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Archive for Acne

Acne, Demistyfied

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Copyright 2011. Bay Harbour Med Spa. All rights reserved.

Acne does not discriminate. It plagues teens and adults alike, no matter the geographic region or socioeconomic status. In the 1950s, acne was treated as a local infection using veterinarian drugs like tetracycline, which resulted in suppressed immune systems and gray teeth. Over the years, it was believed that alcohol based products could fight acne. The result, irritated, flaking and sometimes painful skin! The fact is that little was known about acne years ago. Aside from the above, chocolate was labeled as the devil. This is a misconception.

Let’s discuss the biological factors associated with acne: the hypothalamus gland relays a message to the pituitary gland, which in turn relays the message to the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands set off the testosterone (the male hormone that every female has little of, just like males have very little estrogen, the female hormone) hormone, which in turn directs the sebaceous oil gland in the skin to pump out more oil.  Normally this type of biological communication should only result in oily skin, but most acne prone people (teens and adults alike) end up with acne, because their pores become so congested as a result of the oil from the sebaceous glands not being evenly distributed.

The first thing that people tend to do is to squeeze what we refer to as a white heads (those not encapsulated become black because their exposed to the sun). Why shouldn’t you squeeze what most refer to as pimples? For a simple reason, because once squeezed and the fat plug pressed out, inflammation occurs along with infection in the form of P.acnes bacteria- which of course can spread all over the face.

Depending on the grade of acne you have, you have several  treatment options to consider, such as:

Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this post, ask any question you have relating to acne, we’ll answer just as soon as we can.

Thanks for reading our post,

Bay Harbour Med Spa

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Teen Acne vs. Adult Acne

Copyright 2011. Laser Hair Removal Miami, LLC./Bay Harbour Med Spa. All rights reserved.

Acne is a problem for teens and adults alike. It is not exclusive to teens going through puberty. As a matter of fact, acne amongst adults is a growing trend- more than half of women with acne did not experience breakouts or blemishes during their teens.  The onset of adult acne can occur as a result of pregnancy (usually post) or even during menopause, due to an imbalance in estrogen (the female hormone) levels.

Teen acne is associated more often with extremely oily skin. Adult acneoccurs in those with combination skin type.  Skin breakouts in teens basically present themselves much in the same way in adults.

What exactly is combination skin?

Combination skin type have zones of oil and dry skin. Usually  characterized by T zone (forehead, nose and chin), this zone is usually oily, while the rest of the face is dry. Oily skin is where some type of acne typically forms.

How do I know if I may have acne?

Usually, acne is triggered by some kin d of internal factor, such as stress or hormonal imbalances. Symptoms are usually the same across the board- it manifest itself as pimples and/or blackheads on the surface of the skin. However, the severity levels vary, acne can be very minor to very severe, in severe cases, oozing from the pus and infections may occur. If this is
something you’re experiencing, you should see a dermatologist IMMEDIATELY!

severe teen acne

Severe Teen Acne

How does acne form?

In short, acne is produced as a result of the body’s over abundance of oils and sebaceous fluids which become trapped beneath the surface due to cuticle build up or debris. When this occurs, unnatural levels of bacteria may begin to form which may result in infections.

what a blackhead looks like

Blackhead Diagram

Severe acne can cause permanent scarring that can be bothersome, to say the least, and for many , quite embarrassing. The good news, that for most levels of acne, there are treatments which do not require harsh antibiotics or acne medicine.

Adult Acne

Acne In Adults

At Bay Harbour Med Spa we have formulated two specialized acne treatments, (1) our Signature Crystal Microdermabrasion treatment, and (2) our Deluxe Oxygen Infused Nutrient and Dermabrasion treatment. We’ve written many articles on acne treatments, please read through our blog for more on acne treatments and what you should look for in a med spa when seeking acne facials. If you live in the Greater Miami area, visit our website for more on acne treatments and how Bay Harbour Med Spa can help you. Bay Harbour Med Spa is located between Miami, Miami Beach and Sunny Isles.

Acne Before and After

Our Adult Acne Client: Before and After.Copyright 2011. Bay Harbour Med Spa. Duplication Strictly Prohibited.

Steroids and Acne by Laser Hair Removal Miami

Example of folliculitis

Copyright 2011. Laser Hair Removal Miami LLC. All rights reserved.

Over the past years, we’ve had quite a bit of bodybuilders seek laser hair removal treatments at our Miami med spa. we noticed a trend. We noticed that  our clients who openly admitted to using steroids all experienced acne and some even scarring. Some of the scarring is caused by folliculitis- and infectious condition of the hair follicle.

Superficial folliculitis appears as small, round pustules at the hair openings. Deep folliculitis usually appears as red swelling and pus formation. Chocolate and fried foods are not the only causes of acne, drugs appear to induce acne as well.

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Teen Acne and How To Treat Your Skin

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If you’d like to read an informative article on teen acne, please click HERE.

Acne and Women

For more on acne treatments available in Miami or Miami Beach, or to read information on acne affecting women, please click HERE.

