Advanced Acne Vulgaris Treatments At Nirunda Clinic
In Bangkok, numerous individuals struggle with acne vulgaris, a dermatological condition that plagues many across the globe. This common skin issue most frequently arises during puberty, a period in which hormones like estrogen stimulate oil glands in both men and women. While sebum - the natural oil our skin produces - has essential protective and lubricating properties, excessive secretion can instigate problematic breakouts. When sebum accumulates and clogs pores, it cultivates an environment ripe for bacterial growth. While these bacteria are usually harmless residents on our skin, excessive sebum enables them to proliferate, causing acne.
However, with modern technology at our fingertips - a myriad of tailored acne treatment options, from acne extraction to laser procedures, are now available depending on the severity of your acne condition.
Causes of Acne Vulgaris
Hormonal Fluctuations
One of the principal instigators of acne vulgaris is hormonal imbalance. Specifically, androgens like testosterone can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce an overabundance of sebum. These hormonal surges are particularly common during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy, which accounts for the high rates of acne during these life stages.
Genetic Predisposition
Genetics also play a significant role in the onset of acne vulgaris. If your parents or siblings have contended with acne, you are more likely to encounter similar dermatological challenges. Genetic factors can influence the size of the sebaceous glands, the skin's response to hormonal shifts, and even the body's inflammatory responses - all crucial elements in acne formation.
Diet and Lifestyle
Dietary choices, especially the intake of high glycemic index foods like sugary treats and processed goods, can exacerbate acne vulgaris. Such foods lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar, subsequently causing insulin levels to rise. Elevated insulin can contribute to increased sebum production, thereby worsening acne. Lifestyle elements, including inadequate sleep and chronic stress, can also aggravate acne through hormonal imbalances and inflammation.
Environmental Factors
Environmental elements can also contribute to acne vulgaris. Prolonged exposure to excessive humidity or pollutants can block pores, while occlusive skincare products can trap sebum and bacteria. Moreover, certain medications, such as corticosteroids and antiepileptic drugs, are known to induce acne as a side effect.
Understanding Types Of Acne
For comprehensive treatment, it is important to first understand and recognize the two main categories of acne - non-inflammatory and inflammatory.
Non-inflammatory acne, composed mainly of blackheads and whiteheads, lacks the redness and swelling commonly associated with its inflammatory counterpart. On the other hand, inflammatory acne includes conditions like papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts, which are often red, swollen, and painful.
Non-inflammatory Acne
- Blackheads (open comedones): Blackheads occur when a pore is clogged by a combination of sebum and dead skin cells. The top of the pore stays open, despite the rest of it being clogged. This results in the characteristic black color seen on the surface.
- Whiteheads (closed comedones): Whiteheads also form when a pore gets clogged by sebum and dead skin cells. But unlike with blackheads, the top of the pore also closes up. It looks like a small bump protruding from the skin. Whiteheads are more difficult to treat because the pores are already closed.
Inflammatory Acne
Pimples that are red and swollen are referred to as inflammatory acne. Although sebum and dead skin cells contribute to inflammatory acne, bacteria can also play a role in clogging up pores. Bacteria can cause an infection deep beneath the skin’s surface. This may result in painful acne spots that are hard to get rid of.
- Papules: Papules occur when the walls surrounding your pores break down from severe inflammation. This results in hard, clogged pores that are tender to the touch. The skin around these pores is usually pink.
- Pustules: Pustules can also form when the walls around your pores break down. Unlike papules, pustules are filled with pus. These bumps come out from the skin and are usually red in color. They often have yellow or white heads on top.
- Nodules: Nodules occur when clogged, swollen pores endure further irritation and grow larger. Unlike pustules and papules, nodules are deeper underneath the skin. Because nodules are so deep within the skin, you can’t typically treat them at home. Prescription medication is necessary to help clear these up.
- Cysts: Cysts can develop when pores are clogged by a combination of bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells. The clogs occur deep within the skin and are further below the surface than nodules. These large red or white bumps are often painful to the touch. Cysts are the largest form of acne, and their formation usually results from a severe infection. This type of acne is also the most likely to scar.
Acne Vulgaris Treatment in Bangkok
Anyone can get acne vulgaris, as acne is also known, but the severity depends on a variety of internal and external factors. Since acne is so common, many people are not sure when they should seek treatment at a clinic. The best answer we can give is to seek treatment when your acne is uncontrollable or causes mental distress that disrupts personal activities. If you experience extreme acne it may be time to seek professional acne extraction or laser treatment services. Bangkok residents can visit Nirunda Clinic for a variety of acne treatments provided by board-certified dermatologists, including:
- Medicine and topical cream prescribed by our dermatologist.
- Acne injections – this approach uses cortisone to make inflammatory pimples and cysts flatten out faster.
- Acne laser treatments – ISOLAZ and Lux-V lasers are considered one of the safest and most effective ways to cure acne.
- Chemical peels – this is an optional treatment that helps boost the end result of other treatments, so dermatologists usually recommend it paired with other treatments.
- Blue light therapy – this helps reduce the appearance of inflamed acne by killing the bacteria causing the irritation.
