|
| Raj Acquilla > Skin Problems, Acne Scars |
 |
What is acne?
Acne is the inflammation of sebaceous (oil producing) glands of the skin.
It is a common skin disorder affecting mostly young people, which peaks around age 17-19 and usually resolves by the mid to late 20's. |
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
What causes acne?
- Increased production of male sex hormones (androgens) during puberty stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.
- Increased production of sebum makes the opening of the sebaceous glands narrower, preventing the sebum from escaping. This causes the glands to swell, resulting in comedones (whiteheads) and blackheads (oxidised sebum).
- A common skin bacteria (Propionebacterium acnes) feeds on the sebum and produces waste products and fatty acids, which irritate and inflame the sebaceous gland. This results in redness and pimples.
What is the treatment?
This varies depending on the severity and is illustrated below:
|
| |
| Severity |
Treatment |
How it works |
| Mild acne |
Benzoyl peroxide (eg Panoxyl gel) |
Prevents narrowing of sebaceous gland opening |
| Mild / moderate acne |
Erythromycin + Zinc (eg Zineryt solution) |
Topical antibiotic (reduces bacteria) |
| Mild / moderate comedonal acne |
Adapalene (eg Differin gel) |
Topical retinoid (reduces sebum) |
| Moderate / severe inflammatory acne |
Minocycline / Doxycyline capsules |
Oral antibiotic (reduces bacteria) |
| Moderate / severe acne (women) |
Dianette tablets |
Oral anti-androgen (reduces sebum) |
| Severe cystic acne (Hospital only) |
Isotretinoin (Roaccutane capsules) |
Oral retinoid (reduces sebum) |
|
What causes acne scarring?
Scarring can occur at the site of an injury to tissue. In the case of acne, the injury is caused by the body's inflammatory response to:
- Sebum
- Bacteria (Propionebacterium acnes) and their debris
- Plugging of the sebaceous gland
Variations in the severity of scarring can be seen from persons to person. In general, the more severe (eg. nodulocystic acne) the acne, the greater the tendancy to scarring.
Types of acne scarring
There are 3 broad categories of scarring
1. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
This is redness or darkening of the skin around an acne lesion and tends
to last between 6-18 months, depending on the skin type.
2. Increased tissue formation (eg Hypertrophic / Keloid)
This is generally caused by excessive production of collagen and can persist for years. Steroid injections can be used to help, but such scars are notoriously difficult to treat.
3. Loss of tissue
- Ice pick scarring - usually on the cheeks.
- Depressed scarring - soft or hard with rolled edges.
- Atrophic scarring - soft with a wrinkled base
Treatments for acne scarring
Acne scarring can cause embarressment and emotional distress. The best form of scar treatment is prevention by early consultation and treatment for acne as outlined above. Scarring can be treated as follows:
- Chemical Peels
Effective for treatment of pigmentation and mild depressed scarring. May require 2-3 separate procedures.
- Laser and IPL
Effective for pigmentation and improves mild / moderate depressed scarring. Usually requires 5-6 treatments.
- Dermal fillers
Used to lift depressed scars and stimulate collagen production.
- Dermaroller®
Thousands of microscopic needle columns stimulate skin repair including new collagen formation and improved skin texture.
- Microdermabrasion
Using a vacuum and crystals to remove the surface layer of skin cells. Useful for rejuvenation but unlikely to help with deeper scarring.
• Skin surgery
Subcision - surgical release of the fibrous base of depressed scars. Excision - surgical removal of the scarred tissue.
|
| |
| Type of scarring |
Treatment |
Price |
| Mild / superficial |
Microdermabrasion |
from £55 |
Post
inflammatory
hyperpigmentation
|
Obagi Nu-Derm skin care |
£40-300 |
| Chemical peels |
£500-1100 |
| IPL / Laser |
£100-300 |
| Loss of tissue |
Dermal fillers |
from £150 |
| Subcision |
£230 |
| Sculptra™ |
from £390 |
|
| |
Click here for more information or to arrange a free consultation with Dr Raj Acquilla
Alternatively call 01606 882115 |
Web design Manchester - Elite