Acne
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Contact Details:
Logan Skin Clinic
Unit 2/13-21 Mayes Avenue
(PO Box 284)
Logan Central QLD 4114
Ph: (07) 3808 8444
Fx: (07) 3808 9288
E/Mail:
peter.elliott@loganskin.com.au
johng@loganskin.com.au
admin@loganskin.com.au
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
8.30am - 7.00pm
Acne Vulgaris
Omnilux Blue Light Treatment
Before and After Pictures
Acne Vulgaris
Nothing can be more distressing than this common skin disease that affects mostly teenagers but can occur in all age groups. At the Logan Skin Clinic Dr Elliott has made a detailed study of Acne, including some recent advances and treatments just launched in the United States.
Besides merely treating Acne, both our medical and nursing staff take considerable time explaining why Acne is occurring, why a particular treatment has been prescribed, it’s possible side-effects, how to most effectively use this treatment, and most importantly, debunking some of the many myths surrounding Acne.
We do not consider Acne to be a “trivial disease” and we tend to manage it aggressively before disfigurement and scarring occur.
What Causes Acne?
A lot of things, but let's keep it simple.
In the skin there's a small gland that produces an oil (called sebum) that is excreted onto the skin. This gland is the sebaceous gland.
After puberty, in reponse to the male hormone testosterone, two things happen:
The gland grows larger, and secretes more sebum.
The walls of the duct, or tube heading to the surface, get thickened.
Yep, even girls have this male hormone as well, though in lesser amounts than boys.
Acne Myths
Let's talk about the myths often surrounding acne:
Cleanliness
That acne is due to dirty, unclean skin. Not true - those blackheads are sebum, not dirt. There's a whole cosmetic industry out there, selling special "foaming cleansers", that don't do a lot, and are no more effective than a mild soap and water.
Diet
Too much junk food, not enough vitamins, chocolate and milk etc. Not true, despite what you've been told. If we slowly starve you to death, in the concentration camp from hell, the acne remains right up to the end - it's got nothing to do with your diet.
Sex
Well, partially true, in that it's triggered off by the male sex hormone, testosterone (which girls have as well). But it has nothing to do with too much sex, not enough sex or thinking about sex. In girls, it may get worse just before and during a period, but that's due to their hormones fluctuating.
Nothing can be done about Acne
Wrong, absolutely wrong. Modern treatments are getting better and better, are multiple for different patients, are usually very effective, can settle it down, even get rid of it entirely. If you do nothing, it will, eventually, go away by itself, but besides the discomfort and appearance, the big side-effect is scarring.
Treatments
Topical Treatments - using creams/gels etc
Long Term Antibiotics
Special Versions of the Pill
Roaccutane
Omnilux Blue Light Therapy
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Omnilux Blue Light Treatment
Acne results from obstruction and inflammation of the sebaceous glands and is a condition that affects up to 80% of our population - usually during adolescence, when hormonal changes affect these glands.
Treatments, until now, have revolved around topical medications and antibiotics with some, but limited, long term resolution, of this disfiguring and troublesome problem. The medical community has long acknowledged the need for alternative therapy or a combination of therapies for those people who either fail to respond to current treatments
or those that may develop side-effects to these treatments.
The latest approach to the resolution of acne involves Phototherapy, utilising a specific band of Blue Light, either alone or in combination with conventionald treatments. Simply put, there is a natural, non-invasive, pain free treatment becoming available
that is causing great excitment in the Dermatology community.
What is Omnilux Blue Light Therapy?
Omnilux Blue is a light source that is specially tuned to activate natural chemicals found in the bacteria that causes the redness in acne. When stimulated these chemicals destroy the bacteria. The
light also stimulates cells in your body that help with the healing process. The light is made up of Light Emitting Diodes or LED's.
How many treatments will I need and what can I expect from the series of treatments?
Initially you will need a series of 8 treatments, at least twice a week or three times per week. Optimum results will be
seen between 4-8 weeks after treatment ceases. The light stimulates natural processes that go on after
the treatment has stopped. In recent studies, subjects have seen complete clearance of their lesions, however on average you should expect a
70% clearance of lesions within that time frame.
What actually happens during the treatment and is it painful?
During the treatment you can sit up or lie down. You'll have to remove any make-up or sunblock before the treatment and you'll be asked to wear some safety goggles (provided).
The light will be positioned close to your face. The treatment lasts 20 minutes. After that you're free to go home. Dependent upon your type of acne, Dr Elliott may suggest
you use combination therapy - that is soap free cleansers and antibiotics or topical creams as explained above.
Dr Elliott will be happy to discuss your individual needs and recommend an appropriate treatment for your acne.
No heat generated so NO pain!
Eradicates the bacterium that causes acne through natural processes, so it won't harm your skin!
Promotes your body's natural healing response.
Highly effective, no side effects, no irritation.
Quick and simple!
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Before and After Pictures
Before
89% after 4 weeks post treatment
Before 73% after 8 weeks post treatment
Before 58% after 4 weeks post treatment
Before 58% after 8 weeks post treatment
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