Not exclusive to teenagers, acne is troubling for many young adults in their 20s, 30s and beyond. Fortunately, there are also many products and treatments that have proven effective in fighting acne.

What is acne? 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 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.

There are a number of treatments and products for acne. Your Skin Health Professional at Centre Yourself will be glad to evaluate your condition and recommend which products and treatments will work best for you.

Treatments

The Blu-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy treatment is used for moderate acne in adults, teenagers and children. Blu-U is a special blue light that can kill the acne bacteria in your skin. Treatments are simple. You sit with your face close to the light for a short time at a schedule set up by one of our licensed skin health professionals. Sessions are usually 15 minutes long about once or twice a week. The treatments may continue for five weeks or more.

The Levulan® with Blu-U Therapy is a treatment for moderate to severe acne that combines aminolevulinic acid with a very special blue light that, when used together, can kill the bacteria in your skin and decrease the function of the sebaceous glands.

Depending on your skin sensitivity, your treatments could vary throughout the entire course - some may include Levulan with the Blu-U light, others just the blue light; some only 15 minutes long, others 30 minutes, weekly or biweekly. A schedule is set up by your Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse at Centre Yourself, usually once or twice per week. The treatments may go on for five to eight weeks or more depending on your treatment needs.

Centre Yourself also offers a variety of products that can work in coordination with your acne treatments. Listed below is a brief description of each acne product.

Products

The Multi HA™ products in the Centre Yourself line contain a high-potency combination of alpha (glycolic and lactic) hydroxyacids which, when used regularly, can produce superficial exfoliating effects similar to those produced by an in-office chemical peel.

Multi HA Cleansing Foam is intended for acne-prone skin and contains 2% salicylic acid. It is formulated to prevent overdrying of the skin, while retaining the essential lipids. Multi HA Cream, in addition to its exfoliating hydroxyacids, also contains menthol and eucalyptus extract to soothe the skin, and antioxidant green tea extract. This combination polishes, protects and soothes your face while gently moisturizing. Multi HA Daily Pads may be used as an effective adjunct to acne therapy, to refine pores and smooth skin texture.

Glytone contains proven acne-fighting ingredients that keep skin clear and healthy looking. Its 2% salicylic acid exfoliates the skin's surface to help inhibit the proliferation of p. acnes bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide helps control surface oil and neutralize p. acnes bacteria on the skin. Glycolic acid helps refine and retexturize skin.

Obagi CLENZIderm® M.D. Systems are the only prescription-strength acne treatments that contain a patented, solubilized form of 5% benzoyl peroxide (BPO) to penetrate deep into the follicle and treat acne where it starts. Available in two distinct systems, for normal to oily skin or normal to dry skin, these simple, 3-step, physician-dispensed acne therapies from Obagi Medical are clinically proven to better penetrate the follicles for effective p. acnes bacteria reduction and rapid lesion reduction.

Blemerase TouchStick reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne lesions with .5% Salicylic Acid, Acetylsalicylic Acid, and Tea Tree Oil. Concealer helps dry and conceal with 5% sulfur and 2% resorcinol. Apply to affected areas 1-3 times daily, or as directed.

Click here to schedule your consultation with one of our Skin Health Professionals. Centre Yourself offers the latest products and treatments for acne to patients in Michiana, including Elkhart and South Bend, Northwest Indiana, and Southern Michigan.

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