Clinical Treatments For Acne and Scarring

Posted: Tuesday 4 May 2010 10:51am

When adult acne has been properly diagnosed a good home skin care routine in place (which may include medication), clinical and salon treatments can significantly assist in the skin’s fightback against acne.
Even more excitingly, advances in clinical treatments mean that acne scars and discolouration can be drastically reduced, often reversed, when in previous generations they could remain as lifelong legacies of the condition.
Some treatment options to consider:

Photo Dynamic Therapy is a treatment involving the application of ALA (aminolevulinic acid) which is then activated by a blue- or red- coloured LED light source.
“Once the skin is under good control, PDT is very effective for reducing the number of sebaceous glands in the skin [where the acne forms] with longterm benefits,” says Dr Joseph Ajaka, Medical Director of Sydney’s Cosmos Cosmetic Medicine Clinic.
PDT mimics the natural process of the sun’s reaction on the skin. ALA is the body’s own “suicide bomb”, according to Dr Ajaka, and increases in the sebaceous glands in response to solar exposure, killing them (and the bacteria within).
It works threefold:
• Destruction of the sebaceous glands – blockage of these glands is primarily responsible for causing acne to form.
• The destruction of P. acnes, the bacteria that triggers acne.
• As a bonus patients notice improved skin texture and tone. It also reduces pigmentation, broken capillaries and fines lines.
However, this should not encourage acne sufferers to take a “shortcut” and just lie in the sun instead. “The sun pro-ages you, and leads to lines, wrinkles and other damage,” adds Dr Ajak. “PDT is not harmful.”
Frequency of treatments depends on the severity of the condition.

Blue Light Therapy is a non-laser, non-UV light therapy that penetrates deep into the acne cysts to destroy the acne-causing bacteria. It is recommended for mild to moderate acne/inflammation and is particularly beneficial when used to treat acne in its early stages, according to Sydney’s Facial Rejuvenation Clinic. It is effective on all skin types and on any area of the body.
“The blue-violet beam of light targets the exact layers of sebaceous glands where most acne bacteria reside. It causes the oxidisation of certain chemicals (porphyrins) within the acne bacteria, breaking down their cell walls,” says Dr Garry Cussell.
“t can be combined with ALA, which is applied to the skin before the light therapy to increase the photosensitivity of the bacteria.”
Patients lie under a lamp that emits a blue-violet beam of light for short sessions, wearing special goggles to shield the eyes. Initially two sessions are required per week for four weeks.
Afterwards there may be temporary pigment changes, slight swelling of the treated areas as well as some skin dryness. Skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight for about 48 hours.
After four weeks patients should see mild to significant improvement in their acne. Maintenance sessions may be needed.

Chemical skin peels resurface the skin to treat skin blemishes such as sun damage, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, acne and acne scarring, says Dr Deborah Davis. “They exfoliate the outer layers of dead skin to reveal the more beautiful, fresher skin beneath which has improved tone, smoother texture, and more even colour.
“Chemical peels can be light, medium (TCA) or heavy, depending on your skin type and concern. Light chemical peels are usually performed repetitively over a course of treatments, whilst medium or heavy chemical peels are usually a one-off.
Adds Dr Garry Cussell of Sydney’s Facial Rejuvenation Clinic: “Chemical peels work on the damaged outer layers of skin with a mild acidic solution. The treatment is believed to remove dead skin cells, clear up blocked pores and boost growth of new skin cells. However, the ability of chemical peels alone to decrease acne has not been proven. They are often used in combination with a topical cream to increase their effectiveness.”
Ballpark cost of light to medium peels: $100-$500

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment that rejuvenates the skin on the face, neck or arms with virtually no downtime, according to cosmetic physician Dr Deborah Davis, of Sydney’s Heber Davis clinic. “It deeply exfoliates the skin’s ageing, damaged, outermost layers to reduce imperfections and sun damage, blemishes, fine lines and uneven pigmentation.
“While aged, dull surface skin sheds naturally in the young, as we age this process slows, allowing a layer of dull, thickened skin to accumulate and to obscure the healthy radiant skin below.
“Microdermabrasion can reduce mild acne scarring and blotchy pigmentation, and can improve the appearance of poorly textured skin, fine lines, and large or clogged pores. The procedure is considered effective for both dark- and light-skinned patients.”
Ballpark cost: $150 per treatment, or course of 5 treatments $550

OMNILUX™ was developed in the UK after 12 years’ medical research, based on using a narrow band of light delivered through Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). When the body is exposed to light, these receptors absorb the light waves and kick-start a cellular response. Different wavelengths of light will stimulate different cellular responses within the cell, according to True Solutions, Australian distributors of OMNILUX and premium brands of cosmeceutical skincare. OMNILUX blue™, which delivers Blue Light therapy, has proven to be an ally in the fight against acne. It stimulates anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activity in the deeper layers of the skin, working to stabilise sebum production and treat acne.
When OMNILUX revive™ and OMNILUX blue™ are used in combination therapy the benefits for the skin are combined, in that you can treat the acne with the Blue Light and the redness, inflammation and acne scarring with the Red Light.

Fractional lasers are the skin rejuvenation and correction breakthrough of the last decade. Instead of treating the whole skin surface they treat a polkadot pattern of small treatment zones – a “fraction” of the skin surface. But in that fraction it treats more deeply in the skin in very narrow columns.
By treating only a fraction of the top surface of the skin, it leaves the rest, and especially the epidermis on top, uninjured so it can heal very quickly and very well over these narrow treatment zones. By doing this it is possible to achieve the benefits of a deeper treatment but with minimal downtime and fast recovery of only a few days.
“Treatments such as this need to be done by a highly experienced operator, such as a trained doctor or nurse, combined with a high quality laser platform,” says David Segal, practice manager of the Cosmos Clinic and author of the book Skin, The Essential Australian Guide.
“Do your homework and do not settle for anything sub-standard, as inappropriate or poor treatments can make the situation worse.”
See the following story for more information about laser, light and other therapies to treat acne scarring and discolouration, and different types of scarring.

>> Read more about Scar Removal options here

by Jenni Gilbert

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