Acne treatments in Kelowna

Acne is a skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red lesions to form on the face and body. These growths are commonly called pimples or "zits."

What Are the Symptoms of Acne?

Acne appears primarily on the face and shoulders but can also appear on upper body, arms, legs, and buttocks.

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Crusting of the skinCysts - a closed pocket filled with air, fluid, or puss
• Redness
• Scarring

What Are the Causes?

Acne is the result of excessive oil production in the skin. Acne is not the result of diet or hygiene, rather it is usually related to genetics. Every pore in the body contains a hair and oil gland. When glands produce too much oil, the excess oil attracts fragments of dirt, debris, and bacteria leading to infection or a blockage in the pore. When a plug has formed in a pore the top or head of the plug may be white (whitehead) or dark (blackhead). If the plug ruptures, the infectious contents can spread causing inflammatory reactions in other areas of the skin. The deeper the infection is in the skin, the more firm and cyst like the plug will become.

Additional causes:

Hormonal changes related to menstruation, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stressGreasy or oily cosmetic and hair productsHigh levels of humidity and sweating

What Are the Treatments?

Lifestyle/ Non-Medical Treatments:

Clean skin gently with mild nondrying soaps (such as Dove, Neutrogena, or Basics) to remove dirt and cosmetic buildup. Shampoo hair daily, making sure to style hair in a way that minimizes hair-face contact. Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the infected areas. Try to minimize the frequency of face touching.  Apply "noncomedogenic" cosmetics and lotions in contrast to oily products.

Office Treatments:

Chemical Peels

Erbium Laser

Fractional CO2 Laser

Microdermabrasion

Photodynamic Therapy

Pulsed Dye Laser