QUICK ANSWER – AviClear
In March 2022, the FDA approved a new breakthrough treatment for acne. This treatment is a game-changing development in acne treatment. Requiring no downtime, and with treatments taking only 30 minutes each, the results are breathtaking. We will examine this treatment in full later on in this article but for those of you in a rush, we recommend looking into the new AviClear treatment.
Here at Xanadu Med Spa, Fort Collins, we are part of the first wave and one of the only spas in the country to offer this breakthrough treatment, get in touch today with one of our skilled estheticians, and we can arrange a sit-down meeting to describe the procedure in more detail.
The Acne Epidemic
Acne is America’s number one skin issue. More people suffer from acne than any other skin condition, with over 50 million sufferers across the country. There have been numerous treatment options designed to combat this condition over the years, some successful and others not. Unfortunately, until now, there has not been a treatment that works across the board, but with the FDA’s new approval of AviClear, the landscape looks to be changing.
Previous treatments have included a range of cleansers and toners, and for severe cases, steroid creams, lasers or Accutane have been used. These methods may work for your acne, but there are a lot of potential side effects, and they each have their own drawbacks. One main drawback is that these treatments do not work on everyone’s skin type, meaning many people cannot use them.
In this article, we are going to look at some of the options on offer to acne sufferers, and we will recommend some treatments depending on your specific circumstances.
What is Acne?
Acne is a type of skin condition. It is caused when sebum, which is secreted in your skin cells, plugs up your hair follicles. This leads to a blockage of oil and dead skin cells that can result in a spot, pimple, or blackhead.
Teenagers who are facing hormonal changes and adults going through menopause often suffer the most, but the condition can occur for a number of other reasons.
Causes
There are four factors that are believed to be the cause of Acne:
- Excess oil (sebum) production
- Hair follicles are clogged by oil and dead skin cells
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
The chest, upper back, face, and forehead are areas where a lot of sebum is produced, and this means they are the areas most susceptible to acne.
Connected to your hair follicles are special oil glands, and when your hair follicle wall bulges, it can lead to a whitehead forming. If the skin is broken, you are left with open pores, and these can fill up with oil and bacteria, leaving blackheads and visible spots. There may also be inflammation of the follicles and this leads to pimples.
Certain things may trigger or worsen acne:
Hormonal Changes
One of the main reasons for acne to develop or worsen is a hormonal change in the body, especially during puberty. During puberty, the sebum glands in your skin can become overactive and enlarge, spiking sebum production and leading to acne.
This isn’t just reserved for teenagers, either. Women going through menopause and even men going through mid-life changes can also develop acne.
Certain medications
There are a number of drugs that contain steroids that can cause acne, too and HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) or TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) may also lead to acne.
Diet
For certain individuals, it has been proven by studies that complex carbohydrates may cause oily skin and exacerbate acne symptoms in those that are sensitive.
Stress
Stress should not cause acne by itself, but if a person suffers from acne, stress can lead to hormonal changes that make acne worse.
How Can I Get Rid of My Acne? – Our Top Recommendation – AviClear
Currently, with all the science on offer to use, we believe the top treatment for acne across the board currently, in 2022, is AviClear. This is the treatment that we believe will work on the highest number of sufferers and provide the highest level of relief.
How Does AviClear Work?
AviClear is a groundbreaking laser treatment regimen that can work on every skin tone. This sets it apart from other treatments that had a higher chance of success on certain skin types. It works on both mild and severe cases of acne and is a great way to combat serious breakouts.
The way that AviClear works is that the complex laser system targets the sebum glands in the skin. Sebum is the oily substance that causes acne when overproduced, according to numerous studies. The sebum glands are particularly sensitive to pollution, so those who live in cities and built-up areas are more likely to suffer.
The AviClear laser works at 1726nm, which directly targets these sebum glands to reduce their production rate. The treatment lasts for 30 minutes, and a normal treatment plan would be three sessions once a month. AviClear provides immediate results, and patients should notice a serious reduction in breakouts and reduced severity of breakouts when they do occur.
Compared to previous acne treatments like Accutane, pills, peels, and topicals, which have not really progressed over the last 30 years, AviClear has been designed from the ground up, utilizing the input and expertise of both physicians and long-term acne sufferers.
How Long Do AviClear Results Last?
In clinical studies, AviClear showed two major benefits.
The first benefit of AviClear treatment is that the results were strong and immediate. Patients saw a huge reduction in further breakouts and intensity across the board, with around 80% of all those treated reporting a reduction of at least 50% in their acne. 90% of patients were happy with the results they received after one month.
90% of the patients in the study groups went on to see drastic improvements over three months, and those that continued to the 6-month mark saw an even bigger improvement. This proves that this treatment is not only immediately effective but it can be compounded over a long period to provide even stronger results.
