How to Manage Acne
How to Manage Acne
How to Manage Acne
Acne is a common skin condition. Acne forms inside clogged skin pores that drain sabeceous glands and eventually results in ugly breakouts. The severity of breakouts varies from individual to individual. Some experience mild breakouts which eventually clear completely; others experience painful cysts which seem to linger for a long time and leave behind scars or even "dimples" for life.
Acne is very common and affects teenagers and adults alike. There are several schools of thought about the causes of acne: some believe that it is caused by inflammation, others that it is caused by P. acnes bacteria; all agree that there is a connection between acne and hormonal imbalance which is why acne affects teens maturing into adults; may occur during a pregnancy; may affect women off birth control pills, etc. All in all, about 80% of all people deal with acne at some point of their life. Consequently the question "how to manage acne" is a popular one.
The initial form of acne management relies on topical applications. For some persons, over the counter creams and gels containing salicylic acid or Retin-A can be helpful. A more aggressive approach involves the use of prescription creams and gels such as benzoyl peroxide, clindamyin antibiotics, etc. which are effective for many acne sufferers. Oral antibiotics, Spirolactone, Oral contraceptives (women only), and Accutane are considered when topical treatments fail to produce results.
How to manage acne without medications?
A non-pharmacological approach to acne management is IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Laser therapy which may involve the use Amino Levulinic Acid (ALA) in conjunction with the treatment.
IPL Laser therapy is very gentle. It emits pulses of high intensity broadband light which produces heat. The heat causes controlled damage specifically to the areas affected by acne. The hot light bypasses the top layer of the skin; its focus is on the underlying layer (the dermis). During the treatment, the doctor uses filters for the patient's safety (blocking UV rays from touching your skin) and the patient wears protective eye gear. While treated, the patient feels "snaps" as if a rubber band was snapped against his or her face. (By the way, the treatment can be used on any other area of the body affected by acne, not only face.) IPL treatment kills the bacteria that causes acne flare ups and stimulates production of enzymes that protect the skin from infections.
What happens after the treatment? Immediately after the treatment a cooling gel is applied to the treated area; the patient gets also a regimen of skin care to use for the aftercare at home. Right after the treatment, you'll notice that your skin is pink. A few days later, acne begins to dry and peel off, and you'll begin to see clearer skin.
Intense pulse light therapy (IPL) can be used as a stand alone treatment; for patients with severe cystic and nodular acne it is often used in conjunction with Amino Levulinic Acid (ALA) which photosensitizes skin. IPL is used to activate ALA.
To achieve best results, the IPL with Amino Levulinic Acid (ALA) treatment needs to be repeated. The frequency depends on the severity of your acne. If your acne is very severe you may need two treatments a week for eight weeks. If your acne is mild, one treatment per week for a period of eight weeks will be sufficient.
Significant decrease of acne - and in some cases complete clearance of acne - achieved with IPL plus Amino Levulinic Acid therapy lasts for as long as one to one and half year.
One of the advantages of IPL therapy (with ALA or without) is the fact that the treatment is very gentle and the recovery involves little or no downtime. Once again, the severity of your acne will determine the length of your recovery. Those with mild acne might be able to resume their normal activities immediately. Those with more severe acne will be best advised to have the treatment after a few days to allow themselves a recovery.
There are many acne treatment options available. As anyone who's had to manage acne knows not every method is effective for every one. Repeated IPL therapy (with ALA or without) is a gentle option that in most acne cases provides a long term relief from symptoms. If you're wondering how to manage acne, talk to your doctor about IPL therapy.
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