|
Blue light
(BLU-U) |
| Description: |
It works by killing the P. acnes
bacteria that cause breakouts. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
You sit in front of a blue
screen, which emits wavelengths of light that produce free radicals,
which kill the bacteria that causes acne under your skin. The treatment
is non invasive, many dermatologists and doctors will
recommend two 150 min sessions a week for four weeks. It use fluorescent
tubes as light source. |
| Recovery:
|
Redness for a day or two. |
| Complications:
|
No side effects. |
| Cost: |
$100 and up/session. |
|
Smoothbeam Laser |
| Description: |
This Diode laser is used it treat acne scars
and can decrease pore and oil gland size. It emits light wavelengths
(Diode - 1450 nm)
that pierce the skin and work on the overactive sebaceous glands
responsible for acne. Maximum Fluence: 8-25 J/cm2. |
 |
| How it's done: |
First, a topical anesthetic is applied
to the skin. Then, the laser is passed through the upper layer of skin,
targeting the sebaceous glands, which cause oily skin. The laser heats
the gland and slows the production of sebum. Improvement is noticeable two weeks after treatment and your skin may
continue to improve over the next six months. Four treatments,
at least a month apart, are recommended. |
| Recovery:
|
Redness and swelling immediately after
the procedure. You cannot tan for two weeks after the procedure, and
exercise is not recommended for 24 hours post treatment. |
| Complications: |
You may experience a flare up of acne
three to four weeks post treatment. |
| Cost: |
$1000 and up/treatment.
|
|
LumiFecial - Soli Tone |
| Description: |
The LumiFecial target common skin
problems, such as acne, redness and uneven pigmentations. Uses LED
technology. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
Doing treatment , a wrap-around facial
panel is used. Specific LED Light energy with wavelength of 640 nm (blue
light) is applied for 30 minutes. |
| Recovery:
|
There are no hazards or complications
associated with the light LED treatment. |
| Complications:
|
None, but sunscreen is recommended if
will be exposed to san soon after treatment. |
| Cost: |
$100 and up per treatment. |
|
Levulan Photo-Dynamic Therapy (PDT) |
| Description: |
Levulan is aminolevulinic acid, a
substance that occurs naturally in the body, and if used before Blue
light, LED or IPL than is called PDT or Photo Dynamic Therapy to treat acne.
|
 |
| How it's done:
|
The substance is applied and absorbed
into the sin and converted into potent photosensitizer, When used with
Blue Light, the substance is activated and sebaceous glands are
shrunken, reducing acne, Levulan must sit on the skin for 30 min to one
hour before the Blue light treatment, which takes 16 min or IPL which
takes a bit longer, Tow to four treatment of Levulan with blue light,
LED or
IPL are needed to significantly clear moderate to sever acne. Acne may
stay in remission for six months to a year. |
| Recovery:
|
Mild stinging or a running sensation can
over during and after the treatment. You must stay out of the sun for 48
hours after, and wear SPF 30 at all times. You may be red for several
hours or days, with swelling around the eyes. |
| Complications:
|
Blisters or scabbing may occur if you
go into the sin after the treatment, if you have a history of cold sores
a prescription of Valtrex is required. |
| Cost: |
Blue light, LED and IPL with Levulan: $459
and up/treatment. |
|
OmniLux |
| Description: |
Omnilux blue™ is similar to other blue
light therapy systems; however, the system uses LEDs (light emitting
diodes) instead of fluorescent tubes or bulbs. Omnilux blue™ can be used
with Omnilux revive™, which emits red light, for a combination of blue
light and red light therapy. It is a LED technology. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
During treatment, acne-causing bacteria
are destroyed by the blue light, while the red light reduces
inflammation and redness caused by acne lesions. Both systems are used
alternately during treatment. |
| Recovery:
|
No downtime. |
| Complications:
|
None. |
| Cost: |
$90 to $110 per treatment |
|
ClearLight |
| Description: |
The ClearLight™ Phototherapy system by Lumenis® was
approved by the FDA in 2002 for use on moderate acne. The ClearLight
system uses a (bulb) high-intensity blue-violet light that activates the
bacteria fighting militia, called porphyrins, in your own body. The
porphyrins start a chemical reaction that produces peroxide which
destroys the P. acnes bacteria. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
It uses a high-intensity, narrow-band blue light to
clear skin of acne by destroying bacteria. ClearLight™ may also be used
for photodynamic acne therapy by applying Levulan® solution for several
minutes before treatment with the blue light. |
| Recovery:
|
No downtime. |
| Complications:
|
None. |
| Cost: |
Around $100 per treatment and series is
completed in four (4) weeks, with treatments lasting approximately 15
minutes each. |
|
Aesthera PPx / Isolaz |
| Description: |
Its combine vacuum suction and
broadband light (IPL) to simultaneously deep cleanse and purify pores. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
