Acne Treatment: The Glow 3-Month Program
At Glow Medispa we have learned how to manage acne-- out. We love to banish the blemishes. Read on and we will explain why it happens and just how to get rid of acne. Call us in Seattle or Kirkland today to come talk to us about acne treatment in person!
what is acne?
Acne is caused by bacterial growth inside pores in the skin. When the pores in the skin get blocked, this creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. In the beginning you may not notice it at all or you may see a clogged pore or blackhead. Then the bacteria grow enough to feel as a lump. Eventually, it grows big enough to erupt on the skin and then resolve.
what causes acne?
Acne is so common most people suffer from it at some stage of life. Many factors contribute to acne eruptions:
- hormonal changes
- manipulating the lesions
- clothing, laundry detergents and fresheners
- hair & skin products
- air pollution & humidity
- inflammatory foods
- allergies
- aging of the skin, decreased epidermal turnover
Acne is often caused or made worse by products we put on our faces in the pursuit of clear skin. In fact, even some preparations of tretinoin (Retin-A - a great drug to treat acne) contain the comedogenic ingredient isopropyl myristate, a thickener used in many skin care products, though it has been known for years to cause pimples. Identifying the cause of persistent acne despite doing “everything” can be challenging, and it can even occasionally be related to a food allergy.
Acne has an 8-week cycle:
Every pore on your skin is lined with the skin cells that need to slough off. Blemishes (blackheads and whiteheads) form when a pore becomes clogged with these cells and oils build up in the skin. Bacteria then grow behind the plug, creating a pustule. This can take weeks to become noticeable and weeks to erupt and weeks to resolve. Larger cystic acne can result when the contents of the pimple break down the wall of the follicle and spread into the adjacent skin.
what are symptoms of acne?
Acne forms small lumps in and under the skin, eventually forming white heads (pustules) visible on the surface of the skin. Symptoms are lumps, red spots, white heads, blackheads (pores that are clogged with contents that undergo a chemical reaction and turn black). Acne can eventually heal with a dimpling or divot in the skin that results in permanent acne scarring. Acne can sometimes be painful or itchy or both.
How Is Acne Treated?
Acne Treatment goals:
- Exfoliate dead cells and keep pores unclogged: alpha- and beta-hydroxyacids, chemical peels
- Kill bacteria that contribute to acne: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics
- Promote cell turnover and exfoliation, decrease sebum production, change the skin’s reaction to hormones and stress: Retinols and Retin-A
The Glow approach to Eliminating Acne: 3-Month Treatment Plan
Daily Regimen: (Each morning and evening) We recommend products specific to your skin type to include:
- Strong Glycolic Acid or Combined Glycolic/Salicylic Acid cleanser
- Acne toner
- Light non-comedogenic moisturizer to ensure barrier repair
- Evenings Retinol or Retin-A (tretinoin) or our Prescription Acne Triple Gel (contains tretinoin, clindamycin, benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide)
We use only products with pure ingredients and no fragrances or irritants. It takes a good 3 months to change your skin completely, but we usually see an improvement within days to weeks.
Medical Treatments to Clear Acne
A three month program combining these treatments along with steady adherence to the Regimen should eliminate acne in most people.
What Should I Expect After Acne Treatment?
As discussed above, acne is an its own 8-week cycle. This means at any given time, you have 8 weeks worth of acne blemishes already on their way. Treatment tends to speed this up a bit, but expect to deal with healing acne for at least 8 weeks as the skin heals. Over time, the red spots slowly resolve. Any residual red spots or brown spots (hyperpigmentation) can be addressed with laser or BBL/IPL treatments. Maintenance requires continual high-quality skin care at home, avoidance of triggers and occasional acne facials or peels.
What is Resistant Acne? Could I have a dairy allergy?
Over 90% of our patients respond to our 3-Month treatment plan. But what about acne that seems to resist all efforts to defeat it? That’s time to evaluate allergies to products or foods. The most common allergy causing acne is to cow-milk and its products (whey and casein). Often, resistant acne disappears after a strict trial off of all cow-milk products (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cow-milk cheeses, ice cream, whey protein powders and all processed food containing whey or casein). This can be challenging because whey is packaged into so many processed foods. If cow-milk is not the culprit, consider a strict anti-inflammatory diet. If acne improves, foods can be added back in one-by-one over time. This can be difficult without help from a professional. We are happy to help-- we trouble-shoot acne every day.
How Is Acne Prevented?
We recommend continuous excellent home skin care that includes the regimen described above (exfoliant cleanser, acne toner and a retinol). If you avoid triggers and take care iof your skin, most acne can be prevented.
What to Avoid:
- Picking! It can cause scarring and hyperpigmentation-- which are much harder to treat.
- Over-washing and harsh scrubs-- this breaks down the skin’s barrier and can cause red eroded areas that do not heal well. Again-- scarring is much harder to treat than acne itself. Acne is not caused by dirt!
- Sweat left on the skin all day-- exercise heats the body and a warm wet environment promotes bacterial growth. Always make time to go through your skin care regimen after a work-out. It takes less than 2 minutes!
What is Accutane?
