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Acne

Acne Vulgaris is an extremely common skin type often referred to as a skin disorder and affects the face, shoulders, upper back and chest.

The main symptoms of acne are:

• Greasy Skin
• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Papules
• Pustules
• Inflammation

Acne usually appears at puberty when the body starts producing more sex hormones. It takes time for the correct balance of hormones to be achieved. When an excessive amount of male hormones (androgens) are produced, the sebaceous glands become over-active and the skin appears very shiny. The condition of excess greasiness is called seborrhoea.

 

Acne develops when bacteria, which is present in the hair follicles breaks down the sebum and fatty acids are released, which irritate the wall of the follicle. The epidermal lining thickens, narrowing the upper end and opening of the follicle so that sebum builds up further down. When the follicle pore becomes completely enclosed with hardened skin cells, a whitehead results. When the pore becomes blocked sebum, a blackhead (comedone) is formed.

Papules develop as the follicle and sebaceous gland swell with trapped sebum. Sometimes the contents of the follicle escape into the surrounding dermis, causing inflammation and pustules.

Teenagers are not the only ones to get acne. Women in their mid 20’s and in their 30’s can suffer from it too. Acne is not caused by eating lots of chocolate and fatty foods. It is actually due to an abnormal response to normal levels of testosterone in the blood. Women with a highly stressed lifestyle have higher circulating levels of male hormones-hence the acne. Reducing stress (with exercise and a healthy diet) will help bring up oestrogen levels and decrease testosterone.

Products which help treat Acne contain Benzoyl Peroxide which helps to eliminate bacteria in the skin follicles which helps to clear blemishes.

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) can provide an effective acne scar treatment. Laser and IPL therapies work by targeting intense light onto the skin. The light is focused onto the area around the scar or blemish. The IPL or laser light then penetrates through the upper layer of the skin, effectively removing it. The treatment stimulates new skin to grow and when the treated area heals, the scar or blemish is usually much less noticeable than before. The effectiveness of Laser or IPL therapies for acne scaring and skin blemishes depends both on your skin type and extent of a person’s scars.

A Beau Visage Skin Health Consultation is fundamental if you are suffering from Acne. A Beau Visage Consultation means that you can benefit from an accurate analysis of your skin. Beau Visage will enable the practitioner to customise an appropriate and safe treatment plan, specific to your skin and particular skin concerns; this will include treatments and a home care regime.

 

Beau Visage is able to track your progress over a period of time, hence providing you with evidence that your treatment package is working for you. Beau Visage is a real education in terms of how to care for and look after your skin so that in time you skin will begin to look smoother in texture and become blemished free.