The vacuum action brings the sebaceous
glands closer to the surface, enabling them to be cleaned and giving the
skin a rejuvenated appearance. |
| Recovery:
|
No downtime. |
| Complications:
|
Rear |
| Cost: |
generally a course of 4 - 6 treatments
is recommended to obtain optimum results. |
|
Zeno |
| Description: |
Battery
(Rechargeable)
operated device. That treats cystic acne with a low heat
up to 118
degrees F (48 Celsius). Very slow since it take around 2.5 minute per
zap. It can't be used on whiteheads or blackheads Acne. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
Placed the tip
on Acne and pressed the button. |
| Recovery:
|
No downtime. |
| Complications:
|
It can left red
marks on the skin and in some cases it can
made acne worse. |
| Cost: |
$180- $220 for
device, and you
have to replace tips at $25 each, it can be costly |
|
ThermaClear |
| Description: |
Similar unit as
Zeno. It is battery (2 AA) operated device works by producing a short,
controlled pulse of highly concentrated heat that works on the skin and
eliminates the P. Acne bacteria. FDA cleared. It should be used on acne
before it actually is a zit. It can't be used on
whiteheads or
blackheads Acne. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
Placed the blue
tip on Acne and pressed the Pulse button. |
| Recovery:
|
None. |
| Complications:
|
Potential skin
burns since it heats up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 Celsius). |
| Cost: |
$150 plus
replaceable tips |
|
Accutane - (Isotretinoin) |
| Description: |
Accutane exact mechanism of action is unknown. It is
used normally only after other acne treatments fail to produce results.
Treatment of acne begins with topical medications (adapalene, benzoyl
peroxide and others), followed by oral antibiotics and finally Accutane
therapy. This is because other treatments, while less effective than
Accutane, are associated with fewer adverse effects. |
|
| How it's done:
|
Oral medication by prescription only. |
| Recovery:
|
No down time. |
| Complications:
|
It can't be taken doing pregnancy. Accutane is a
teratogen and is highly likely to cause birth defects if taken during
pregnancy. Few studies have suggested a possible link between Accutane
and clinical depression. Even though that no conclusive evidence has
been produced, the argument that Accutane caused depression and suicide
has won a few lawsuits, and that is one of the reason for the strict
control of the drug in North America. |
| Cost: |
$300 a month, with two pill-a-day regiment , plus the regular blood
tests that have to be conducted doing Accutane therapy. |
|
Microdermabrasion |
| Description: |
Celluline Clinic use Microdermabrasion
treatment for acne in two main case: To 1) prevent - heal existing mild
acne and to 2) minimize Acne scars (not deep acne scars)
1) prevent - heal existing mild acne
Microdermabrasion is used first to clean
the skin and peel out the dead cells' layer. In doing that it clears out
the blocked pores. The Microdermabrasion treatment is similar
to gently vacuuming your skin. The Microdermabrasion treatment works in
two ways:
1. It heals already existing acne by cleaning the pores;
2. Then by eliminating the dead skin cells' layer, it prevents pimples
from appearing. Pimples are most often caused by dead skin cells that
clog the skin's pores. When you eliminate the dead skin cells the chance
of having pimples is greatly decreased.
2) minimize Acne scars
Microdermabrasion remove the layer of death skin cells that comes off
with very fine abrasion (about 10-15 microns) . Microderm is not
effective for deep scars, but does works effectively on the less severe
acne scars. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
The diamond wand or crystals used in
microdermabrasion abrade the skin, while the vacuum sucks up any dead
cells and dirt that clog your pores. When used on acne,
microdermabrasion needs stronger suction to unclog all of the pores,
because the sandblasting cannot get in that deep on its own. |
| Recovery:
|
No down time. Client can return to
normal routine same day, that why microdermabrasion is called the lunch
time procedure. |
| Complications:
|
Anyone with extremely sensitive skin
may have reactions that may cause some discoloration or redness, but in
general there is no serious side affects.
If your acne is moderate to severe then Microdermabrasion is not
advisable because it can do more harm than good. |
| Cost: |
Around $100. |
|
Chemical Peels |
| Description: |
A chemical peel
is a procedure that uses a chemical solution to peel away wrinkled,
blemished, unevenly pigmented, or sun damaged facial skin. The chemical
peel procedure is non-invasive and poses little risk. |
 |
| How it's done:
|
A chemical peel solution may be applied
to your entire face or just to certain regions. Estheticians will apply
the solution using a sponge, a cotton pad or sometimes, for smaller
areas, a cotton swab or brush. |
| Recovery:
|
Minimal to no downtime |
| Complications:
|
Rear |
| Cost: |
Around $100 per treatment, and 5
chemical peel treatments over a 5 month period are usually recommended. |
