What treatments for acne are available at Doctors of
California Laser and Cosmetic Center?
We strongly urge patients to exhaust conservative methods of
acne treatment including proper cleansing, exfoliation, benzoyl
peroxide, retinoic or salicylic acid topicals, as prescribed by
their physicians, before resorting to photodynamic therapy, laser
or photoactivated Levulan™ (Levulinic acid).
Acne • Why does acne occur?
Acne occurs for a variety of reasons including
an inability of skin cells to shed properly, causing the pores to
plug, forcing the oil and bacteria that would naturally escape to
be trapped inside. As the oil and bacteria accumulates, the skin
becomes inflamed and swells outward forming the familiar
whiteheads, blackheads and pimples. Acne is seen in many age
groups, but is most common in teens and frequently appears on the
face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest.
What systems treat acne?
Doctors of California Laser and Cosmetic Center offers numerous
effective acne treatments. After exhausting conservative
treatments we offer the Blu-U™ photodynamic treatment. Blu-U is a
totally non-invasive treatment.
BLU-U ACNE LIGHT TREATMENT
(Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy)
This procedure is non-invasive and pain free, with full-face
and neck treatments taking approximately 15 minutes. The BLU-U
acne light works with all skin types (I-VI) and it is just fine if
you have a suntan! Blue light photodynamic therapy acts by killing
acne causing bacteria.
Blue
light photodynamic therapy acts by killing acne causing
bacteria.
This light is comparable to other acne light treatments such as
the Clearlight™ and the Omni-Lux™, and equally effective.
Patients simply sit comfortably in a chair while the light is
applied to the affected area; they can even listen to music
while being treated.
Patients
simply sit comfortably in a chair while the light is applied to
the affected area; they can even listen to music while being
treated (iPods are encouraged.)
Once the treatment session is over, patients can immediately
return to their daily routine. This means no downtime or
inconvenience, especially important factors for active teens and
young adults.
Acne is estimated to affect more than 80% of the world’s
population at some time during their life. In the U.S., billions
of dollars are spent on anti-acne medications and treatments, but
many oral acne treatments (Accutane® and other antibiotics) are
known to have serious side effects. Blu-U acne light therapy is
effective, painless, and has no known side effects.
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Acne Treatment FAQs
How many treatments are required?
Typically, treatment sessions
are approximately 15 minutes long twice a week for up to 10 weeks.
It is important to keep the treatment appointments recommended. By
following the treatment plan, you'll see maximum results and enjoy
clearer skin. For optimum results, a maintenance treatment session
once a month is recommended after completion of the initial
series.
How safe is it? Are there any side-effects?
The BLU-U treatment is very safe. The blue-violet light penetrates
just deep enough into the tissue to reach the acne target. It only
affects the P. acnes bacteria, not the normal tissue. Even though
there is no evidence of complications, we will not perform this
treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How do I prepare for my treatment?
The face should be cleansed
with soap and water and free of any oil. Ladies need to be make-up
free during the treatment. Make-up may be re-applied immediately
after the treatment. We will provide a skin preparation pad to
further cleanse oils from the skin. We may recommend a skin
exfoliation product to further enhance the photodynamic therapy.
Lasers in the
Treatment of Acne
How do lasers help clear acne?
Light pulses are delivered
through the skin's surface, targeting an organic compound
generated by the Propionibacterium acnes (p. acne) bacteria called
porphyrin. These porphyrins are photosensitive and when targeted
by light, generate singlet oxygen, which kill the p. acne bacteria
that cause inflammation.
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How long should the treatment take?
Treatment times will vary depending on the size of the treatment
area, though a full face will frequently take about 20 minutes.
How many treatments should I need?
Dr. Gutman frequently starts
with a four treatment course, two per week for two weeks. More
treatments may be needed for those with more severe acne.
How
long do the effects last?
Clinical data suggests that most
patients find their acne improves after two weeks of twice weekly
treatments. While many patients continue to improve over the
months following treatment, some patients experience a plateau in
their improvement. Repeated treatments may be necessary to
maintain results.
How effective are lasers in the treatment of
acne?
In studies conducted at Wellman Labs in Massachusetts and at
a private facility in California, 91% of patients saw their acne
improve by an average of 66%. In the most recent clinical study
patients saw their acne become 81% less severe.
What will happen
in the procedures?
After discussing your medical history,
including any drugs you are currently taking, with your medical
practitioner, the treatment area will be cleaned and a thin layer
of clear gel will be applied. Dr. Gutman will glide the laser
handpiece over the treatment area in a brushing motion as the
laser light is pulsed safely through the skin. If an IPL treatment
is offered, the laser head will be placed directly on the skin.
Is it painful?
Many patients describe the laser pulses as feeling
like the snap of a rubber band against the skin, however
treatments done over active lesions may be more uncomfortable.
Your medical practitioner may recommend a topical anesthetic in
order to make treatments more comfortable.
When should I see
results?
Patients frequently see results within the first week
following treatment. Most will see results within two weeks.
Are
there side effects?
Immediately following the procedure patients
may experience mild to moderate redness and swelling that will
fade in as little as a couple hours to as much as a few days.
Can I apply make up right afterwards? Yes.
If Blu-U and Laser do
not control my symptoms, do you have an even more effective acne
treatment?
Photodynamic Therapy
Doctors of California Laser and Cosmetic Center
offers far more than hope and a prescription. We offer a
combination of Levulan with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).
Photodynamic acne therapy
involves the application of Levulan ( 5-aminolevulinic acid), a
photosensitizing agent, which is then activated with blue-light.
This results in significant improvement in moderate to severe
cystic acne.
Blue Light Levulan acne treatment involves three mechanisms of
action against acne. Levulan treatment inactivates the bacteria
that trigger acne, exfoliates the skin to unclog pores, and the
most exciting mechanism is that Levulan treatment shuts down the
sebaceous glands in the skin. This is exciting because sebaceous
glands are the root cause in the formation of acne so it has a
long lasting effect even on severe acne.
Resistant and Cystic Acne frequently fails to respond to
typical measures of control. A safe topical two-step treatment
which chemically coats and then destroys acne bacteria offers a
new solution.
By the time our physicians recommend Levulan/Photodynamic
Treatment (L-PDT), topical and systemic (oral) antibiotics have
failed. Although they are helpful in the treatment of cystic acne,
they are not usually sufficient to provide adequate control. Left
under treated or untreated, cystic acne will almost always leave
permanent scars on the face or other affected areas such as the
chest and back. An acne sufferer, therefore, suffers twice once
with the active acne and then with embarrassing and sometimes with
disfiguring scars. Proper treatment brings great relief on both
levels by minimizing the acne and thus preventing the scarring
that would otherwise come from it. The positive emotional impact
of controlling acne is immeasurable.
Our doctors apply light-activated Amino-Levulinic Acid (Levulan,
the liquid agent that penetrates the offending acne cells) and
then chooses Blu-U light or laser to turn on the action. The
activated Levulan selectively destroys acne bacteria and shrinks
overactive oil glands which supply nutrition for acne bacteria.
We suggest two Levulan treatments, two weeks apart for initial
treatment. Subsequent maintenance treatments are usually required.
The impact on acne is immediate and long-lasting. Levulan- PDT is
the "big gun" in the war against acne and if used appropriately,
will improve acne conditions faster and more completely (with the
least side effects) than any other treatment available.
Dr. Gutman or Hoyle will apply the
medicine.
