Acne Treatment Kelowna FAQs
Am I a good candidate for professional acne treatment in Kelowna, BC?
If you have moderate to severe acne, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice about how to treat it. Acne is common among teenagers, but can also present in adults as well, and can affect almost any area of the body. A thorough medical evaluation and treatment plan can help to clear your skin, prevent or minimize scarring and improve confidence and body image.
What causes acne?
Increased oil production and blocked pores that contributes to acne can be a result of hormones or simply heredity. Many people with severe forms of acne have family members who have suffered with the condition as well.
How long will it take to treat my acne?
We know you want to get rid of your acne as soon as possible. That’s why we create a customized treatment plan that is tailor made for each individual patient. The options and timeline depend largely on the type and severity of the skin condition, so there is not one simple answer. That said, we expect to see improvement within the first couple of weeks of treatment. Call us for a consultation to discuss what treatments would be right for you.
I already have scars – is there anything you can do to get rid of them?
There is! Many people feel that they are stuck with acne scars for life, when the truth is, there’s a lot that can be done to diminish them. Chemical peels, laser treatments and dermal fillers can all be excellent treatment options to name a few.
I’m concerned that I will need a chemical peel to treat my acne – are they painful?
With our mild medical grade chemical peels, you’ll feel only a warm sensation as the peel is applied. For deeper medical grade chemical peels used to address more severe acne we apply a numbing cream in advance of your procedure to ensure that you have minimal discomfort throughout your treatment.
Can Severe Acne Be Treated With Topical Medications Such as Topical Antibiotics or Topical Retinoids?
Yes, topical medications may be included in a treatment plan for moderate or severe acne, but they are often combined with oral antibiotics, oral isotretinoin, or hormonal therapy. Common topical treatments include topical antibiotics, topical retinoids, topical benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and azelaic acid.
These acne medications help remove dead skin cells, control the oil glands, reduce inflammation, and prevent clogged pores. Because acne vulgaris develops when oil and skin cells create plugged hair follicles, preventing clogged hair follicles is an important part of treatment.
For inflammatory acne, dermatologists may recommend fixed dose combinations that pair ingredients with different antibacterial properties. Topical antibiotics are typically used with benzoyl peroxide to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistant bacteria. Our acne experts can evaluate your acne severity and create an effective treatment plan to treat acne safely.
Are There Any Risk Factors for Acne Medications?
Potential side effects vary among acne treatment products. Some products can cause dry skin, skin redness, skin irritation, or temporary skin discoloration, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Using too many acne products, scrubbing aggressively, or applying a harsh chemical solution may make acne worse rather than improve acne.
Patients should tell their dermatologist about their health conditions, pregnancy plans, medications, and any family history of musculoskeletal and skin diseases or other relevant concerns. Certain medications, including an oral retinoid, require close medical supervision because they can cause serious side effects and must not be used during pregnancy.
Even products containing alpha hydroxy acids or natural ingredients such as tea tree oil may irritate acne prone skin. A gentle cleanser and dermatologist-directed treatment regimen can help limit irritation while supporting the skin barrier. Additional further research may be needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of some complementary remedies.
Can Adult Acne Be Treated the Same as Teenage Acne?
Some conventional acne treatments are appropriate for both teenagers and adults, but adult acne may require a different approach based on its causes and patterns. Hormonal changes, medications, stress, and certain skin diseases can contribute to acne development or trigger an acne flare.
For some adult women, birth control pills, combined oral contraceptives, or another form of hormone therapy may help decrease acne. However, these options are not appropriate for everyone, and a dermatologist may recommend other treatments based on the patient’s health, symptoms, and treatment goals.
Whether a patient has mild acne or moderate acne, treatment should be individualized. Picking the skin, using irritating products, or stopping medication too soon can worsen acne or trigger another acne breakout.
Can Acne Scars Be Caused by Acne Treatments?