Skin Care Advice For Teens- Part I

Bay Harbour Med Spa

Copyright 2010 Teen Facials Miami. All rights reserved.

For the past three decades, Bay Harbour Med Spa has been treating teens suffering from acne and other skin care issues in Miami, Fl. During this time we’ve amassed a large amount of data pertaining to teen skin care. The number one complaint amongst teens is acne. Before we go over skin care advice, it would serve our readers best to understand a little more about acne.

So, what is acne, and who gets acne?

85% of teenagers to young adults suffer to some degree from acne. Acne can appear as blackheads or pimples and in some severe cases can cause acne scarring. Of the 85% of teens suffering from acne, approximately 50% outgrow acne in their twenties. It’s important to note that acne does not discriminate, acne plagues both young men and women. However, young men tend to suffer more from acne because they have larger levels of androgens ( hormones that control the development of the sexual organs).  Acne in males tends to subside in their twenties while their female counterparts may suffer till their mid-thirties to forties.

Acne is a result of the pores in the skin becoming clogged.  Hormones cause the oil glands to produce more oil (sebum) and if the pores are blocked, build up may occur manifesting itself as acne. The areas mostly affected by acne are the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back. Heredity may play a role in teens developing acne.

Tips for managing acne

  • When purchasing acne skin products, look for products that are hypoallergenic (low risk of causing acne) and low in oil and alcohol
  • Do not use harsh scrubs, instead use mild cleansers
  • Gently cleanse (wash) your chest, neck and face in the morning and before bed time
  • Under no circumstances should you squeeze your pimples, if you do, you may develop permanent acne scarring
  • Consider getting routine acne facials at least every six weeks

This concludes Part I of our ‘ Skin Care Advice For Teens’ article, please come back and visit our blog for Part II.

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The Tell All About Acne………..

Acne Facials: Miami

 

Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Bay Harbour Med Spa- Miami’s leading med spas in researching, treating and providing acne facials has compiled some information which we hope will be useful for you.
 
What is Acne?
Acne is an inflammatory, papulopustular skin eruption stemming from the sebaceous ( oil) glands on the face, neck, shoulders, and upper back. The etiology of acne is unknown. However, the simplest explanation is that the bacterial breakdown of sebum into fatty acids, wax esters and triglycerides (fats). Breakouts occur due to millions of bacteria harboring in as many as 5,000 sebaceous glands per square inch of facial skin.
Acne usually begins in adolescence and most of the time subsides in early adulthood. Acne is more severe in boys than girls. However, in males acne usually subsides by the age of 25 whereas in women many battle acne through their forties.

Acne presents itself by either blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules or cysts. The severity of acne is directly correlated to the sebum secretion rate. Human sebum from isolated sebaceous glands consists mainly of wax esters ( lipids), triglycerides and even trace amounts of cholesterol. These fatty liquids develop into inflammatory acne lesions which present themselves as blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules or in sever cases cysts.

What causes acne scarring?

Inflammation is a result of infection caused by a bacterium called Propionobacterium acnes ( P-acne) that live on the surface of the skin and flourish within the blocked follicle. The result is the redness and swelling of the lesion. In chronic and more severe cases, the inflammation within a follicle can tear, causing damage to the surrounding skin triggering inflammatory response, resulting in potential deep scarring if left untreated.

What is a pimple?

Pimples present as a pus like lesion that is red and may be swollen. Pimples are formed by the cellular breakdown of the pores which allows bacteria to develop and cause the breakout.

What is a whitehead?

A white like lesion filled with bacteria which is caused by clogged pores due to sebum production.

What is a blackhead?

Presents with a dark like substance. Basically, it is bacteria that’s when exposed to air oxidizes.What is a lesion?
A nodule like large, solid and often painful pus filled cyst that is trapped beneath the skin.

Do over the counter acne products work in fighting acne?

Most consumers go to their local drug store to look for over the counter products that are supposed to treat acne. The problem with these products is that they are mass produced and often they contain too little or too much of ingredients such as Benzoyl peroxide which either dries out the skin too much or does not yield any results.Bay Harbour Med Spa offers 3 systems of Anti-Acne Fighting Products that will eradicate breakouts. Our products are never tested on animals. Furthermore, because we don’t mass produce products we have developed acne fighting products specifically made for you as an individual.

How do I treat severe acne?

In cases of individuals with severe acne you may need to go on medications prescribed by dermatologists.
Popular medications such as Accutane may be prescribed to you. Accutane is usually a 6 month therapeutic treatment and we suggest that you look up the side effects as they can be severe.

What about men with acne and facial hair?

When shaving men should do so carefully as to avoid nicking their breakouts.

Is it advisable to squeeze pimples?
No. Squeezing the pimples may cause infection because of the dirt on your hands.

How is nodular or cystic acne treated ( more severe acne)?
This type of acne may require the treatment by a dermatologist who may prescribe medication to you. In most cases Accutane which is taken orally but also comes with some side effects.

