Acne Treatment

Effective and Professional Acne Treatments

Together, we will find the best acne solution for you. Based on your skin assessment and goals, your treatment protocol may involve one or a combination of the following:

Chemical Peels
One method of treating acne that we provide is the chemical peel. This treatment involves applying a therapeutic formulation to the outer skin layer that cause peeling, or exfoliation. The peeling of the dead and damaged skin cells unblocks pores, resulting in less acne.

Cosmeceuticals
You may also be interested in cosmeceuticals. These are topical treatments like lotions, creams, and ointments that mix helpful medications with cosmetic products. They reduce acne while also providing other benefits like moisturizing skin. Most can be performed as an at-home regimen.

Blu-U Light Therapy
The Blu-U acne treatment is a popular acne solution for clients with mild to moderate acne. It is a nice alternative to ointments and medications. The Blu-U light treatment is a blue light therapy that kills bacteria on your skin and therefore can clear or control your acne. Blu-U treatments are simple and non-evasive. You simply sit with the light close to your face for about 20 minutes, once or twice a week, depending on the severity of your acne. Blu-U treatments can clear mild to moderate inflammatory acne in a few visits. Treatments are safe and there is absolutely no downtime for this procedure.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Patients with a small or moderate amount of acne find this to be quite helpful. To enhance the effects of Blu-U, it can be paired with photodynamic therapy (PDT) or topical Levulan medication. Photodynamic therapy treatment begins with the application of a topical treatment to increase light sensitivity in the target area. Light treatment is then used on the region to destroy bacteria and shrink oil glands. These treatments provide both preventive and therapeutic benefits. The downtime for the procedure is minimal and can be undertaken even if your skin is suntanned. PDT treatments lead to a smoother and rejuvenated appearance by maintaining or recovering healthy skin.

Blu-U Acne Therapy

• Blu-U

  Blu-U is a form of advanced light therapy highly effective in the treatment of acne. Exceptionally safe, this technology emits blue light at wavelengths of 400-450 nm to target and destroy the bacteria that causes acne: Propionibacterium acnes. In a study of patients aged 25-45, significant reductions in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions were experienced. Breakouts and redness were also significantly reduced.

  Over 90% of patients reported an improvement in the tone, texture and clarity of their complexion. 86% reported that the treatment was much gentler as well!

• Photodynamic Therapy

  Levulan, a topical medicine compound, is applied before the exposure to a Blu-U light for the treatment of persistent blemishes or more severe acne. The compound is activated with the light to attack the acne bacteria. Usually 3 treatments are scheduled at intervals of 4 weeks. Most patients experience long term improvement following Blu-U /PDT treatments. Blu-U light treatment can be an option for acne treatment when scrubs, peels, topical products or pills have failed. Photodynamic treatments provide effective improvement of not just acne, but also sun damage. It can effectively treat various actinic keratoses and other lesions.

What is Acne?

Common acne is medically known as acne vulgaris. Acne is a very common problem which has affected over 95% of the population at some point in their life. Usually, acne starts around puberty. This is when particular oil glands “wake up” as they are stimulated by male hormones, like testosterone, which are produced in the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Some are fortunate enough to have only a mild, temporary case during puberty, but many aren’t so lucky. However, for many people it has become a chronic problem that occurs later in life. When it progresses from more than an occasional pimple, it is often considered a medical condition. In fact, acne is the single most common skincare issue seen by doctors. Though there are a variety of different kinds of acne, in general it is described medically as a localized skin inflammation that is a result of overproduction of oil by the glands at the base of specialized hair follicles.

Acne results from the obstruction and inflammation of the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands produce and excrete an oily substance called sebum, which helps protect the skin. When the pathway for the sebum becomes clogged, bacteria infects the gland causing blackheads, whiteheads and acne.

Blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, cysts, pustules, and papules are all types of acne that form on the skin.

Whiteheads
Appearing as firm bumps on the skin with white tops, whiteheads are closed comedones that commonly appear in areas that produce more oil, like on the forehead, nose and chin.

Blackheads
Blackheads are open comedones because the pore is unobstructed. Dead skin cells and debris are exposed to air, and this oxidization is what turns them black.

Pustules
Pustules are basically whiteheads that are inflamed, making them appear redder and even swollen.

Papules
Papules are closed comedones that are smaller and more solid.

Cysts
Cysts are are a more severe form of acne. These pimples are filled with pus and develop deeper in the skin. They can be painful.

Nodules
Nodules are the most severe form of acne. They’re like cysts, but are larger, more inflamed and develop deeper in the skin.

The Effect of Acne on Your Appearance

These pimples can be prominent on the face, creating an undesirable first impression.

For decades acne has been seen as a rite of passage into adulthood. But unfortunately, our society places a lot of value on appearances, and isn’t very tolerant of skin imperfections and blemishes. As such, even mild acne can have a number of negative emotional consequences, including:

• Social withdrawal
• Decreased self-esteem
• Decreased self-confidence
• Poor body image
• Embarrassment
• Depression
• Anger
• Frustration
• Preoccupation
• Negative impact on academic or professional performance

Vancouver patients experiencing acne outbreaks may feel depressed and frustrated, with low self-esteem and self-confidence issues. If you are experiencing an acne outbreak, we offer numerous treatment methods to clear up your skin.

What Causes Acne Outbreaks?

Our skin has millions of pores, which are tiny holes in the tissue that allow oil to escape the body and lubricate the skin. These pores have hairs. When a pore gets clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and hair, it creates a perfect medium for bacteria to grow thereby causing the formation of pimples.

These clogs can come about as a result of hormone level fluctuations, various medications, heredity, and certain types of makeup. People with oily skin are more likely to have more severe acne. Acne outbreaks can be worsened by skin irritation or pressure, humidity, air pollution, and changes in hormone levels.

Boys and girls typically get acne during puberty, when they are between 10 and 13 years old, and outbreaks continue for a period of around five to ten years. The worst acne cases are experienced by teen boys. However, around 20% of people have outbreaks that occur in their adult years. Women experience this issue more often than men.

Along with facial acne, many Vancouver patients experience outbreaks on areas of the body such as the upper legs, upper arms, neck, shoulders, back, and chest.

Experience The Heights Laser Centre Difference

• We Treat You Right

  As our patient, you receive excellent aesthetic care in a relaxed and supportive setting. Walk through the doors of our medical spa, and you become part of a family—one that’s committed to achieving your personal goals. We’re frequently complimented on how friendly and down-to-earth our whole team is. That’s why many of our patients have been with us for several years.

• 

  We are a board certified physician-led medical spa that has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2009. We have been granted an A+ rating for our excellent track record in patient service and treatment. This allows you to have unparalleled confidence in the quality and safety of the care you will receive.

• Proven to Work, By Us

  There are so many acne treatments available on the market today, so how do you know which ones actually work? Our doctors and staff personally try out treatments to see which ones are as effective and safe as they claim. After we test them out on ourselves, we choose only those that live up to their claims to offer to you. That way, we know that it will actually work!