Archive for category: Skin Treatments

Guide to Acne Scars and Treatments

Acne scars can be embarrassing and troublesome. They are a constant reminder of the pain an individual went through when they had active acne. Acne scars are the result of an inflamed cyst, papule or skin lesion. The pore becomes large with dead skin cells, bacteria and oil, and swells, which then causes a break in the follicle wall. If there is a deep break in the wall, the healthy skin tissue around the break will be destroyed. New collagen will be formed. In some individuals, too much new collagen is formed. This will create a raised tissue on the skin’s surface. This creates one type of acne scarring- Keloid or hypertrophic scarring. In other cases, atrophic or depressed scars will form. These develop when there is a loss of tissue and are more common than Keloid scarring. Under atrophic scarring, there are a few forms. Ice pick scarring leaves a small hole in the skin that looks like it has been stabbed by an icepick. These are commonly found on the cheeks. Boxcar scarring are depressed scars that are round or oval shaped, and look much like chicken pox scars. Rolling scars are scars under the skin’s surface that give a wave like appearance. They are common and tend to be wide and very shallow.

Acne Scar Treatment

The good news about acne scars is there are many treatments available that can help minimise the scarring. An individual can meet with their skin specialist to find the best treatment for their skin. Possible treatments for acne scarring include:

• CO2 Laser acne scar treatment- This treatment is done for icepick, boxcar and rolling scars. A laser is used to remove skin. The laser will be moved over the skin one to three times. It can take a few minutes to complete if the area is small or more than an hour if areas are larger. Local anesthesia will be used. Healing time takes ten to twenty one days, and the skin will remain pink for up to three months. A dressing will be applied to the skin, which will need to stay on for three days. Side effects do include milia, crusting and oozing of the skin, prolonged redness and either hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation.
• Chemical Peels- Light or superficial chemical peels is a treatment done to help with acne scarring. The results are not permanent, so therefore should be done only on mild acne cases. A solution of BHA or AHA will be applied to the skin with a cotton ball and then will be neutralised. The process will remove the surface layer of skin, exfoliating the skin. Sunblock must be used after the process as the skin is very sensitive to the sun after this treatment. Possible side effects include peeling skin, redness of skin for a few days, itching, and hyperpigmentation (extremely rare).
• Skin needling- Skin needling is used to puncture the skin, which will give trauma to the skin. New Collagen will then be rebuilt in the skin, which will heal the existing acne scars. Recovery time is very short and no damage is done to the epidermis. There is redness of the skin and there could be possible bruising. Results can be seen in one or two sessions. It can take up to twelve months for the results to fully appear due to the collagen slowly rebuilding itself.
• Fractional Laser Treatment– This non-invasive procedure treats a fraction of the skin at a time. It is a great solution to acne scars. It can be used on any part of the body, and will target both the epidermis and the dermis. This process has a very fast healing time. Numbing cream will be applied to the area being treated. Once the numbing cream has numbed the skin, it is wiped off and a gliding gel is applied to the skin. The Fractional laser will be allowed to glide over the skin, and a cooling machine will be used to ease any discomfort. A full face will usually take about half an hour to complete. Skin will be pink for three to five days, with swelling being minimal, usually only lasting two to three days. A mild sunburn sensation will be felt for about an hour after the procedure is done.
• Dermabrasion- Superficial and deeper acne scars can be removed with dermabrasion. During the dermbrasion process, a high speed diamond or wire wheel brush or sandpaper will remove the surface of the skin. It is a heavy exfoliation of the skin. After the treatment, a dressing will need to be applied with petroleum jelly every day for two to four days.  A wind burnt or red face can often be seen for up to nine months after the treatment is done.  Repeat treatments may be needed.  A crust forms on the skin after the procedure, and takes up to fourteen days to flake off. Side effects of dermabrasion include some pain, sun sensitivity, and hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. Dermabrasion can be used for boxcar, icepick and rolling scars.
• Subcision- Subscision is used for rolling scars. The scar will be cut away from the skin, and the blood will fill underneath the area cut and fill it in. The blood clot will help form connective tissue under the scar. This will then create a level surface. Bruising and swelling can be seen for up to two weeks, and multiple treatments are often needed, usually up to three. This process is often combined with laser resurfacing or dermabrasion.
• Dermal fillers– Dermal fillers are very effective for rolling scars, as well as some boxcar scars that are not as defined. Dermal fillers fill in depressed scars, with the dose varying due to where the scarring is, how big the scarring is, and what results an individual wants. Results can be seen immediately. Skin will be cleansed, then the face is iced. The skin specialist will then inject the solution chosen into the skin with a very fine needle. Dermal fillers only have a temporary effect, from a few months to a year or more. For twenty four hours, the patient will be asked to limit facial motion.

