Approximately 90% of all adolescents and 25% of all adults experience acne at some point in their lives. Acne is not caused by eating chocolate, greasy foods or bad hygiene. It is a common, chronic skin condition caused by inflammation of the oil-producing sebaceous glands. Just below the surface of the skin lie hundreds of tiny glands called sebaceous glands. Their function is to collect sebum, to keep the skin healthy. However, the tiny pathway for the sebum to escape often becomes clogged, and a bacterium called p. acnes 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 many treatments for moderate acne creams, washes, medications mild ones and very strong ones.
Blu-U
The BLU-U was FDA cleared in 2003 for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris, a condition affecting millions of adults, teenagers and children. Unlike systemic antibiotics, which produce an effect on the entire body, the acne light is specifically targeted to the acne lesions themselves.
Narrow band Blue Light causes a photodynamic effect within the pylosebaceous gland that kills P. acnes, the bacteria primarily responsible for acne vulgaris. Any skin type can be treated with no side effects, no pain or discomfort. Treatments are done twice weekly for four weeks or once a week for eight weeks. The BLU-U Light can be used alone or in combination with any treatment you are already using to control your acne.
For more information please arrange a complimentary consultation with our physician to determine the best recommendation for your particular needs.
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PDT Photodynamic Therapy
A new procedure is now available that treats moderate to severe active acne. The new procedure is called Photodynamic Acne Treatment using Levulan.
Photodynamic Acne Treatment is a process by which a photosensitizing agent (Levulan) is applied to your skin. The Levulan is then activated with a special wavelength of light, which “turns it on.” Levulan has been used extensively for the treatment of a variety of different skin conditions.
Levulan is a 20% solution of Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA). ALA is a natural substance found throughout your body, as it is a precursor for hemoglobin synthesis. You would be unable to make a red blood cell to carry oxygen without ALA in your body. Consequently, it is a “natural” product found in all humans.
Prior to Photodynamic Acne Treatment, the best available treatment option for cystic acne was Accutane. However, with Accutane there are many systemic side effects including birth defects, liver abnormalities, mood changes, and virtually all patients get dryness and night vision changes. PDT Acne treatment provides a viable alternative for all types of acne treatment.
Photodynamic Acne Treatment is done as follows: The Levulan is applied to the skin and left on for 30-60 minutes. Levulan is a clear solution and is painless. Levulan is then activated with a specific wavelength of light called a BLU-U. This takes about 8 minutes. The Levulan targets active cells. Acne sebaceous glands are active cells. These cells preferentially absorb Levulan, and these cells are targeted by the Levulan once it is activated; hence the term, Photodynamic therapy. Skin oiliness is decreased, and the appearance of pores is minimized. The entire skin texture improves following a Photodynamic Acne Treatment.
The “downside” of Photodynamic treatment (PDT) is that you will be red and have some skin peeling (and crusting if you have skin cancers) for several days after the treatment. Usually, the first 1-2 days are the worst. We advise remaining indoors the day following treatment to avoid sun exposure, as you are photosensitive for about 24 hours after PDT.
The advantages of PDT are rapid treatment of acne lesions all over the face without scarring or surgical excision. The skin appears refreshed and younger following these treatments. We advise 2-3 treatments at 2-3 weeks intervals to obtain optimal results. There are no systemic side effects. Individuals with darker skin may experience hyper pigmentation. Presently we are not doing PDT on skin types 5 6 (South Asian and Black skin types).
Naturally, you can use your topical acne lotions in between your Levulan treatments once the redness has settled down. This may take up to one week.
As a maintenance at home treatment we offer a revolutionary secret weapon against the ongoing battle against acne.... the Zeno.
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Clinically proven portable, hand-held rechargeable medical device for at-home treatment of individual acne pimples.
Zeno is an acne clearing device. It is a hand-held, portable electronic medical device that is clinically proven to make pimples disappear fast. In fact, for treating acne pimples, it's the most scientifically advanced and effective device available without a prescription. Zeno is for people with mild to moderate acne.
Clear up your acne. Eliminate your pimples with the Zeno.
Clinically proven portable, hand-held rechargeable medical device for at-home treatment of individual acne pimples.
Effective Acne Treatment
Zeno clears pimples in people with mild to moderate acne. It is a hand-held, portable electronic medical device that is clinically proven to make pimples disappear fast. Zeno is the most scientifically advanced and effective acne device available without a prescription.
The proprietary Zeno technology triggers a heat shock response in microorganisms that cause skin lesions, bringing about the self-destruction of those bacteria and allowing the skin to return to a healthy, normal state. In the case of acne, the P. acnes bacterium is the root cause of 90% of all acne pimples. Zeno™ is a simple electronic product designed to safely heat an acne lesion to a pre-set temperature range known to generate heat shock response. Heat shock response is a reaction bacteria have to heat whereby they transcript a number of genes and activate heat-shock proteins. These heat-shock proteins participate in the bacteria's death by causing the bacteria to self-destruct.
Zeno Treatment
Pimples occur when excess skin oil and flaking skin plug the opening of a hair follicle and create the ideal environment for acne bacteria to grow. Precisely controlled heat applied for a specific period of time causes the bacteria to self-destruct. When the bacteria die, the pimple goes away. Zeno applies a precisely controlled heat dose directly to the pimple through a metal pad. Learn about thermal treatment of acne pimples. Lean about acne and pimples.
Safe, painless, and effective acne treatment
Zeno can clear up a pimple in just hours. Two to three 2½-minute treatments spread over 24 hours are sufficient for most pimples. Often, only one treatment is needed. Most other medications can take days or even weeks to work.
Patients included in our clinical trials experienced little reaction to the low-level heat. Other than some temporary skin redness following a treatment cycle, no other adverse side effects were reported.
For more information please arrange a complimentary consultation with
our physician to determine the best recommendation for your particular needs.
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