Understanding the severity of your acne is crucial, especially when it becomes unmanageable or causes emotional distress that disrupts your daily life. If you're in Bangkok and seeking advanced, state-of-the-art acne treatment, consider consulting our board-certified dermatologists at Nirunda Clinic. For those grappling with severe acne, options such as professional acne extraction or laser treatment may be particularly beneficial.
Our treatment options include:
- Prescription medications and topical creams tailored to your skin type.
- Cortisone-based acne injections designed to quickly flatten inflammatory pimples and cysts.
- State-of-the-art acne laser treatments, including ISOLAZ and Lux-V lasers, which are recognized as some of the safest and most effective methods for acne eradication.
- Chemical peels, often recommended in conjunction with other treatments to enhance overall results.
- Blue light therapy to minimize inflammation and kill the bacteria responsible for acne-related irritation.
Acne Laser Treatment
Acne laser treatment focuses laser light on the top layers of skin to break down scar tissue and provide a smoother appearance to your skin. The light also stimulates the growth of healthy skin cells to replace the scar tissue.
There are different acne laser treatments available at our clinic in Bangkok. Our specialist will be able to recommend which one is right for you.
- A collagen remodeling acne laser treatment improves the functioning capabilities of the skin by penetrating its sebaceous layer. This stimulates collagen production and helps to reduce the depth of the acne blemishes.
- Low level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is more suitable for those with inflammatory acne. The blue-light rays help destroy bacteria, while the red-light rays help heal wounds, improve skin cell function, and stimulate the growth of collagen.
Acne laser treatment doesn’t completely remove acne scars, but it can make them less visible and can also minimize any pain caused by them.
People with darker skin tones, very wrinkled skin, or active acne may not be good candidates for acne laser treatment. It is important to consult our specialists to understand the treatments available for you at our clinic.
Acne Extraction Treatment
If cystic acne becomes too painful and interferes with your daily life, our clinic in Bangkok also offers a procedure called acne extraction treatment for relief.
Acne extraction is a medical procedure that clears the pores of the comedones that have formed in the skin with the help of sterile tools. The extraction helps the acne heal faster and helps prevent new breakouts from forming. In some cases where a comedone has caused a pustule or papule to form, removing the plug reduces the size of the bump on your skin and helps reduce the skin inflammation.
Our specialists employ magnification during acne extraction to clearly visualize and thoroughly clean clogged pores. Pre-treatment solutions may be used to ease the extraction, reducing the risk of bruising. This procedure not only treats active breakouts but also serves as a preventive measure. When combined with our other treatments, it accelerates improvement in affected areas.
Preventing Acne
You can avoid bad breakouts and recurring cases of acne by looking after your skin and living a healthy lifestyle. Reducing your consumption of sugar, flour, milk, salty food, sweets, and deep-fried food can help improve your skin.
Being more careful of the creams you apply to your skin and the drugs you take can help ease acne inflammations. Avoid taking any drugs containing steroids as they can induce acne and lead to increased pore blockages. Avoid using sunscreens and moisturizers when you’re experiencing acne inflammation. Sunscreens with a high SPF factor are more likely to block your pores. The use of steroids in drugs and creams you apply to your skin can also cause acne breakouts.
Try to avoid squeezing and picking whiteheads and blackheads. Your fingers can introduce more bacteria to the affected areas. Picking blemishes also leads to atrophic scarring.
To learn more about acne prevention and the variety of acne treatments available at Nirunda Clinic in Bangkok, make an appointment with one of our skilled specialists today.
FAQs:
1. When should I see a doctor for acne treatment?
While mild forms of acne can often be managed with over-the-counter products, it's advisable to see our dermatologists if your acne is severe, persistent, or if over-the-counter treatments aren't effective. Also, consult a doctor if acne is causing emotional distress, affecting your quality of life, or leaving scars.
2. What types of acne treatments are available?
Treatment options for acne are varied and can be tailored to suit your specific condition. Over-the-counter treatments typically include creams or gels containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Prescription options may involve topical or oral antibiotics, retinoids, and hormonal therapies for certain cases. More advanced treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, and even surgical procedures like acne extraction can also be considered depending on the severity and type of acne you have.
3. What are the benefits of acne extraction?
Acne extraction is a procedure where a trained dermatologist or skin care professional manually removes blackheads and whiteheads. One of the main benefits of this method is that it can provide immediate relief from inflamed acne lesions, helping to reduce the risk of infection and promote faster healing. This procedure can also minimize the chance of scarring and pigmentation issues if done professionally.
4. How long does it take to see results after acne treatment?
The time frame for seeing results can vary widely depending on the type of treatment and the severity of your acne. Some topical treatments might show improvements within a few days, while oral medications may require weeks to months for visible changes. More advanced treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy may require multiple sessions and a longer healing period. It's essential to have realistic expectations and consult your healthcare provider for a timeline tailored to your specific condition.
5. How can I prevent acne after treatment?
Maintaining a consistent and gentle skincare routine is crucial for preventing acne recurrence. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, use non-comedogenic moisturizers, and apply sunscreen daily. Avoid harsh skincare products that can irritate the skin, and steer clear of excessive scrubbing or picking at your face. Along with skincare, lifestyle factors such as a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and stress management can also help in long-term acne prevention. For personalized advice, consult us at Nirunda Clinic to determine the best preventive measures for you.
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