These are just many of the acne scar treatments that a skin specialist can offer. Many of the treatments described above work well by themselves, but can be paired up with different methods for an even greater effect. An example of this would be having fractional laser done on the acne scars and filling them in with dermal fillers. Using the two in combination will provide for smoother skin in which the dermal fillers will generally last longer.

To prevent acne scars, never pick or squeeze the acne. This may seem like a good idea to get the pus or bacteria out of the pimple, however, it could force the debris deeper into the skin, causing more inflammation and further damage to the skin. Picking the scab off acne will increases the chance of scarring due to the fact that the scab is the skin’s way of naturally bandaging the skin. Removing a scab that is not ready to fall off will prolong the healing process.

Another way to prevent acne scars is taking care of the skin to prevent future breakouts and inflammation of the skin. Should you have bad acne, you may wish to consult a skin specialist to find a treatment to get acne under control.

Back Acne: Type, Cause and Treatment

Back acne is acne that forms on the back. It happens in 60 percent of individuals. Acne on the back could mean that your acne is severe. Back acne is formed when sebum mixes with bacteria and dead skin cells. This mixture then clogs up the hair follicles on the back, creating acne lesions. Causes for back acne include stress, a hormonal imbalance, sweat, hair products used, kind of detergent used, and the material your clothing is made of.

There are many types of acne that can appear on the back. These include:

• Blackheads- These are the pimples that are seen on the surface of the skin. Blackheads are also known as open comedones. There is a black tip due to the reaction when sebum and the air mix.
• Whiteheads- These are known as closed comedones. A white bump is formed that is filled with pus. The plugged follicle stays closed and is underneath the skin.
• Pustules- These are filled with yellow or white pus. They have a red base to them and are often referred to as a pimple.
• Papules- These are small pink bumps formed on the skin that can be tender.
• Cysts- Large, painful lesions that often resemble a boil and are filled with pus.
• Nodule- Acne that has developed below the surface of the skin. These are hard and painful.

Back Acne Treatment

There are many treatments available for back acne at your skin specialist. Laser and light treatments are a great way to treat places in the back that are hard to reach. A series of treatments will be given to see the most effective results. Often times, laser and light therapy is used in conjunction with other back acne treatments to see the most impressive results. Laser treatments are highly recommended for back acne treatments. At Advanced Dermatology we use the latest laser technology to treat back acne.

Chemical peels can also be done on the back to stop back acne in its tracks. Blackheads will be loosened and acne papules are often decreased using this method. One or more chemical solutions will be applied to the back after it is cleansed. Depending on the depth of the peel, it can be repeated every one to four week intervals (for mild peels) to every six to twelve months for medium depth peels.  Acne chemical peels can help if there is minimal scarring. Fresh skin that is smooth will be revealed once the damaged skin is peeled away.

Dermabrasion can be used on back acne to help reveal smoother skin as well. Dead skin cells will be removed to allow new skin to flourish. This is one of the best ways to treat back acne scarring.

Topical antibiotics could be prescribed for back acne. These will kill any bacteria that is on the back that will infect the hair follicles. These are usually applied once or twice a day and come in a gel or lotion form. Azelaic acid can also be used to get rid of the dead skin while killing bacteria. It is also applied twice a day unless the skin is sensitive, in which case once a day will suffice. This acid does not make the skin sensitive to sunlight, so one does not have to completely avoid the sun while using this gel or cream.

