Why I Choose Acne Laser Treatments - My Number One Choice For Success
Causes of Acne Acne is caused by blockages in follicles.
This blockage is typically caused from hyperkeratinization and plugs of keratin and sebum.
This is thought to result from adrenarche and the production of anabolic steroids such as DHEA.
These may enlarge to form open comedone (blackheads) or closed comedone (white heads).
These may become inflamed by the generally connensal bacteria propionibacterium acnes.
This results in redness, and eventually scarring or hyper-pigmentation.
Other Primary Causes oGenetic and Familial: Adolescents with acne are likely to have more family members with acne.
oHormonal: Increased sex hormone activity, whether pubertal or medically administered, can result in follicular gland growth.
This may account for pubertal and premenstrual acne.
oInflammation: Harsh soaps, irritation or scratching of the skin can result in inflammation, increasing the likelihood of acne.
oStress: Stress may not "cause" acne but the literature suggests it will increase its severity.
oChemical exposures: dioxins and some drugs like amphetamines have been shown to result in acne.
Acne in later years is not common.
In later life Rosacea is more common.
When adult women are found to have acne it is often associated with pregnancy or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Cushing syndrome is also associated with acne.
Menopause is also a common time to see a recurrence of acne due to a loss of the protective benefits of estradiol.
Diet The literature suggests the primary issue with diet has to do with glycemic index (GI).
The GI is a measure of how rapidly a food is converted to glucose - the sugar that circulates in the blood.
High GI foods include things made from white flours, simple carbohydrates and potatoes.
Basically these foods result in transient hyperglycemia, then reactive hyperinsulinemia.
This stimulates IGF-1.
IGF-1 (and insulin at high concentrations) can bind to IGF-1 receptors in the pilosebaceous unit.
This results in hyperkeratosis of the follicle.
It can also result in epidermal hyperplasia.
All of this results in the cascade of events described under "Causes of Acne" above.
Low GI diets have been helpful in the control of acne.
Milk Several studies have associated milk consumption use with acne.
The reason is not known but has been hypothesized as related to Bovine growth hormone.
Bovine insulin, like growth factor-1 or iodine, present in cow's milk.
Vitamins A and E People with acne have been shown to have low levels of both Vitamins A and E.
Treatments As we have seen, there seem to be a number of causes or contributing factors to acne.
Generally the best treatment is aimed at the cause and contributing factors.
Given that the Standard American Diet (SAD) is a high GI diet, it would be wise for any acne sufferer to be placed on a low GI diet.
Several studies have linked environmental endocrine disruptors to hormone imbalances.
It may be helpful to look at hormone relationships in acne patients.
Because oral antibiotics have been linked to long-term side effects (especially in women), such as breast cancer, they should be thought of as a last resort.
Despite the above the list of options, the complete list of acne treatments is long and include the following: Laser, topical bactericidals, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments, topical retinoids, oral retinoids, sulfur, dermabrasion, phototherapy, 'blue' and red light.
In our clinic we use a combination of diet, hormone balance with herbal products and laser.
Why Laser? The Nd:YAG laser is used to heat the tissue and sterilize the follicular unit.
In addition, it has been shown to reduce sebum production and reduce inflammation.
This is a safe and effective treatment that targets at least three of the known cause/promoter issues in acne.
In addition, the laser is safe and has no sign of treatment.
A patient may be treated and return to work without any sign of a therapy being done.
Often patients will call the next day and tell us that they see a great difference in the acne.
Many report complete resolution within 2 to 7 days.
We find that in a high percentage of patients we see the start of improvement in the acne within 12 to 48 hours.
If they do not, we will retreat at 2 weeks.
If no improvement at that time we will look more carefully at the diet and hormone piece.
This blockage is typically caused from hyperkeratinization and plugs of keratin and sebum.
This is thought to result from adrenarche and the production of anabolic steroids such as DHEA.
These may enlarge to form open comedone (blackheads) or closed comedone (white heads).
These may become inflamed by the generally connensal bacteria propionibacterium acnes.
This results in redness, and eventually scarring or hyper-pigmentation.
Other Primary Causes oGenetic and Familial: Adolescents with acne are likely to have more family members with acne.
oHormonal: Increased sex hormone activity, whether pubertal or medically administered, can result in follicular gland growth.
This may account for pubertal and premenstrual acne.
oInflammation: Harsh soaps, irritation or scratching of the skin can result in inflammation, increasing the likelihood of acne.
oStress: Stress may not "cause" acne but the literature suggests it will increase its severity.
oChemical exposures: dioxins and some drugs like amphetamines have been shown to result in acne.
Acne in later years is not common.
In later life Rosacea is more common.
When adult women are found to have acne it is often associated with pregnancy or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Cushing syndrome is also associated with acne.
Menopause is also a common time to see a recurrence of acne due to a loss of the protective benefits of estradiol.
Diet The literature suggests the primary issue with diet has to do with glycemic index (GI).
The GI is a measure of how rapidly a food is converted to glucose - the sugar that circulates in the blood.
High GI foods include things made from white flours, simple carbohydrates and potatoes.
Basically these foods result in transient hyperglycemia, then reactive hyperinsulinemia.
This stimulates IGF-1.
IGF-1 (and insulin at high concentrations) can bind to IGF-1 receptors in the pilosebaceous unit.
This results in hyperkeratosis of the follicle.
It can also result in epidermal hyperplasia.
All of this results in the cascade of events described under "Causes of Acne" above.
Low GI diets have been helpful in the control of acne.
Milk Several studies have associated milk consumption use with acne.
The reason is not known but has been hypothesized as related to Bovine growth hormone.
Bovine insulin, like growth factor-1 or iodine, present in cow's milk.
Vitamins A and E People with acne have been shown to have low levels of both Vitamins A and E.
Treatments As we have seen, there seem to be a number of causes or contributing factors to acne.
Generally the best treatment is aimed at the cause and contributing factors.
Given that the Standard American Diet (SAD) is a high GI diet, it would be wise for any acne sufferer to be placed on a low GI diet.
Several studies have linked environmental endocrine disruptors to hormone imbalances.
It may be helpful to look at hormone relationships in acne patients.
Because oral antibiotics have been linked to long-term side effects (especially in women), such as breast cancer, they should be thought of as a last resort.
Despite the above the list of options, the complete list of acne treatments is long and include the following: Laser, topical bactericidals, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, hormonal treatments, topical retinoids, oral retinoids, sulfur, dermabrasion, phototherapy, 'blue' and red light.
In our clinic we use a combination of diet, hormone balance with herbal products and laser.
Why Laser? The Nd:YAG laser is used to heat the tissue and sterilize the follicular unit.
In addition, it has been shown to reduce sebum production and reduce inflammation.
This is a safe and effective treatment that targets at least three of the known cause/promoter issues in acne.
In addition, the laser is safe and has no sign of treatment.
A patient may be treated and return to work without any sign of a therapy being done.
Often patients will call the next day and tell us that they see a great difference in the acne.
Many report complete resolution within 2 to 7 days.
We find that in a high percentage of patients we see the start of improvement in the acne within 12 to 48 hours.
If they do not, we will retreat at 2 weeks.
If no improvement at that time we will look more carefully at the diet and hormone piece.
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