These side effects may be: depression, loss of appetite, delayed cognition, dryness, itching, muscle aches and liver dysfunction. YOU MUST GO IN TO HAVE BLOOD WORK DONE to test the liver function if your doctor prescribes Accutane to you.Retin-A cream and anti-biotics may be prescribed as well.

What can I do to prevent or treat acne scarring?

Early treatment is the best way to prevent acne scars. If you have already developed acne scarring you will probably need to undergo medical skin treatments such as microdermabrasion ( a process by which your skin in abraded), or laser treatments which are very aggressive so do your research before you opt for laser rejuvenation treatments.

What Is Acne?

Bay Harbour Med Spa has been offering authentic European cleansing acne facials in Miami and Europe for more than three decades. We have put together an educational video to simplify and accurately explain what acne is.

More informative acne blogs to be added in the near future.

Teen Acne…………..

Teen Acne

To a teenager, acne vulgaris is single handedly the worst problem to affect them- because, it is not something they can hide. It’s quite conspicuous and causes embarrassment on many levels.  85% of Americans between the ages of 15-25 are affected by acne.  Most patients require minimal treatments, however, in some, persistent acne can progress to significant scarring on the face, chest, shoulders and for many on the back.

Bay Harbour Med Spa offers a multitude of comprehensive and effective acne treatments for teens to combat their acne. Apart from antibiotics and topical skin creams (should be used as a last resort) acne cleansing facials or a series of Crystal Microdermabrasion TM treatments have shown to be particularly effective. Bay Harbour Med Spa has amassed data and photos pertaining to acne and the progression of effective treatments over the years.

Bay Harbour Med Spa’s Clarifying Acne Facials and Crystal Microdermabrasion TM treatments are offered to teens of all skin colors in Miami/Miami Beach, Florida.

                            

   
     
 

Q.  How does Crystal Microdermabrasion work?

Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing treatment utilizing a medical grade machine made of a compressor and pump that utilize crystals with suction to peel the top most layer of the skin.  This mechanical deep peel/abrasion stimulates collagen production.

Q.  Which parts of the body can Crystal Microdermabrasion TM treat?

Face, neck, chest, back, feet and hands.

Q.  Is Crystal Microdermabrasion TM appropriate for teens?

Crystal Microdermabrasion TM is appropriate for teens (male or female); it is recommended that teens under the age of 14 not undergo Crystal Microdermabrasion TM treatments.

Q. What is Crystal Microdermabrasion TM most effective in treating?

Most teen patients who have undergone Crystal Microdermabrasion TM treatments report a reduction of  enlarged pores, acne break-outs and acne scars.

Acne Causes & What To Avoid

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

For years, Bay Harbour Med Spa has been treating teens, men and women with medical grade acne treatments in South Florida. We’ve amassed data with respect to what we believe are some primary causes of acne. Here’s a list, read through it, if one or more pertains to you than you should consider acne cleansing treatments and a healthy change in diet.

Before we commence any treatment, we have prospective new patients go through a questionnaire, here are the ones that pertain to acne:

  • Do you crave sugar, caffeine, dairy, or bread?
  • Have you been on birth control pills for more than two years?
  • Did your parents have acne?
  • Do you play sports?
  • How often do you wash your face?
  • What products do you use?
  • What makeup do you use?
  • Do you color your hair? How often?
  • Are you lactos intolerant?
  • Is your menstrual cycle regular?
  • Have you ever been prescribed tetracycline/antibiotics for acne for one month or longer?

The above questions indicate a history of acne, a hereditary connection, and perhaps the most pervasive problem in today’s society hormonal imbalances. With the answers to these questions we can devise a plan for our new patients. Sometimes, it requires a recommendation to a physician which specializes in conducting tests that may take up to a month for the results to come back.

Our facials are catered to your specific skin problem in the following way ( by the way, if you don’t live in Miami, please make sure the med spa you visit offers similar steps):

Looking at the above information, we include a calming and beneficial acne pressure point massage under steam, after we cleanse and exfoliate the skin. Our products are all natural, derived from plants, vegetables or fruits with the purpose of killing bacteria and soothing inflammation. We recommend that female patients should not apply foundation for the rest of the day- furthermore, you should avoid using the same sponges when applying makeup on, toss the old one and use a new one.

We recommend proper home care, but we also educate our patients on what types of food they should stay away from, such as:

  • Alcohol
  • Cigarettes
  • Caffeine
  • Dairy products
  • Fried foods
  • Spicy foods
  • White bread
  • White pasta
  • Hydrogenated fat
  • SODAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Animal products containing steroids
  • Processed foods
  • Sugar, any type, should be used extremely moderately

Bay Harbour Med Spa, also recommends the following:

  • Shampoo the hair frequently, keep it off the face
  • Wash the face twice a day
  • Avoid touching or rubbing the face
  • Remove makeup at night, never go to bed with makeup on
  • Wash hats, caps often
  • Change the bed linens daily to avoid recontamination
  • Wipe phones with alcohol wipes whenever possible

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