What is Acne?
Most of us have suffered from some form of acne at some point in our lives. Whether it presents primarily as whiteheads, blackheads, pimples or cysts, acne can be unsightly and damaging to self-confidence and emotional well being. Although this condition is quite common, effective acne treatments can be elusive. In addition, acne may leave you with scarring. At CosMedics, we offer a wide variety of treatment options at our acne clinic in Edmonton to help reduce or eliminate your acne scars*, with plans personalized for each patient.
Acne occurs when the pores of the skin become clogged with too much oil, dead skin cells, and/or bacteria. Teenagers are the most commonly affected group when it comes to acne, but people of any age can struggle with this condition.
Acne Treatments
Over-the-counter washes, creams, and gels may be ineffective for some patients with acne. At CosMedics, we offer viable alternatives for acne care and acne scars. In Edmonton, some of our more popular treatments include chemical peels, laser treatments, and BLU-U.
BLU-U®
BLU-U® is a unique blue light that delivers clearer skin by destroying the P.acnes bacteria—the root cause of acne flare-ups. During this acne treatment, a patient sits in front of the blue light for a few minutes, with 1-2 sessions usually scheduled per week. Treatment is painless and is a popular alternative to medications and antibiotics.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels clear clogged pores, reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria that cause acne. A series of treatments and thorough home care are usually required for optimal results. Light acne peels are usually performed by our medical assistants and generally take only 10-15 minutes. While your face may appear pink after a mild peel, there is no downtime and makeup can be applied immediately. Most acne requires medical-strength peels to achieve improvement, those that are available at our practice, but not through a typical spa.
Laser treatments
Laser energy can be used to kill the bacteria responsible for the acne. Results usually last for a couple of months; after that, occasional maintenance treatments may be necessary.
Other options for treating acne
In addition to peels, lasers, and radiofrequency (RF), we offer other options for treating acne and acne scars. These include:
- Topical & oral retinoids
- Antibiotics
- Hormonal medication
- Medical skin care products
- Microdermabrasion
- Facials
- Non-comedogenic makeup
- Dietary and lifestyle education
Often, acne leaves scars even after it has cleared. For patients troubled by acne scars, we offer laser resurfacing and injectable dermal fillers. Your skilled skincare professional at CosMedics will help determine which method of acne treatment and acne scar treatment can best accomplish your goals.
What Causes Acne?
There are many factors that can be the underlying cause of acne; these include: stress, heredity, diet, lifestyle, some medications, heat, hormonal changes, birth control pills, humidity, friction, cosmetics, moisturizers, and others.
Acne Symptoms
Whiteheads, blackheads and inflamed pimples that usually appear on the face, but may also appear on the shoulders, back, chest, and arms.