Nearly everyone suffers from a pimple outbreak at some point in life.

For many of us, this is just a part of life – whether puberty, hormones, stress or diet – and the outbreaks soon disappear.

What causes acne?

Acne starts when greasy secretions from the skin’s sebaceous glands (oil glands) plug the tiny openings for hair follicles (pores).

If the openings are large, the plugs form blackheads: small, flat spots with dark centers. If the openings stay small, the plugs become whiteheads: small, flesh-colored bumps.

Both types of plugged pores can develop into swollen, tender inflammations or pimples, or deeper lumps or nodules. In more severe cases of acne (cystic acne), the swellings below the skin’s surface can become inflamed and sometimes infected.

Who can get acne?

Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s.

But although acne remains largely a curse of adolescence, about 20% of all cases occur in adults.

It can occur in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases. Women are more likely than men to have mild to moderate acne into their 30s and beyond, particularly women who are experiencing hormonal changes.

Acne scarring

Acne scars are essentially inflamed blemishes caused by acne break-outs. While most shallow blemishes heal quickly, some cases produce long-term effects. When a deep break develops in the wall of a pore, infected material can spread to nearby tissue. When your body’s natural mechanisms attempt to repair this damage, the result can often be an unsightly blemish and a raised scar. They can be an unpleasant reminder of acne long after the outbreaks have cleared up.

Treatments for acne

We offer the following treatments for acne:

• Laser acne treatment
• Micro-needling
• Chemical Peels
• Micro-dermabrasion

Laser acne treatment is effective for reducing the common signs of acne including acne lesions, blackheads, open pores and oily skin.

The treatment uses long wavelength laser to heat and destroy the bacteria that causes acne, without damaging the surrounding tissue. The heat generated during the procedure also helps to decrease the inflammatory response and regulate oil production. There is dramatic improvement in acne scars, skin tone and texture with little to no downtime.