It?s the start of another school year. And while many teenagers look forward to reconnecting with their friends and engaging in new social activities, others dread the thought of literally ?showing their face? at school again.
For these adolescents, the physical ? and often emotional scars ? of acne can have a very traumatic effect on self-image during a very formative time of their lives. Coupled with the stresses of school, peer pressure and relationships, teens with severe acne may experience social withdrawal, poor self-esteem, embarrassment, depression, and even anger, which can lead to academic and emotional problems.
Acne is fairly common, with eight of every ten teens experiencing some form of breakout. Acne develops when the skin?s hair follicles (pores) become clogged with sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells. Sebum is a substance produced by the skin?s sebaceous, or oil, glands.
As teens enter puberty, at about age 11 to 14, higher levels of hormones cause the sebaceous glands to grow and produce more oil. When this excess sebum becomes trapped in the gland, a bacterium called p.acnes grows inside. In time, this results in inflammation, redness, swelling and pain ? known by teens as the dreaded pimple.
Conventionally, acne has been treated with topical creams and/or oral antibiotics. While these treatments are usually effective for sufferers of mild to moderate acne, recurrences are common. Resistance to antibiotics is a concern. Additionally, recent studies raise concern about long term use of oral antibiotics. Stronger oral medications, such as Accutane?, often help more severe cases but can cause significant negative side effects.
So what?s the alternative for acne-troubled teens? Fortunately, there?s a new light at the end of the tunnel. A special blue light, known as a BLU-U? light, actually kills the acne-causing p.acnes bacteria at its source, providing faster, more dramatic results.
The BLU-U? light, which has been hailed as a ?high-tech zit zapper,? is FDA-approved photodynamic light (PDL) treatment for use on mild to moderate acne. This treatment requires twice a week treatments for several weeks. There is no down time and treatments take only 15 minutes. For sufferers of moderate to severe acne, Blu-U is used in conjunction with Levulan?, a topical photo-reactive medication that is painted on the patient?s skin. When activated by the blue light, the Levulan? kills bacteria, shrinks oil glands and unclogs pores. Levulan? is not yet FDA approved for acne, but is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States.
Levulan? therapy typically requires two or three treatments to produce results and may require more treatments for severe acne. After each treatment, the skin will have the look and feel of mild sunburn for a few days. The acne may flare up before improving, but most patients are delighted with the results. Recent studies indicate that patients with mild to moderate acne observed up to 100% clearing after an average of 2.9 treatments. Patients with severe acne saw a 50-60% reduction in lesions after four treatments of PDL therapy each spaced two weeks apart.
Acne need not be a painful part of adolescence. Advanced medical treatments like BLU-U? and Levulan? can help teens face their world with clearer skin ? and a brighter outlook.
Donald J. Sudy, M.D. is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician who specializes in laser medicine and facial aesthetics at ReGenesis Medical Spa & Wellness Center, 4423 Sharon Road, in Charlotte. For more information on BLU-U?, Levulan? or other cosmetic and wellness treatments, call ReGenesis Medical Spa & Wellness Center at 704-362-2232 or visit www.regenesismedicalspa.com | |
