Dermatologists now know that acne is a chronic disease, with recent studies showing that acne results in higher rates of depression. That’s why at Skindepth we believe in producing a life plan to both control, and keep pimples away for life. Dr Alice Rudd treats acne in all age groups but has a special interest in acne affecting post-adolescent females. She sees the all-to-common scenario of cystic acne appearing when women come off the contraceptive pill. She also deals with women who battle acne in the context of underlying hormonal issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Skindepth use a variety of medical and non-medical treatments to manage acne and always adopt a multidisciplinary approach employing other hand picked health specialists from our network if needed.
Acne (pimples) is a chronic condition, that affects teenagers, and adults. It is the result of increased hormonal activity (androgens) that results in increased production of oil (sebum) in the skin. This oiliness clogs the pores (sebaceous glands) which allows bacteria to grow. Inflammation (redness, lumps and cysts) and pus develops. Acne can lead to scarring even if you do not pick your pimples. Acne often runs in families and in some cases may be related to underlying hormonal or medical issue. In some cases it may be related to medications taken.
Acne is common particularly in women in their 20s and 30s. We see this mostly as a result of ceasing the contraceptive pill (for child bearing or other reasons). Many women did not even know they had acne, or were put on the pill early in life to control teenage acne. There may be underlying hormonal factors that need to be considered. Acne in this time of life presents a management dilemma, as most treatments can’t be given when wanting to conceive. Usually we recommend medical treatment to get the acne quickly, and hopefully permanently controlled. If medical treatment is not desired, we devise topical medicated regimes in combination to treatments to get the best results.
Treatment of acne generally involves reducing the oil in the skin, clearing out the pores and controlling any inflammation. Treatment usually starts topically with a range of skin products or prescription grade retinol and antibiotics. Oral agents may also be required. These can be oral antibiotics, oral hormonal treatments, or oral isotretinoin.
While acne treatment predominantly has a medical influence, the Skindepth team believes that acne should also be treated from the inside. This holistic approach involves evening out the hormones, modifying your diet and reducing levels of inflammation inside your body.
Skindepth’s Acne Clinic is a service dedicated to treating acne sufferers. The clinic provides a tailored approached with the use of dermaceutical-level products and treatments. All initial consultations will be undertaken by one of Skindepth’s acne experts, who are experienced in treating acne-prone skin (Dermal Clinician).
In the Acne Clinic consultation you will:
· discuss and set skin goals
· receive a thorough skin assessment
· receive an integrated and customised plan
This skin plan will include recommendations such as skincare products and in-clinic treatments that will reduce inflammation and breakouts, treat scarring and improve the skin’s texture. Dietary recommendations and other lifestyle information will also be provided.
Patients that require further assessment will be fast-tracked to see Dr Alice Rudd for a medical consultation. During this appointment all medical treatment options will be discussed and formalised as part of the skincare plan. Skindepth’s Acne Clinic provides the perfect opportunity for their clients to get on top of their acne without long wait periods for consultation appointments.
Chemical peels are a widely used treatment to help manage acne. They are oftenadded into therapies like retinoids and antibiotics. Countless studies have supported the efficacy for acne peels in diminishing breakouts and improving skin texture and tone. A series of acne peels can show improvement over a short period of time. The most commonly used chemical peels in treating acne are salicylic acid, resorcinol, lactic acid, pyruvic acid and TCA and are tailored to an individuals type of acne.
Often acne leaves marks on the skin that are discolored. Redness, pigmentation and scarring are real concerns of our patients.
Redness from acne (either active acne or old acne lesions) can be treated effectively with the Vbeam laser 2-3 treatments. Vbeam laser has an anti-inflammatory effect so may be helpful in acute active lesions, and is also effective at treating redness left as the result of previous pimples. We find once redness of the skin is controlled, our patients feel a lot better.
The Pastelle pigment laser is effective at treating some of the post inflammatory pigmentation that results from old acne lesions.
LED light therapy actively controls and reduces inflammation caused by acne and helps active lesions heal more quickly and relieves pain associated with acne lesions. It promotes rejuvenation of the skin by treating down to a cellular level.
Venus Viva is an advanced NanoFractional Radio Frequency technology is a non invasive treatment that creates ablation, coagulation and resurfacing of the skin for mild to moderate acne scarring. Needle-shaped pins penetrating through the top layer of the skin to trigger the skins own natural healing process and remodel the collagen that is damaged in the acne scarring process.
Fractionated laser creates columns of skin wounds that encourages the skin to regenerate new healthy tissue. The technology also leaves columns of skin in tact so that side effects are few and downtime and recovery periods are minimized. The Fraxpro 1550 technology penetrates deep into the dermis where the majority of atrophic scarring sits and repairs the damaged skin on a cellular level. Several treatments for acne scarring may be required and its important to note that acne scarring often takes a variety of treatment modalities.
Sometimes when acne scarring is very deep and has created a significant textural abnormality that is not treatable with other modalities we call in the big guns. Ablative co2 and erbium lasers create wounds in the skin that affects all the skin (unlike fractionated lasers which leave some of the skin intact) For this reason the ablative c02 laser is very effective but can carry risk. Often much fewer treatments are required with this type of laser for acne scarring due to the dramatic results.
TCA cross is for what we call ‘ice pick’ acne scarring. Ice pick acne scarring is a form of atrophic acne scarring that we need to treat on a deep level. Most other treatments cannot get to the depth of this treatment. The treatment involves the application of a 100% saturated tricholacetic acid with a tiny syringe or toothpick into the acne scar. Immediately the skin frosts white and then over a period of a few days darkens and then eventually sheds off, leaving the appearance of a shallower ice pick acne scar.
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How is acne severity graded?
Acne is graded according to severity and type. The most common types of acne are comedomal, pustular and cystic. Nodular cystic acne is the most severe type of acne and can lead to scarring in many cases. Each type of acne requires a different type of treatment and can be treated with medication or without.
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Why adults get cystic acne?
Acne can persist into adulthood for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is hormones such as menopause or polycystic ovarian syndrome, or more commonly acne in the 30s as a result of ceasing the combined contraceptive pill. The usual reason is genetics, or inadequate treatment of teenage acne.
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What medications are used for acne treatment in Australia?
In Australia the common treatment pathway for acne is to start with topical prescription retinoids such as tretinoin .05 or adapalene. For pustular acne an topical antibiotic such as clindamycin would ne used. Skincare for acne is also important using ingredients such as salicylic acid and niacinamide.
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Why is acne chronic?
Acne is no longer thought of as a teenage disease. In many cases it persists into adulthood and is considered a chronic disease now. That is why it is important to have a long term treatment plan for those with chronic acne and acne scarring.
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What are the best treatments for teenage pimples?
As Teenagers become hormonal, the change in hormones can lead to break outs In the skin. As a teenager it is important to not over clean or strip the skin. A gentle foaming cleanser is a good start followed by a niacinamide containing light moisturizer. It is best to go for non-comedogenic products. Diet is important in teenage acne, avoiding large amounts of skim dairy and processed sugar. Mineral make up is recommended for teenage acne, and only in small amounts. At Skindepth we treat teenage acne with skin extractions, peels and other skin treatments in combination with a take home skin care plan.
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How to treat acne without medication?
Acne can be treated with simple measures such as attention to diet and avoidance of triggers for acne. At Skindepth we commonly treat acne without medication. We employ a combination of tailored skin care with skin treatments such as hydroxy acid peels, LED light, extractions and lasers. Skin care at home is an integral part of the treatment.
Skin Conditions
Acne Dull Skin Enlarged Pores Pigmentation & Discolouration Redness Wrinkles & Volume Loss
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