What Is Acne? Acne Facials By Miami's Top Med Spas

July 26, 2009 - PRLog -- COPYRIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

What is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory, papulopustular skin eruption stemming from the sebaceous ( oil) glands on the face, neck, shoulders, and upper back. The etiology of acne is unknown.

However, the simplest explanation is that the bacterial breakdown of sebum into fatty acids, wax esters and triglycerides (fats). Breakouts occur due to millions of bacteria harboring in as many as 5,000 sebaceous glands per square inch of facial skin.
Acne usually begins in adolescence and most of the time subsides in early adulthood. Acne is more severe in boys than girls. However, in males acne usually subsides by the age of 25 whereas in women many battle acne through their forties.

Acne presents itself by either blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules or cysts.
The severity of acne is directly correlated to the sebum secretion rate. Human sebum from isolated sebaceous glands consists mainly of wax esters ( lipids), triglycerides and even trace amounts of cholesterol. These fatty liquids develop into inflammatory acne lesions which present themselves as blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules or in sever cases cysts.

What causes acne scarring?

Inflammation is a result of infection caused by a bacterium called Propionobacterium acnes ( P-acne) that live on the surface of the skin and flourish within the blocked follicle. The result is the redness and swelling of the lesion. In chronic and more severe cases, the inflammation within a follicle can tear, causing damage to the surrounding skin triggering inflammatory response, resulting in potential deep scarring if left untreated.

What is a pimple?

Pimples present as a pus like lesion that is red and may be swollen. Pimples are formed by the cellular breakdown of the pores which allows bacteria to develop and cause the breakout.

What is a whitehead?

A white like lesion filled with bacteria which is caused by clogged pores due to sebum production.

What is a blackhead?

Presents with a dark like substance. Basically, it is bacteria that’s when exposed to air oxidizes.

What is a lesion?

A nodule like large, solid and often painful pus filled cyst that is trapped beneath the skin.

Do over the counter acne products work in fighting acne?

Most consumers go to their local drug store to look for over the counter products that are supposed to treat acne. The problem with these products is that they are mass produced and often they contain too little or too much of ingredients such as Benzoyl peroxide which either dries out the skin too much or does not yield any results.

Bay Harbour Med Spa offers 3 systems of Anti-Acne Fighting Products that will eradicate breakouts. Our products are never tested on animals. Furthermore, because we don’t mass produce products we have developed acne fighting products specifically made for you as an individual.

How do I treat severe acne?

In cases of individuals with severe acne you may need to go on medications prescribed by dermatologists.

Popular medications such as Accutane may be prescribed to you. Accutane is usually a 6 month therapeutic treatment and we suggest that you look up the side effects as they can be severe.

What about men with acne and facial hair?

When shaving men should do so carefully as to avoid nicking their breakouts.

Is it advisable to squeeze pimples?

No. Squeezing the pimples may cause infection because of the dirt on your hands.

How is nodular or cystic acne treated ( more severe acne)?

This type of acne may require the treatment by a dermatologist who may prescribe medication to you. In most cases Accutane which is taken orally but also comes with some side effects. These side effects may be: depression, loss of appetite, delayed cognition, dryness, itching, muscle aches and liver dysfunction. YOU MUST GO IN TO HAVE BLOOD WORK DONE to test the liver function if your doctor prescribes Accutane to you.Retin-A cream and anti-biotics may be prescribed as well.

What can I do to prevent or treat acne scarring?

Early treatment is the best way to prevent acne scars. If you have already developed acne scarring you will probably need to undergo medical skin treatments such as microdermabrasion ( a process by which your skin in abraded), or laser treatments which are very aggressive so do your research before you opt for laser rejuvenation treatments.

What treatments are offered at Bay Harbour Med Spa to help with acne?

We offer a variety of different skin treatments offered depending on your individual needs and skin issues.

Some of these treatments are:
1. Deep cleansing facials and back cleansing treatments
2. Crystal MicrodermabrasionTM ( gently and progressively abrades away layers of your skin and regenerating skin cell growth which can help reduce breakouts, enlarged pores and acne scarring)
3. Ultrasonic facials combined with customized products that are penetrated under the epidermic layer to fight the bacteria causing the acne breakouts.

We recommend that you schedule a complementary skin analysis consultation by calling Bay Harbour Med Spa at 305.864.3333. Once we analyze your skin and the severity of your acne we will customize treatments to your specific needs. We customize treatments for teens, men and women of all ethnic backgrounds.