Some tips to prevent Back Acne

There are things that one can do to prevent back acne. Wear cotton clothes that allow the skin to breathe as much as possible. Shower right after you work out, and if clothes become sweaty, change them. Keep tabs on what irritates the skin, and steer clear of these irritants. Often times clothing that rubs against the skin will irritate back acne more, so keep an eye on this.

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a technique used to exfoliate the skin. It is very powerful, and is known as one of the most effective ways to help treat ageing.  This painless treatment will accelerate the rate at which dead skin cells are exfoliated.  This will allow new skin cells to come alive. A series of treatments can be done.  Many will start off with two treatments a month to begin with, then reduce to one treatment per month to maintain the skin.   It can be done with almost any other skin care treatment, and is recommended to be done every few weeks to one to two months apart. It is an outpatient procedure that takes about 30 minutes to complete. There is no recovery time, and no anaesthetic is  needed. Microdermabrasion costs anywhere between $125 to $250, depending on which area of the skin is treated and where the treatment is done.  Microdermabrasion is suitable for all types of skin.  It is safe for people aged 18 to 65. Sometimes, under certain circumstance, children under the age of 18 are permitted to have microdermabrasion done.  Typically, skin that has matured has a higher chance of bruising and skin abrasions, so it is not recommended for those over age 70.

Benefits of Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion delivers many benefits. Fine lines and wrinkles can be treated with microdermabrasion, and it is perfect for dry skin.  Those with hyper pigmentation can greatly benefit from this procedure, and minor acne scars can be faded. Blemishes and blackheads may be treated, and large pores can be reduced in size. Pores will look cleaner as they will not be plugged.  Other great benefits of microdermabrasion are reduction in oily or dull skin.  Skin will be much smoother, and new skin cells will be formed, which will make skin look and feel radiant.  Rough skin is easily eliminated with microdermabrasion.   Age spots and sun damage can be improved with the use of this treatment.  Enhanced circulation and lymph flow will occur, which will help to promote internal health of the skin.   It has been proven to be effective for treating keratosis pilaris.  Microdermabrasion should not be used for people who have very sensitive skin.  Though there are some great benefits of microdermabrasion, if any of the following are present in a person, microdermabrasion should not be done:  fragile capillaries, rosacea that is active, open sores, skin lesions, lupus, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, warts, widespread acne, vascular lesions, herpes, erythematosus, diabetes mellitus, and anyone that takes an anti-coagulant.

How does microdermabrasion work?

A diamond shaped or bristle tipped head will be used during the microdermabrasion process.  This will help to buff the skin so dead skin cells are lifted away to reveal fresh ones.  The bristles will shoot a fine sand like material, such as aluminium oxide, sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate onto the face. The tool vacuums the skin by pulling on a small section of skin, and raising it up.  Mild swelling will occur, which will bring impurities to the skin’s surface. The sand like material will then be shot onto the skin, and will then be vacuumed up along with the dead skin cells that have been collected. The tool will be moved steadily along the skin, with even pressure being applied. One to three passes over the skin is the normal protocol.  A mild scratching sensation will be felt during the procedure.  Some could also experience a warming sensation on the skin.  Possible side effects of microdermabrasion include skin tightness, redness of the skin, skin sensitivity, cold sore reactivation around the lips if cold sores have been present on the skin before, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation(PIH), small skin abrasions, spots of bleeding and fine broken blood vessels. The blood vessels are particularly seen if you have thin skin, lupus, sun damaged skin, scleroderma, taken Prednisone for extended periods of time, or have abnormally fragile skin. There is a higher chance of bruising if one is taking aspirin or other blood thinners.

Microdermabrasion aftercare

After a microdermabrasion treatment, there will be virtually no downtime.  This procedure is often called the lunch hour peel as one can return back to their daily schedule as soon as the treatment is done.  Slight redness may be seen after the peel, but will usually reduce within a few hours. Avoiding the sun is highly recommended as the skin could easily become irritated.  After the procedure, your skin specialist might recommend using a special cream or moisturiser to further protect the skin and enhance the results of the microdermabrasion.  Always wear sunscreen to ensure that the skin is well protected from the sun’s rays.

