Acne and Blemishes

What Is Acne? 

In Canada, acne affects 5.6 million people or 20 percent of the country’s population. It’s a chronic skin condition that happens when hair follicles get clogged with excess sebum oil and dead skin cells. Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), a slow-growing bacteria found deep within the pores, worsens the pore blockage and the inflammation.

Typically, most people experience acne during adolescence (90 percent), although others still struggle with it during adulthood (20 to 30 percent). Anyone can get acne at one point in their life, but women are 75 percent more likely to develop acne than men. 

Common Causes of Acne 

Several contributing factors can trigger acne, including but not limited to:

• Genetics – Being born with overactive sebaceous glands or having either one or both parents who have acne increases your risk of developing it.
• Cosmetics – Use of beauty products that are not non-comedogenic can clog your pores, leading to a breakout.
• Medications – Acne is a known side effect of some drugs, such as oral corticosteroids, some contraceptive pills (progestin), and anticonvulsives.
• Hormones – Women experience worse acne breakouts while on their period, during pregnancy, or due to hormonal imbalance.
• Diet and Lifestyle – Exposure to high levels of stress, pollution, excessive sweating, consuming certain types of foods, or not getting enough sleep can also trigger an acne flareup.

Besides seeking a safe and effective acne treatment that will solve this skin issue for good, it’s also helpful to look out and eliminate the things that could be causing or worsening your acne. 

Types of Acne 

Identifying what type of acne you have is critical to determining an appropriate acne treatment solution that works for you. 

Blackheads and Whiteheads 

Otherwise called open and closed comedones, respectively, blackheads and whiteheads are examples of non-inflammatory acne. They manifest themselves as black or white coloured bumps that dot the nose, chin, or forehead. They are mild forms of acne that do not leave acne scars.

Papules 

Papules are the result when whiteheads or blackheads get worse and irritate the surrounding skin. It’s a mild type of inflammatory acne. Papules are tiny, red bumps under the skin that can be tender and swollen. 

Pustules or Pimples 

Pustules are bigger than papules. These blemishes have a circular shape with a center that is filled with white or yellow-coloured pus. They are inflammatory types of acne that are swollen and an angry pink or red at the base. 

Nodules

Nodules are a severe and deeper type of acne blemish. They are hard and painful when touched. Nodules can leave dark spots and acne scars.

Cystic Acne 

Cystic acne is characterized by large, soft, and painful red or white lumps filled with pus. They are formed deeper within the skin than nodules. They are the most extreme types of inflammatory acne, which are known to leave severe acne scarring.

How to Treat Acne 

APT Medical Aesthetics is proud to bring you the latest acne treatment solutions in the industry. When you come to our Oakville clinic for a free consultation, our experts will first get to the root causing your acne breakouts and what type of acne you are dealing with. We have several acne treatment products and services that can help resolve your acne blemishes and give you the clear complexion you’ve always wanted.

Here are some of our most successful acne treatments:

Medical-Grade Skincare 

Patients with mild forms of acne blemishes, such as blackheads and whiteheads, can see dramatic improvement following a disciplined skincare routine using medical-grade skincare products. They may also be prescribed to people with moderate to severe acne conditions as part of a holistic acne treatment plan to maintain or support the results of an ongoing chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing procedure. 

HydraFacial 

HydraFacial is a revolutionary skincare product and promising acne treatment. It’s a non-invasive procedure that features a patented Vortex technology and tip that can penetrate the skin to remove deep-seated dirt and acne-causing bacteria unclogging pores. It is also a versatile acne treatment because it enhances acne scars’ appearance and minimizes the size of enlarged pores. It is a comfortable skincare treatment with no downtime.

Forever Clear BBL 

Forever Clear BBL promises to banish your acne blemishes without the use of creams. It’s a remarkable acne treatment that uses laser light technology to address acne effectively without the use of creams and medicine. It is a virtually painless procedure that comes with little to no downtime.

What Areas Can Be Treated for Acne? 

According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, most acne cases (99 percent) occur in the facial area. However, half also struggle with acne blemishes in other parts of the body, such as the neck, back, chest, and arms. At APT, we’ve seen success using HydraFacial, Forever Clear BBL, and other acne treatments in these areas.

Results You Can Expect from Acne Treatments 

Results vary depending on the severity of your acne problem and the chosen mode of acne treatment. Generally, most of our clients notice significant improvements after their initial treatment session. You may see that their skin is no longer as inflamed as it was previously. It’s now brighter, and the pimples drying and healing up at a faster pace than usual. 

As you continue to proceed with the recommended treatment sessions, you’ll notice that there are little to no new breakouts popping up or flareups ending up in red, angry, and pus-filled pimples anymore. Over time, your acne problem will be gone for good. 

APT’s cutting-edge acne treatments—HydraFacial and Forever Clear BBL— also boost the natural collagen and elastin production in the skin, acne blemishes and acne scars are also corrected. 

How Long Do Acne Treatment Results Last? 

Ideally, your doctor will recommend anywhere between 3 to 4 treatments spaced a week apart to achieve the desired results. Most acne treatment results may last for 4 to six weeks. Follow-up treatments may be suggested to maintain clear and flawless skin, with the frequency of sessions gradually reduced as the condition progresses positively.

Book Your Free Consultation 

APT Medical Aesthetics is a leading medical spa in Oakville, offering the industry’s most advanced acne treatments. Our dedicated team of experts will be more than happy to find the best acne treatment for you. 

Book your free consultation today!