If you’re struggling with acne breakouts and have tried almost every home remedy recommended with nothing to show for it, why not try clinically-proven acne treatments instead?
Here at Luminare, we offer a wide range of acne treatments, including prescription medication, laser treatments, and acne peels.
Read on to know more about them.
What Causes Acne Breakouts?
Acne breakouts can be categorized into two types: inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. Non-inflammatory acne occurs when your hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. If the clogged pores are closed, they appear as white heads. Conversely, the open clogged pores appear as blackheads.
On the other hand, inflammatory acne is when the pores get infected with bacteria, resulting in the formation of raised red bumps often filled with pus. Inflammatory acne can be painful to touch and requires proper treatment.
However, some factors can further increase the risk of acne breakouts, including stress, hormonal imbalances, and unhealthy diets.
Fortunately, there are 3 acne treatments available to address the different types of acne:
1. OTC And Prescription Medications
OTC acne treatments, such as topical lotions, can take months to treat acne and produce a desirable effect. They typically contain mild concentrations of salicylic acid, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. These compounds can help clear up the clogged pores and reduce the chances of acne breakouts.
On the other hand, prescription anti-acne medications are more potent and can treat your active acne relatively quicker than OTC drugs. Prescription acne treatments include:
- Retinoid like drugs – Creams, gels or lotions containing retinoic acid or tretinoin are often prescribed to address acne. They work by unclogging the pores and helping to prevent them from getting clogged further.
- Antibiotics – Antibiotics, such as tetracyclines and macrolides, are considered the first line of defense for moderate to severe acne problems. Your treatment provider might recommend a short course of antibiotics along with some topical product (such as benzoyl peroxide) to reduce the chances of antibiotic resistance.
- Hormonal drugs – Oral contraceptives that contain both progestin and estrogen are also FDA-approved to treat acne breakouts.
- Azelaic and salicylic acid – Prescription-strength azelaic acid (20%) gels or creams are recommended for use twice daily to treat acne problems. Similarly, more potent formulations of salicylic acid are prescribed to treat active acne, as well as to prevent future breakouts.
2. Laser Treatment For Acne
Advanced laser technologies provide an effective and non-invasive solution for acne problems. It can address moderate to severe acne, as well as to reduce acne inflammation by killing off the acne-causing bacteria and mitigating the excess production of oil from the sebaceous glands.
Laser acne treatments can also be combined with other acne treatments to speed up optimal results that usually take longer to emerge.
3. Chemical Peels For Acne
A chemical peel includes the application of a chemical solution on the skin to exfoliate the top layer, thus unclogging the pores and reducing the risk of acne breakouts.
Based on the extent of exfoliation achieved by using mild and concentrated chemical compounds, chemical peels are divided into three types: Superficial, Medium, and Deep peels.
Some commonly used compounds are lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, TCA and retinoic acid.
The right acne treatment depends on certain factors like the severity of acne, your skin type, and your aesthetic goals. Therefore, it’s best to consult highly-skilled and experienced providers at Luminare Aesthetics and Wellness, so they can develop a customized acne treatment plan best suited for your needs and requirements- whether you’re in Kansas City, Blue Springs, or Northland.
Book a consultation now!
