can to keep acne and pimples away.
Chemical Skin Peels can help treat some forms of acne
- These treatments are performed by a Dermal Clinician to exfoliate and de-congest your skin.
- These chemical peels are mainly Salicylic or Jessner’s peels, as they both have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on acne.
- Chemical peels also have a rejuvenation effect and help skincare products penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin for faster results.
LED Light Therapy
Blue and Red LED light treatment has shown improvements for persistent acne. These light treatments work by targeting the sebaceous gland and bacteria beneath the skin. It also aids the healing process.
Low Level Light Therapy (Healite II) may also help.
Medication and Hormone Therapy can help reduce some forms of acne
If topical treatments alone fail, long-term antibiotics or hormone therapy may be an option for some patients to help control their acne.
- Hormone therapy is usually restricted to female patients in the form of contraceptive pills (but there are side effects to familiarise yourself with, and this IS a drug)
- On rare occasions, isotretinoin (oral vitamin A) also known as ‘Roaccutane’ can be prescribed by a doctor for severe nodule cystic acne – again, side effects are a concern for most patients.
Medications can have severe and long-term side effects and should never be taken lightly.
- It is often better if you can treat the acne with the right program and products than to take medication that can harm your body due to ‘side’ effects (unwanted direct effects of the medication).
Fractional Laser Treatments can also help improve some forms of Acne
Once the active acne has been controlled and cleared, laser acne treatments are sometimes ideal for those who have scarring as a result of having moderate to severe acne or blackheads.
Our lasers, including the DOT Therapy Laser and the Fraxel Restore 1550nm Laser, are some of the safest and most effective procedures known to improve acne and minimise long-term scarring.
How DOT therapy works to help minimise your acne scars
- DOT therapy uses CO2 laser technology, which works by causing a controlled wound to the deeper layers of the skin
- This encourages the dermal layer to heal itself by producing more collagen fibres
- With an increased amount of collagen fibres produced, the skin essentially ‘bulks’ up
- Then, the tiny scars appear more level with the rest of the skin – and the surface is also smoother or rejuvenated after a series of DOT therapy sessions (you’ll often need at least 3 sessions to see good results, but every patient is different; you may need more if you have deep acne scarring that has been there for some time)
Another method to reduce ACNE and Acne Scars is DERMAPEN or COLLAGEN INDUCTION THERAPY (CIT).
Best Makeup For Covering Acne
Choose a Quality Mineral Makeup to combat acne and other bacterial reactions
- Some cosmetic products including liquid foundations have been known to cause acne.
- These cosmetic products can cause plugs in the hair follicle and trap the oils underneath the skin, allowing bacteria to thrive and cause acne. As makeup can be worn 10-12 hours per day.
- It is important to use quality mineral-based makeups that are gentle and allow the skin to “breathe”.
We offer a range of quality GLO Mineral Makeup, a pressed mineral powder. Ask one of our Dermal Clinicians about what makeup products would suit you
Use Medicated Skincare Products or Cosmeceuticals to help prevent pimples and acne.
Good options for skincare for Acne reactive skin include OBAGI, PCA, DNA RENEWAL or MEDIK8.
If you have sensitive, acne prone skin, on-going maintenance with prescribed skincare products are an essential part in the control of Acne. Preparations including salicylic acid, retinoic acid, benzyl peroxide and antibiotic washes and lotions are usually the main ingredients in these products.
Acne scars are difficult to treat but our Clinicians have numerous ways to minimise your scars.
Allow up to a year for treatments, but acne scars CAN be effectively treated in our Clinic if you are willing to do YOUR SIDE of the methods for keeping acne at bay as best as it can be.
So seek early treatments to prevent complications and minimise your scars. Call today on (03) 8849 1400 or send an enquiry form. We can review your skin with imaging, recommend a medical-based acne cleanser and acne home care system, and provide various in clinic peels, light based treatments or even lasers to keep your skin looking better to reduce major breakouts of acne and blackheads.
Next Step: Booking your Initial Consultation for Acne Treatments
Send us a confidential enquiry or call on (03) 8849 1400 to arrange your Confidential Consultation with one of our Coco Ruby team.
Want more information before scheduling your treatment consultation?
- Request more information about any of our skin procedures including laser rejuvenation, Fraxel, Injectables or Healite II treatments – call or contact us
- Attend our FREE Regular Practice Events and meet our Skin Treatment Experts and our team of Plastic Surgeons – learn more about non-surgical and surgical options for face, body, breast and skin
Send a confidential Enquiry form today. Or phone (03) 8849 1400. Please also FOLLOW us on Facebook.
