Not exclusive to teenagers, acne is troubling for many young adults in their 20's and 30's. 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 products and treatments for acne. Your Skin Health Professional at The Centre, P.C. will be glad to evaluate your condition and recommend which products and treatments will work best for you.

Products

Centre Yourself. 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. 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.

Glytone products are available only through a physician. Glytone products use elevated levels of glycolic acid to provide maximum rejuvenation benefits. Store brand neutralize, or chemically alter, their products to the points where the acid is no longer effective for skin rejuvenation. Glytone products contain levels of glycolic acid that have been shown to promote collagen production. Glytone is a powerful program that is available only with your physician's guidance.

The Glytone acne home treatment program contains: exfoliating gel wash, acne treatment solution, 10% benzoyl peroxide, acne treatment gel and acne masque for 24-hour acne management.

Glytone products are formulated with a clinically proven ingredient, glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in sugar cane. Glycolic acid works by deeply penetrating the skin's surface and loosening the top layer of dull, damaged skin.

Accutane. The Centre, P.C. does not recommend the use of Accutane to treat acne.

Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup. Known as The Skin Care Makeup, the Jane Iredale line is so safe and beneficial to use that it is recommended by plastic surgeons and skin health professionals throughout the world. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it will not block pores, and it provides complete coverage following treatments for skin conditions such as acne. Jane Iredale makeup is composed to inert minerals that cannot support bacteria, and it contains no fillers.

Treatments

Blu-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy. 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 your Skin Health Professional at The Centre, P.C. Sessions are usually 15 minutes long about once or twice a week. The treatments may continue for five weeks or more.

Levulan® with Blu-U Therapy. The Levulan with Blu-U Therapy is an acne treatment that combines aminolevulonic 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 The Centre, P.C., usually once or twice per week. The treatments may go on for five to eight weeks or more depending on your treatment needs. It's very safe, it's not hot, and there is generally only mild discomfort following the treatment for just a day or two. After some weeks, the Levulan with Blu-U therapy can control your acne or clear it up for a very long period.

Nutritional Supplements

VitaMedica's Healthy Skin Formula. VitaMedica's Healthy Skin Formula is a nutritional supplement that provides internal skin care by enhancing the body's natural systems for repairing, cleansing and healing. It was designed to boost the effectiveness of the topical products currently recommended by your Skin Care Professional. The result is a comprehensive, bi-directional approach to naturally support proper skin functioning and a healthy-looking complexion.

Healthy Skin Formula addresses the various stages of acne development. It includes Vitamin A, Zinc, Selenium and Chromium - nutrients that promote skin health - as well as herbs to detoxify and cleanse the blood and skin.

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

 

Elkhart Office

RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514
FAX: 574-293-1511

Chesterton Office

Duneland Health & Wellness Institute
810 Michael Drive, Suite K
Chesterton, IN 46304
Fax: 219.926.3534

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