Risks associated to microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is very safe. It is a non-invasive treatment that has very few risks.  However, one should always look for a highly skilled skin specialist to perform the treatment on the skin.  A trained skin specialist that has been trained to do microdermabrasion and trained aesthetician can also perform the procedure.  If the procedure is not done correctly, the skin can become bruised or discoloured. The eyelids should never be treated with microdermabrasion.  Avoid having the treatment go too far into the skin, as this will cause discoloration of the skin that is permanent.  Other risks include the microdermabrasion crystals entering the eye, causing irritation.  If the instruments used are not properly sanitised, there is risk for infection to the skin.  Looking for a highly reputable, trained professional will help to eliminate these unwanted risks that are rarely seen.  To reduce these risk, during the consultation, ask questions.  Possible questions you may wish to consider asking include:

• Are you certified to do microdermabrasion?
• Were you specifically trained to do microdermabrasion?
• Am I a good candidate for the treatment?
• What results do you expect to see if I have this procedure done?  What results are reasonable to be seen on my skin?
• What are the risks and complications associated with this procedure?
• Who will perform the procedure?  Will anyone be allowed to help?
• Do you have before and after photos that you show your clients?

Home Microdermabrasion

There are many wonderful at home microdermabrasion treatments.  These will usually cost $100+ for a jar of the magic, however there are many on the market today as cheap as $50.   Keep in mind that these often do not work as well as a professional treatment, but are a wonderful way to maintain the skin.  At home treatments will contain the same type of crystals found in professional microdermabrasion, however, they are applied with the hands, and not a diamond or bristle tipped head.  As the scrub is rubbed into the skin with the hands, the crystals will grab the dead skin.  Some at home treatments are a two in one, where the skin is hydrated while scrubbing away the dead skin.  Follow the instructions on the packaging closely as any over the counter treatment can damage the skin if not performed properly.

Microdermabrasion is a wonderful procedure to have done.  It can eliminate oily skin, reduce pore size, give skin radiance that it has never seen before, improve the skin texture, tone and clarity, improve sun damaged skin and much more.  The procedure is simple, painless, and requires very little time to have the procedure done.  Combining microdermabrasion with other skin treatments is an effective way to have the skin that one has always wanted.

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a skin procedure that produces excellent results on the skin. Microdermabrasion is used to rejuvenate the skin to make it appear fresher and smoother, softer and more radiant. It is suitable for all skin types, and can be done on men and woman. Those over the age of 12 and under the age of 65 are the best candidates for microdermabrasion. Once in a while, those under the age of 12 are allowed to use microdermabrasion under the supervision of a doctor or surgeon. Those over the age of 70 are discouraged from using the treatment as microdermabrasion is not good for skin that is that thin.  Those that are not good candidates for microdermabrasion include those with active acne, warts, open sores or lesions, those who take anti-coagulants, those with bacterial infections, and those that have conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.

Microdermabrasion Results

There are many great results to using microdermabrasion.  The microdermabrasion results include smaller pores, cleaner pores, a decrease in acne scars, smoother skin, smooth out bumps on the skin known as keratosis pilaris, fade dark spots and age spots, help eliminate sun damage, improve dull or oily skin, even out hyperpigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance circulation and lymph flow, which will essentially create a healthier skin internally.

Microdermabrasion works the best when a series of treatments are done.  For ultimate microdermabrasion results it is usually recommended between six to ten treatments, they will be scheduled every seven to ten days apart. Your skin specialist will be able to tell you how many you will need when you meet for a consultation or how many are recommended for the condition you would like to treat. Results are seen immediately. After the first treatment, smoother skin will be seen. Skin will also feel tighter. After the fifth treatment, skin will see a huge effect of smaller pores, and fewer lines and wrinkles. After all treatments are done, the skin will see dramatic results in better coloring, tone, clarity, and texture. More youthful skin will be produced. New layers of skin will be produced, that have more collagen and elastin, which will give the skin a radiant glow.