Acne treatments generally do not cause true acne scars. Scarring is more commonly associated with deep, untreated inflammation that damages the skin around affected hair follicles, particularly when pimples are picked or squeezed.
However, many acne medications can temporarily irritate the skin or leave areas of redness or discoloration. Following instructions carefully and adjusting the treatment when irritation develops can help patients safely work toward clear acne.
If you have moderate to severe acne, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice about how to treat it. Acne is common among teenagers, but can also present in adults as well, and can affect almost any area of the body. A thorough medical evaluation and treatment plan can help to clear your skin, prevent or minimize scarring and improve confidence and body image.
Increased oil production and blocked pores that contributes to acne can be a result of hormones or simply heredity. Many people with severe forms of acne have family members who have suffered with the condition as well.
We know you want to get rid of your acne as soon as possible. That’s why we create a customized treatment plan that is tailor made for each individual patient. The options and timeline depend largely on the type and severity of the skin condition, so there is not one simple answer. That said, we expect to see improvement within the first couple of weeks of treatment. Call us for a consultation to discuss what treatments would be right for you.
There is! Many people feel that they are stuck with acne scars for life, when the truth is, there’s a lot that can be done to diminish them. Chemical peels, laser treatments and dermal fillers can all be excellent treatment options to name a few.
With our mild medical grade chemical peels, you’ll feel only a warm sensation as the peel is applied. For deeper medical grade chemical peels used to address more severe acne we apply a numbing cream in advance of your procedure to ensure that you have minimal discomfort throughout your treatment.
Yes, topical medications may be included in a treatment plan for moderate or severe acne, but they are often combined with oral antibiotics, oral isotretinoin, or hormonal therapy. Common topical treatments include topical antibiotics, topical retinoids, topical benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and azelaic acid.
These acne medications help remove dead skin cells, control the oil glands, reduce inflammation, and prevent clogged pores. Because acne vulgaris develops when oil and skin cells create plugged hair follicles, preventing clogged hair follicles is an important part of treatment.
For inflammatory acne, dermatologists may recommend fixed dose combinations that pair ingredients with different antibacterial properties. Topical antibiotics are typically used with benzoyl peroxide to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic resistant bacteria. Our acne experts can evaluate your acne severity and create an effective treatment plan to treat acne safely.
Potential side effects vary among acne treatment products. Some products can cause dry skin, skin redness, skin irritation, or temporary skin discoloration, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Using too many acne products, scrubbing aggressively, or applying a harsh chemical solution may make acne worse rather than improve acne.
Patients should tell their dermatologist about their health conditions, pregnancy plans, medications, and any family history of musculoskeletal and skin diseases or other relevant concerns. Certain medications, including an oral retinoid, require close medical supervision because they can cause serious side effects and must not be used during pregnancy.
Even products containing alpha hydroxy acids or natural ingredients such as tea tree oil may irritate acne prone skin. A gentle cleanser and dermatologist-directed treatment regimen can help limit irritation while supporting the skin barrier. Additional further research may be needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of some complementary remedies.
Some conventional acne treatments are appropriate for both teenagers and adults, but adult acne may require a different approach based on its causes and patterns. Hormonal changes, medications, stress, and certain skin diseases can contribute to acne development or trigger an acne flare.
For some adult women, birth control pills, combined oral contraceptives, or another form of hormone therapy may help decrease acne. However, these options are not appropriate for everyone, and a dermatologist may recommend other treatments based on the patient’s health, symptoms, and treatment goals.
Whether a patient has mild acne or moderate acne, treatment should be individualized. Picking the skin, using irritating products, or stopping medication too soon can worsen acne or trigger another acne breakout.
Acne treatments generally do not cause true acne scars. Scarring is more commonly associated with deep, untreated inflammation that damages the skin around affected hair follicles, particularly when pimples are picked or squeezed.
However, many acne medications can temporarily irritate the skin or leave areas of redness or discoloration. Following instructions carefully and adjusting the treatment when irritation develops can help patients safely work toward clear acne.
