Acne treatments – Old vs. New

Lets revisit where acne treatments have been and where technology is taking us

I think we can all agree that acne, both in adolescence and as adults, is one of the most frustrating skin conditions to experience. Patients have had to withstand a frustrating array of treatment options, with more and more companies jumping on the “Acne bandwagon.”

This bandwagon is true for both treating the condition and the unfortunate scars that sometimes follow. That said we would like to explore some proven examples for treatment of both scars and the condition itself and how we are combing old remedies with new technology.

Acne condition treatment options at SAI

In the past, the accepted gold standard treatment for moderate acne has been correct deep pore cleansing using Benzoyl Peroxide and a bacterial antibiotic. For most cases this is still applicable today but this option has led to many dry and irritated skin complaints and we began to look for alternatives.

Chemical peels are great treatment alternatives for acne. Monthly chemical peels can and will treat acne by hastening skin exfoliation. By using a gentle superficial peel regularly you are effectively eliminating any excess oil build up and removing any potential blockages that could initiate a breakout.

Laser treatments too are proving to be a popular choice. They target the bacteria instead of the oil production by heating and killing the bacteria responsible for acne. This treatment option does prove more expensive but when used in combination with chemical peels offers patients extremely targeted treatments for acne with exceptional results. The chemical peel would open the pore for an enhanced treatment from the laser and you get the best of both worlds. Lasers are not often used for larger areas, such as the back due to cost implications.

At SAI we believe there is no single treatment for everyone, and you will need to undergo a skin analysis for Dr Clark and his team to recommend an acne treatment protocol for you.

What can SAI do for acne scars?

Acne scars are in no doubt the double whammy from suffering with acne conditions and it has only been in the last few years that successful treatment options have become available. In the past it was a matter of grin and bear it or suffer through a multitude of treatment options that couldn’t eradicate your permanent acne reminder.

Again, at SAI we believe that your skin is unique and your acne scars will respond to different treatments based on the type of scar, but also the quality of your skin. At SAI we are big believers in combination treatments for acne scars.
That said, here are our more popular treatment options:

Chemical peels are again featured, but this time we opt for deeper peels to promote new unblemished skin to the surface. This option does require multiple treatments and but the new skin will lighten your scar visibility and shallow deeper scars.

Microdermabrasion is another skin resurfacing technique to reduce visibility in acne scars. This is a process of removing the upper most layer of skin with a rough, hand held device. As the skin heals your scars will gradually reduce. There is downtime with this option but again it is minimal for the results. Skin resurfacing has been a treatment option in the past but new techniques and diamond tipped microdermabrasion machines have made the treatment option both accurate and safe.

Restylane Vital is the latest addition to the acne scar treatment arsenal. By injecting micro droplets of Restylane vital into the deep dermis of the skin we actively hydrate the skin and this plumping alone will diminish your scarring. Couple that with accurate placement of the product below deeper scars and Dr Clark can significantly reduce even the deepest pick axe scars. The downside to this technique is that it will need to be repeated on an annual basis, but the skin benefits are too great to allow yearly retreatment’s to become a deciding factor.

Fractional Ablative Laser is the last main stream acne scar treatment option available at SAI. This is a superb option for treating deep scars resistant to other treatments. The fractional ablative does not damage the surface of the skin but focuses deep into the dermis to stimulate new collagen production and reduce uneven skin contours and therefore acne scars. This type of laser means minimal downtime and targeted results.

When treating your individual needs it is important to not box yourself into one single treatment option. Some scars will be deep, other shallow and some might be found in difficult to treat areas. The team at SAI will provide you with options to treat all your scars, based on multiple factors with the idea to give you outstanding results.

It is important to make an appointment to see Dr Clark at SAI and let him assess your skin and treatment options, he will give you his best advice and talk you through your treatment process in detail. Call now on 011 883 3116.

Category: Articles