Different types of Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is done quickly on the skin with no anesthesia. There are two types of microdermabrasion, crystal microdermabrasion and diamond -tip microdermabrasion. With crystal microdermabrasion, a hand held wand will shoot aluminum oxide crystals onto the face, which will latch themselves onto dead skin cells. Both will be sucked up vacuum style by the wand. The depth of the exfoliation will be controlled by the derma practitioner. One to three passes are made over the skin.  It will not be painful, but some could feel some mild discomfort.

With diamond-tip microdermabrasion, there are no crystals used. However, a wand is still used to vacuum up the dead skin cells after the diamond-tip exfoliates the skin. There are many different kinds of tips, which your derma practitioner will be able to pick from to give the desired treatment on the skin.

Microdermabrasion after care

Do note that after microdermabrasion, the skin is very sensitive. A sunscreen will need to be worn and the sun should be avoided. The skin will be sensitive to heat, perfume, and chemicals. Following a microdermabrasion series, the thickness of the dermis is increased, as is the thickness of the epidermis. Collagen fibers are increased in the dermis and they appear to be thicker. There will be an increase in blood flow in the dermis, which will start the repair process.

Microdermabrasion is a wonderful procedure that many opt to have done because it is quick, painless, and really works.  The results that many have seen are phenomenal. Younger looking skin with fewer lines and wrinkles, smaller pores, faded hyperpigmentation, less oily skin.

What is Diamond Microdermabrasion?

Diamond microdermabrasion are treatments that get deep into the skin and exfoliate it well. It is a very popular cosmetic skin care treatment that can be used to get more youthful looking skin. It is painless and virtually side effect free. It reaches the deepest layers of the skin, to relieve it of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as blemishes and other skin imperfections. Results with diamond microdermabrasion are seen immediately. Many rave over this procedure as there are no chemicals used, nor are there any crystals used, as seen in other forms of microdermabrasion.

How does diamond microdermabrasion work?

Diamond microdermabrasion can be done in at your professional skin practitioners. It should take about an hour to complete. Skin will be cleansed thoroughly before the process begins. A microdermabrasion machine will be used, with a tool that has it’s head covered in diamonds. Dead skin cells will be exfoliated off the face and vacuumed up. This is a very safe form of treatment as there is no risk for getting crystals in the eyes. It is extremely effective on deep acne scars and old stretch marks. After the treatment, a moisturiser will be needed to protect the skin. No downtime is needed and the patient can return to their daily activities. A series of treatments is usually recommended to see the best results. To achieve optimal results, 6 to 8 treatment might be needed. These will be scheduled about 2 weeks apart.

What are the benefits of diamond microdermabrasion?

There are many reasons as to why one should pick diamond microdermabrasion as a skin care treatment.  Besides seeing immediate results on the face, you will see more collagen being produced.  This is in effect to the different suction levels that make it possible to increase the blood flow to the skin. Other benefits include removal of deep lines and wrinkles, stretch mark removal, helps with acne, uneven skin tone, clear up blackheads, and deep clean the pores. Diamond microdermabrasion will also help with age spots. Many have reported seeing tighter skin that feels softer to the touch.

There are many wonderful at home diamond microdermabrasion units to try out if you feel that this procedure is for you and would like to try it out. Try out any of the following for softer, smoother, more radiant skin that glows:

• MicrodermMD Medical Grade Home Microdermabrasion Machine– This machine was designed to be powerful while exfoliating the skin but is ultra-gentle.
• RejuvadermMD– This powerful machine has 4 suction levels. Use a few times a week. Comes with a diamond tip, a pore extraction tip, and an infusion tip, which will allow skin care products to be applied and absorbed better into the skin. Perfect for using on the entire body: face, hands, neck, chest, back, feet, and anywhere where scarring is present.
• Diamond Tipped Microdermabrasion System- Use twice a week for 10 minutes each session. This machine uses fixed diamond tips so it is perfect for using on the entire body.
• NuBrillance At Home Microdermabrasion kit– This kit promotes new cell growth while firming the skin, and exfoliates the dead skin cells. It has a built in vacuum, so all dirt and debris that is stuck deep in the pores can be vacuumed out. The suction power can be customize to a setting that is right for you.

Join the many that have had good luck with diamond microdermabrasion. With no unwanted side effects and immediate results, diamond microdermabrasion makes an excellent choice for many to have!