The word acne comes from the word acme meaning "the highest point", which comes from the Greek akme meaning "point" or "spot" - it was originally mispelt, with an 'n' rather than an 'm' in 1835.

In most cases, acne problems starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It normally goes away on its own sometime in the early twenties. However, acne can persist into the late twenties, thirties and beyond. Some people can get acne for the first time as adults.

Acne affects young men and young women about equally, but there are some differences. Young men are more likely than young women to have more severe, longer lasting forms of acne. Despite this fact, young men are less likely than young women to visit a dermatologist or a clinical specialist for it.

In contrast, young women are more likely to have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle and acne caused by cosmetics. These kinds of acne may afflict young women well into adulthood.

Acne on women can also be due to the nature of functioning of their hormones during pregnancy, premenstrual acne breakouts, irregular menstrual cycles and use or discontinuing use of contraceptives among other problems.

Just observe pregnant women’s skin… Some women report a huge improvement while they’re pregnant. Others say skin becomes worse than ever. Most women who suffer with acne notice more outbreaks before or during their periods.

Acne and skin type

Oily skin is more prone to acne as the excess sebum provides the perfect breeding ground for the bacterial P.acnes (Propionibacterium acnes). Most acne sufferers have oily skin.

Dry skin types have a dry appearance due to extreme exposure to sun, wind, destructive soaps, poor diet, aging, inadequate hydration, intense steaming of the face, use of drying packs and masks, dry cosmetics, post certain medication etc. When the skin sebaceous glands that produce sebum oil that lubricates the skin grow inactive, the dryness of skin can result.

A combination skin type will consist of both the dry and the oily skin types. These skin types may need to be treated separately or “in parts” to take care of them appropriately.

Blackheads and whiteheads

A normal hair follicle usually expels the oil that is developed to the surface of the skin. However in the case of acne sebum gets trapped under the skin (due to build up of flattened skin cells and not enough exfoliation of them) and this creates an ideal situation for bacteria to develop. A bacterium multiples and infects the skin and the inflammatory reaction is called acne. Acne is generally categorized into inflammatory and non inflammatory acne.

In non-inflammatory acne the bacteria and oil get trapped within the skin and usually show up as small white spots (called whiteheads). Whiteheads can be so small that they are sometimes invisible to the naked eye. Blackheads are actually the same as whiteheads but without the “lid”, open whiteheads so to speak. The reason the top is black is that bacteria gets oxidised and turns dark (just like an apple you cut open).

In inflammatory acne, papules can develop for several reasons as well as a direct result of a break in the inner follicular wall. Once the blood fills the papules it’s only a matter of time before the papules develop into pustules. In either case there is an inflammation of the skin. A pustule is commonly referred to as a zit or pimple. Inflammatory acne is more common and is seen in teenagers that have started puberty. Inflammatory acne is more common than other acne varieties.

Treating acne in Melbourne

How your acne is treated may depend on how severe and persistent it is and how long a person had suffered the condition. Acne is separated into types. Type one is for example less severe than type two, three, four etc. It’s worth mentioning that majority of sufferers only develop mild acne.

There are various treatments and home remedies available for acne. Beware though - some of the most popular acne home remedies actually end up worsening the condition.

• EXFOLIATION AND MICRODERMABRAISION

  Exfoliation is a popular means of combating acne. Exfoliation not only clean the skin and keep it free from bacterial infection, it also make sure that the oil levels in the skin are at a minimum.

  CAUTION: Don’t over scrub – you’ll make it worse. 1-2 times a week is enough. Try an exfoliating cleanser instead of a scrub or a mild home peel and your skin will love you for it. Microdermabrasion combines exfoliating with extraction to get rid of the flattened skin cells, toxins and impurities. Manual Microdermabrasion treatment is combined with gentle revitalising massage incorporating lymph drainage stimulation movements. Coupled with a therapeutic balancing gel concentrate it aims to restore skin balance. The final step of the procedure is an application of highly active renewing cream to stimulate your skin renewal process.

  RECOMMENDATION: Treatment should be consistent and followed for at least six to eight weeks to ensure that they have long-term benefits. This will result in the prevention of new lesions being formed and aid in the removal of acne scars.

   

• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and PDT (Photodynamic Therapy)

  IPL Acne and IPL PDT: Some people call PDT – Acne Terminator. Acne LASER Treatment is done by applying extreme thermal or heat effect on the sebaceous glands in order to damage it. Studies prove that the both IPL and laser equipment used in the operation can actually do four treatments in one-month intervals.

  Statistics shows that 16 out of 17 patients get a 100% success on clearance of skin. Test through skin biopsy immediately afterwards the sessions revealed that the sebaceous glands showed alterations caused by the induced heat, decreasing the production of oil. Immediate proofs that acne LASER treatment is taking a positive effect!

  CAUTION: After treatment, your skin may be swollen and red, but there is nothing to stop you returning to your normal routine as soon as you feel ready.

  

   

• FACIAL PEELS

  Facial Peel works on restoring the smooth contour of your skin by speeding up skin’s cellular renewal rate. There are superficial skin peels and deep skin peels. The amount of shedding you get depends on depth of the peel. Some peels require you to prepare your skin for up to three week prior to treatment in order to get better results and less down time. New cell growth is encouraged and as a response to inflammation caused the skin’s natural building materials are stimulated.

   

• MESO ACNE

  Based on 2003 Noble Prize winning works of Dr Praunist this remarkable virtual needle mesotherapy allows us to target fat cells directly and deliver highly active natural ingredients to achieve extraordinary results. One of the most effective treatments available on the market today. Quick and easy treatments for clearing acne with the use of highly potent natural ingredients with no downtime.

The link between diet and acne

A ground-breaking study, led by Dr Neil Mann from RMIT University in Melbourne, has shown a link between what you eat and acne.

Dr Mann divided a group of teenage boys with acne into two diet groups:

• One group followed a typical Western teen diet of highly processed foods, such as white bread, sugary ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and snacks such as biscuits and chips
• The other group followed a higher protein–low GI diet containing more natural foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lean red meat, seafood and wholegrains, with processed food kept to a minimum

After 3 months the higher protein–low GI diet was found to:

• Reduce acne by more than 50 per cent
• Reduce insulin levels, which helped to control the hormonal imbalances associated with acne
• Have a positive effect on energy levels, self-esteem, confidence and overall mood

Call 9557 5755 today, to discuss your option to beat acne earlier