At Revitalise Skincare Clinic we are regularly asked by patients “why do I have acne?”. Acne is a common skin condition that unfortunately affects most people at some point in their lives, although it is most common amongst teenagers and young adults. It is estimated 80% of people aged 11-30 experience some form of acne. Acne can cause the skin to become oily, hot, spotty and painful to touch. The most common areas of the body the condition affects is the face, back and chest. Read on to find out the common causes of acne and all about our acne treatment in Bath and Wiltshire.
What causes acne?
There are several factors that can contribute to the onset of acne, however some of the key causes include:
- Blocked hair follicles – Hair follicles are the small holes in your skin that an individual hair grows out of. The tiny sebaceous glands, found near the surface of the skin, attach to the hair follicles and cause a blockage. The sebaceous glands lubricate the hair and skin to stop it drying out by producing an oily substance called sebum. In acne, the glands produce too much sebum which mixes with dead skin cells and this forms a plug in the hair follicle. This can turn into a whitehead or blackhead.
- Bacteria – We all have small amounts of harmless bacteria that naturally lives on our skin. The bacteria can contaminate and infect the plugged follicles which causes papules, pustules, nodules or cysts.
- Hormones – Acne can affect many teenagers during puberty, this is because of the increased levels of testosterone that occur. Sebaceous glands are particularly sensitive to hormones, increased levels of testosterone cause the glands to over produce sebum which causes acne. Hormonal changes during their period, pregnancy and the menopause means that women are much more likely to experience adult acne than men.
- Cosmetics – Some cosmetic products, such as makeup and skincare can trigger acne. It is important to look out for products that are non-comedogenic meaning that they won’t clog the pores.
There are several things that can trigger acne or make it worse, such as picking at the skin or stress. Stress to your body increases the hormone cortisol which causes inflammation, in turn making the skin worse.
Types of acne spots
Acne can present itself in many different ways and can range from mild to severe. The different types of acne spots include:
- Blackheads – Blackheads are also known as open comedones, they are filled with excess oil and dead skin cells. They most commonly appear in the t-zone which is where the skin produces the most oil. Their black appearance is a result of the reflection coming from the clogged hair follicle.
- Whiteheads – Whiteheads are also known as closed comedones, they occur when oil and skin cells prevent a clogged hair follicle from opening. They typically appear as a bump with a white coloured tip.
- Papules – Papules are comedones that become inflamed forming small red bumps that may feel tender or sore to the touch.
- Pustules – Pustules are similar to papules but instead are filled with white or yellow pus.
- Nodules – Nodules are large, inflamed lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and are normally painful.
- Cysts – Cysts are the most severe type of acne spot that present as a large pus filled lump.
What treatments do you offer?
Whilst various treatments exist, new advancements continually revolutionise skincare. Plasma shower technology has emerged as a leading tool for managing acne and is a treatment we offer at Revitalise Skincare Clinic.
Plasma Shower Acne Care at Revitalise Skincare Clinic
This acne treatment is quick, pleasant and suitable for men and women of all ages. The advanced plasma technology generates ti-oxygen which kills 99% of acne bacteria, reduces inflammation and promotes skin healing. The treatment works by disrupting the bacterial membranes which in turn reduces and inflammation. It also exfoliates dead skin cells and sebum which prevents pore blockages and subsequent lesion formation. There is no discomfort or recovery time allowing you to resume your normal day immediately after treatment. As Plasma is a relatively new technology, it is not available in many UK clinics. Revitalise Skincare Clinic are one of few clinics that offer Plasma and our Medical Practitioner is fully qualified to carry out the treatment.
Above is an amazing before and after from one of our patients that suffers with acne. This patient had 3 sessions of our Plasma Shower treatment.
Who is the technology most suitable for?
Our Plasma Shower treatment works best for individuals with inflammatory acne, often characterised by red, swollen and painful breakouts. It is ideal for those who have tried various over-the-counter medications, prescription creams, or oral medications with limited success. Plasma shower therapy offers a new approach to tackling stubborn acne. Its ability to penetrate deep into the skin allows for targeted treatment of acne lesions that may not respond well to other therapies. It is a great option for patients who want a non-invasive approach to treatment with minimum downtime or side effects. Treatment also stimulates collagen production and promotes skin regeneration, which can help with acne scarring.
Obagi Blue Peel
Another treatment option we recommend to patients that struggle with their skin is Obagi Blue Peel. Obagi Blue Peel is a chemical peel which is used to improve the skins texture and tone. An acid is applied to the skin to lower the pH, which loosens the connections between dead skin cells. The acid exfoliates the skin and stimulates new cell growth. This process causes superficial layers of dead skin to peel off which reveals a smoother and more radiant complexion.
In conjunction with treatment we always advise our patients to use Medical grade skincare products. At Revitalise Skincare Clinic we have a range of prescription only products that are very successful at treating acne; this is the Clenziderm range from Obagi.
This patient has had a course of Obagi Blue Peel treatment alongside using our prescription skincare products.
Next steps
We understand acne can have a massive effect on an individuals self confidence. At Revitalise Skincare Clinic we want to help you feel confident and happy with your skins appearance. If you’re suffering with acne and would like to discuss your treatment options, contact us to book in for a consultation with our Medical Practitioner Arvin. Arvin is highly skilled and experienced in using Plasma technology and at treating acne. She will carry out a full consultation, examine your skin and discuss treatment options which can be used in conjunction with medical grade skincare products to get your skin looking its best.
Get in touch today to talk to us about how we can help.
Email address: [email protected]
Contact Number: 01225 760556
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