‘Show me someone who has not had a pimple and I will show you a liar.” Anonymous

Most people have had acne at some point in their life. As a teenager, new onset as an adult, during pregnancy, after childbirth, with a new job, in menopause, with a new medication ... Acne is SO common and it’s so hard to treat, why is that?

This is why. Acne is caused by multiple factors – any one of them can cause you to break out but combined they’re truly challenging.

So, what are the causes?

• Hormones – activate oil glands to produce excess oil

• Bacteria – Propioni bacteria love oil so the acne bacteria population grows

• Inflammation – your body takes exception to the excess bacteria and activates an inflammation response (pimples, pustules, nodules, redness)

• Disordered skin cell turnover – your skin is always replacing itself but if that process is uneven, or skin cells won’t slough off easily and the skin thickens, then pores get clogged trapping oil (blackheads and white heads) encouraging more bacteria growth and even more inflammation ensues.

When we treat acne at ArtMed we’re considering all the causes, which ones may be dominant for you and how to best address that. Treatment options include:

• Prescription Retinoid products to regulate skin cell turnover– prescription topical retinoids and oral retinoids (eg. Accutane)

• Acids – such as topical AHA,BHA or in-clinic chemical peels to reduce thickened skin and open pores

• Hormones modifiers to decrease oil production (androgen blocking topical and oral drugs, contraceptive pills)

• Anti-inflammatory agents – topical (eg. benzoyl peroxide) or oral prescription (eg. Apprilon)

• IPL – intense pulsed light therapy to kill acne bacteria (blue wavelength), reduce redness and treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (invisible wavelengths)

• Antibiotics – to reduce acne bacteria population – prescription topical or oral medications

• Lasers  and Microneedling – to address acne scarring by remodelling the skin

At ArtMed, we have over a dozen years of experience treating the most difficult acne conditions. When you book with us you will receive a comprehensive consultation and evaluation of your skin. We will formulate a custom treatment plan aimed at putting your acne into full remission. We will provide whatever prescriptions you may need. We can offer treatment plans to address scarring and persistent redness/hyperpigmentation and get you on the path towards to the skin you’ve always dreamed of having.

ArtMed – we’re your one stop shop for acne solutions.