Treatment for acne

What is acne and why is it so hard to control?

There are many types of acne. The most common is called acne vulgaris. Almost everyone goes through a period of acne at one time or another.

Just beneath the surface of the skin lie hundreds of tiny glands called sebaceous glands. Their function is to collect and excrete the oily substance called sebum, to keep the skin healthy.

However, the tiny pathway for the sebum to escape often becomes clogged, and a bacterium called p. acnes grows inside. In a short time, the area swells up, and forms a pimple on the skin. At certain times of life, this process becomes very active, troublesome and hard to control.

Acne

Is there a new way to control moderate acne?

There are many treatments for moderate acne – creams, washes, medications – mild ones and very strong ones. However, our doctors may decide that certain medications, such as antibiotics, aren’t right for you. Your case of moderate acne many not be responding to medications or other conventional treatments. It may be hard for your to keep up with complicated routines of skin care. Maybe it’s time to consider something new.

What’s the Blue Light Treatment? How does it work?

There is now a new treatment available that doesn’t depend on medication. It’s called the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy illuminator Model 4170. The BLU-U is a very special blue light that can kill the p. acnes bacteria in your skin. Treatments are simple – you simply sit with your face close to the light for a short times at a scheduled set up by Dr. Albert, usually a 15-minute session about once or twice per week. The treatments may go on for five weeks or so. It’s very safe, it’s not hot, it’s not painful at all. After some weeks the blue light can control your acne, or clear it up for a very long period. The BLU-U was cleared by the FDA in 2003 for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Kératose actinique et les dommages causés par le soleil

À la suite du traitement, les patients doivent protéger du soleil les lésions traitées en portant un chapeau à larges bords ou autre bonnet semblable en tissu léger et opaque. Les filtres solaires ne protègent pas contre les réactions de photosensibilité provoquées par la lumière. Par conséquent, les patients devront éviter la lumière du soleil durant 24 heures.
Les lésions traitées se desquameront et se recouvriront d’une croûte pendant quelques jours avant de guérir.

Le traitement est sans douleur. Une légère rougeur ou rougeur modérée (semblable à un léger coup de soleil) peut apparaître durant quelques jours, ainsi qu’une légère pelure de la peau.

Nous recommandons des visites de suivi à la suite du traitement.

Qu’est-ce que la kératose actinique?

La kératose actinique est caractérisée par des taches sèches et rugueuses sur la peau, provoquées par une exposition au soleil excessive, et pouvant quelquefois se transformer en dangereux cancers de la peau.