Accutane is a very effective drug for shrinking down the oil glands in the skin permanently, thus reducing or eliminating acne. However, Accutane is linked to a series of serious side effects, including bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease, liver damage, depression, and miscarriage and birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
In fact, women of childbearing age are required to enlist in a special pregnancy prevention program before beginning Accutane treatment. More than 7,000 lawsuits have been filed against Roche Pharmaceuticals, which stopped making Accutane in 2009, but generic versions of isotretinoin are still available. There are newer low-dose protocols now, which may reduce the toxic side effects. Therefore, low-dose accutane can be an effective treatment for severe refractory acne.
For all these reasons, we regard Accutane as a treatment of last resort. Come and see us at our Seattle or Kirkland location!
Treatment of Acne Scarring
We have excellent treatments for acne scarring at Glow Medispa– primarily using RF Microneedling with Genius RF and laser resurfacing. Not all acne scars are amenable to treatment, but most are. This treatment uses direct RF energy delivered with tiny needles into the skin– yes! We numb you first! More information on Genius RF can be found here.
The red spots respond very well to treatment as well, and there are several options. Genius RF is great at healing the red spots associated with old acne. The VI Peel and BBL/IPL also help resolve the red spots. Hyperpigmented spots from acne also respond well to treatment with the VI peel and BBL/IPL. Laser resurfacing with LaseMD Ultra is also highly effective.
Each person’s skin is different. We cater the treatments to your specific skin type and situation. If you want more information about treating acne or acne scarring, it is best to come in for a consultation. You can call us or book online here.
What's the Difference Between Acne and Pimples, and How Can I Tell Them Apart?
Great question! While many people use "acne" and "pimples" interchangeably, they're not exactly the same. Acne is a broader condition that includes several types of blemishes such as whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, and cysts. Pimples, on the other hand, typically refer to the individual inflamed bumps that appear as part of an acne breakout. Understanding this difference helps in choosing the right treatment approach.
Can Drinking More Water Actually Improve My Acne?
Absolutely! Staying well-hydrated is beneficial for managing acne because it supports a strong and healthy skin barrier. Dry or dehydrated skin is more prone to irritation and breakouts. By drinking enough water each day, you help your skin maintain its natural balance and strengthen your immune system—both important steps toward clearer skin.
Could My Makeup Products Be Causing My Acne Breakouts?
Yes, unfortunately makeup can contribute to acne breakouts. Many makeup and skincare products contain ingredients that may clog pores or irritate your skin, leading to pimples and inflammation. Opting for non-comedogenic, oil-free, and skin-friendly makeup can significantly reduce this risk and help keep your skin clear.
Are Professional Extractions Helpful or Harmful for Treating My Acne?
Professional acne extractions can be highly beneficial when performed safely by trained specialists. While squeezing pimples at home can spread bacteria, worsen inflammation, and cause scarring, professional extractions safely clear blocked pores and promote faster healing. At Glow Medispa, careful extraction techniques using specialized tools are key to achieving clearer, healthier skin without unwanted complications.
After Getting Acne Extractions, How Long Will My Skin Take to Fully Heal?
Typically, your skin will heal within a few days to a week following professional acne extractions. The exact healing time can vary depending on the severity and inflammation level of each extracted lesion. Proper aftercare, such as gentle cleansing and avoiding harsh skincare products, can further speed up recovery.
Is Surgical Treatment Ever Recommended for Acne, and Is It Safe?
In certain urgent situations, acne lesions can be treated with steroid injections to quickly reduce inflammation. However, this approach carries potential risks, such as skin thinning or scarring, and should only be considered in special cases. In most situations, professional extractions performed by trained skincare experts are a safer and equally effective alternative without significant side effects or risks of scarring.
What Acne Treatment Works Best for Adults Struggling With Breakouts?
For adults struggling with acne, a consistent skincare regimen is crucial. We recommend a comprehensive daily routine that includes an exfoliating cleanser to remove pore-clogging dead cells, an acne-targeting toner, and a retinol or tretinoin treatment to enhance skin renewal. When combined, these products work effectively to treat current acne and prevent future breakouts, leaving your skin clearer and healthier.
Why Do Adults Suddenly Develop Acne, Even Without a History of Teenage Breakouts?
Adult acne often occurs because your skin's natural cell turnover slows as you age, causing dead skin cells to build up and clog pores. Even if you never had acne as a teenager, this slower cell turnover in your 20s, 30s, and beyond can initiate breakouts. Thankfully, following a targeted skincare routine helps keep pores clear and significantly reduces adult acne outbreaks.
What's the Best Approach for Managing Hormonal Acne in Adults?
Hormonal acne flare-ups in adults are common due to natural hormonal shifts. Usually, treatment does not require directly manipulating hormones. Instead, effective topical treatments, consistent skincare regimens, and lifestyle adjustments can effectively manage hormonal acne and minimize future breakouts, providing lasting relief.
What Are the Primary Factors That Trigger Acne Breakouts?
Several key factors can trigger acne breakouts, including slowed skin cell turnover, clogged pores, bacterial growth, hormonal fluctuations, frequent touching or manipulation of skin, comedogenic ingredients in skincare and hair products, environmental pollutants, high humidity, and allergic reactions. Recognizing and addressing these triggers can help significantly reduce the occurrence of acne.
want to find out more about how to treat acne?
The best way to find out more is to schedule a consultation-- you can do that directly online, call us or fill out our contact form here. We look forward to hearing from you!
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