Acne 101

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A zit, a breakout, a pimple… call it what you want. It’s still an unwanted blemish on one’s skin! 

Although acne is mainly attributed to adolescent years, it is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that can occur in all age groups. It is a very common skin disorder that varies from person to person, which means treatment options will also differ with each individual case. 

What Causes Acne?

Acne can be caused by the body’s increased production of the hormone “androgen”, found in both men and women, which stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Sebaceous glands are the tiny glands found near the surface of your skin, which are attached to hair follicles. Their role is to lubricate the hair and to stop the skin from drying out by producing a substance called ‘sebum.’ When the glands start to produce too much sebum, excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and together they form a plug like effect in the follicle. 

If the plugged follicle is close to the surface of the skin, it bulges outwards, creating a whitehead. Alternatively, the plugged follicle can be open to the skin, creating a blackhead. The normally harmless bacteria found on one’s skin can then contaminate itself and infect the plugged follicles, causing a much larger bump. As the follicle enlarges, the wall may rupture, allowing irritating substances and normal skin bacteria access into the deeper layers of the skin, ultimately producing inflammation, known as papules, pustules, nodules or cysts.

There are many myths surrounding diet and skin hygiene habits that can lead to acne but although these can be contributing factors, it is not the main cause; excess sebum production. 

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Types of Acne

Non-Inflammatory 

  1. Blackheads – Tiny black dots where pores should be, that are a mix of dead skin cells and oil that has been exposed to the air.  
  2. Whiteheads – A blackhead that has been closed by the skin by a small white bump.  

Inflammatory

  1. Papules – Also known as a pimple, this is when bacteria entered and caused the pore walls to breakdown from the infection, leaving behind a red lump.
  2. Pustules – A pimple accompanied by pus that leaves a milky white appearance under the skin.
  3. Nodules – Large, irritated lumps under the skin that develop deeper than pustules and papules.
  4. Cysts – Painful and large pus filled lumps caused by even deeper clogging, occurring even further below the skin’s surface than nodules. Cysts are more likely to leave scars. 
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Acne Scars & Complications

Acne scarring can sometimes develop as a complication of acne. Any type of acne spot can lead to scarring, especially with excess picking or squeezing of spots, but it is more common when the most serious types of spots (nodules and cysts) burst and damage nearby skin. Skin pigmentation can also be another physical reminder of acne when the area darkens (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or lightens (hypopigmentation.) 

There are three types of scars commonly left by acne, and linger long after acne has cleared up:

  1. Pitted scars – Deep impressions in one’s skin that are a result of insufficient collagen when the wounds were undergoing the healing process.
  2. Hypertrophic scars – A visible and elevated scar due to an abnormal response to wound healing.
  3. Keloid scars – Raised scars that are much larger than the original wound because excess collagen was produced during the healing process. 

Thankfully acne scars can be successfully minimised and eradicated. However, the best course of action it to prevent them from occurring in the first place, which is why it is crucial to manage your acne as soon as it appears and take the proper steps to maintain a smooth, healthy-looking skin long after it’s been treated. 

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    Treatment Options


    1. Microneedling 

    This is a treatment process that involves fractional pricking the surface of the skin with tiny sterilised needles. Dermapen is our choice of device as it penetrates the deep layers of the skin, triggering the body’s natural response. The skin is oxygenated, and lymphatic drainage activated, regenerating the acne affected area.  It can be used to treat acne, as well as acne scars. 

    • Acne – every two weeks
    • Scarring – every 4 weeks
    • Multiple treatments (up to 6) may be needed for optimal results
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    2. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) 

    By using the Ellipse system, an IPL treatment can target acne vulgaris (clogging of hair follicles that cause painful skin lesions and pimple),  acne conglobate (pustules and nodules on the back, chest and buttocks) and acne rosacea (an inflammation of the face, neck or chest.)


    The treatment works when the light targets the porphyrins produced by bacteria in the skin. A photodynamic reaction occurs, and produces the free radicals to selectively destroy bacteria. Successive treatment results in the rate of the acne destruction becoming greater than the growth of the bacteria, leading to a reduction in the inflamed regions. This process can also assist with traumatic scarring. The light also absorbs into the blood vessels, which supply the sebaceous glands. By heating up the capillaries, this will reduce the blood flow to the sebaceous glands and decrease the over production of oil in the skin. 


    The treatment schedule is normally 4 treatments over a course 3-4 weeks. It can be repeated again to achieve further results if necessary.

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        3. Chemical peel

        A Beta Plus peel, consisting of salicylic acid, is excellent for treating pimples by easily working through the oil (sebum) in the follicles, and also drastically calms inflammation in inflammatory acne.


        After cleansing and skin prep, this 10-minute peel will cause a slight tingling and heat on the skin that might feel a little more intense on pimples and acne, especially if they are inflamed or open. Once removed, the skin will feel hydrated and plump with a little redness but this will subside in a few hours. Remember to follow your therapist’s aftercare instructions. 

        • Every 2 weeks
        • A course of 6 treatments is highly recommended
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            4. Facial treatments 

            A Deep Cleansing or Purity Facial Treatment is our recommendation, and is performed by a therapist cleansing the skin by removing blackheads and pimples by extracting the from the skin. After the extraction, the skin will be red, and in some, cases, a little swollen but a serum and facial mask are applied to calm the skin and promote healing. 

            • Every 2 – 4 weeks, depending on the grade of inflammation
            • It is crucial to use the right home care products to enhance and support the skin while healing from Acne Vulgaris.
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            Acne is not only physically debilitating but it can be also emotionally debilitating. However, treatment options to overcome current skin blemishes and past scarring are available to help you become comfortable and confident again in your own skin. Chame Skincare is passionate about healthy skin, and our aim is to deliver treatments with definite results.


            Remember though that the current state of your skin does not measure your worth or your beauty!

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