While most acne sufferers who have been through the mill with the different acne treatments on offer, like Accutane, will know that treatments are never 100% guaranteed, AviClear seems to provide long-lasting and strong results compared to most traditional treatments.
Who is a Candidate for AviClear?
AviClear is a clinically proven treatment approved by the FDA. In order to gain this approval, the treatment was rigorously tested on all age groups and ethnicities. AviClear is safe for all ages and on all skin types, making it the perfect treatment for most acne sufferers, either teens or adults.
Unlike many of the other treatments on the market that target the sebum and also affect the melanin in dark skin tones, the AviClear treatment actively targets the sebum glands and nothing else. This means that those with darker skin tones can see incredible results, too, something that was not previously possible.
By following a healthy skincare routine, the improvements from the AviClear are easily maintained, and there are no side effects. For parents who have teenagers who are suffering from severe acne, this provides a new novel treatment that carries none of the nasty effects that chemical peels and other treatments carry. AviClear is mild on the skin and treats acne in all its forms.
Finally, if you have tried all of the conventional acne treatments and have seen no success, in studies, AviClear led to a lot of success in those that suffer from severe acne and have tried all the other traditional treatments, including Accutane and antibiotics, with patients claiming the results to be “miraculous”.
Are There any Risks or Side Effects to AviClear?
AviClear treatment lasts for around 30 minutes, and during this time, patients report feeling a strange sensation. This sensation is likened to that of a rubber band snapping on the skin. This is not painful, simply strange. This is because the AviClear treatment utilizes a temperature control system that allows the device to monitor the surface temperature of the skin. The device then applies active cooling or heating, depending upon the temperature, to increase the comfort of the patient.
Following the treatment, there are few side effects. There is also no need for downtime or recovery. This means patients can have a treatment on their lunch break or before work and carry on to their normal lives with no interruption afterward.
One side effect that may occur, is a breakout of acne in the days following the treatment. This is perfectly normal, and once it calms down, patients find that breakouts are not as bad in the future. After the second or third treatment, this should not happen at all.
How to Treat Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is a special type of inflammation-based acne. Cystic acne leads to painful pimples that can occur deep and under the skin. This usually occurs due to bacteria in the pores under the skin as opposed to sebum production.
Cystic acne is the worst form of acne for most people and is often painful. It can also lead to the development of nasty scars and, up until now, has been extremely hard to deal with and treat. Cystic acne treatment often involves taking oral antibiotics, prescription-strength topical creams, and topical Benzoyl peroxide.
It can take a long time for these cysts to disappear, and the treatments can have a number of side effects.
Fortunately, AviClear works on all forms of Acne, including cystic acne. This means that it is the perfect choice for those who have suffered from long-term cystic acne and want a drug-free treatment.
How to Treat Teen Acne
Most teenagers will suffer from spots and pimples to some degree, but those that have acne-prone skin may have more severe cases. Pimples and spots do not pose a health risk, but they can be painful and lead to long-term scarring that may affect a teenager’s self-esteem.
Teenagers suffer particularly badly during puberty, with hair growing and oil production in overdrive; acne flare ups are common during this period.
In an attempt to cover up pimples, teenagers may use chemical products, squeeze spots or cover them up with lots of makeup. This often makes the acne worse or leads to acne scars.
The best way to begin a healthy and effective treatment plan is to contact a dermatologist that specializes in teenage acne treatment.
The problem with traditional treatments that have been used on teenagers up until now is that they often require long periods of treatment, and many of the treatments are unreliable and may not work for everyone.
Fortunately, we can also treat acne with AviClear.
Some common ways to help teens get rid of acne include:
Topical Treatments
Retinoids and Retinoid-like Drugs
A drug that has retinoic acids or tretinoin as the main ingredients can be prescribed for moderate to severe acne. These treatments most commonly come in a topical form, such as a gel or a cream.
These topical medications are applied in the evening. You apply them several times a week, and as your skin becomes more used to the chemicals, you up that to once a day. It works by plugging hair follicles and helps unclog pores.
However, they can increase your skin’s sun sensitivity, making it more likely that you will burn or suffer from dry skin. They should not be used on sensitive skin.
Antibiotics
Antibiotic topicals kill the bacteria that are in excess in your skin. This reduces the redness and inflammation of your acne.
Azelaic acid and Salicylic acid
These acids are produced using a yeast and contain a special antibacterial property. It is used twice a day. Salicylic acid works by plugging hair follicles and often comes in both wash-off and leave-on products. Studies however show that the effectiveness is limited and unreliable.
Unproven Topicals
While some websites and articles suggest zinc, sulfur, nicotinamide, sodium and aluminum, there are no studies or strong evidence to support these claims so avoid them.
Oral medications
Antibiotics for Acne Vulgaris
Sufferers of moderate to severe acne may need to take oral antibiotics in order to reduce the bacteria in the body that causes acne which can reduce clogged pores. The first line of antibiotics that may be prescribed is tetracycline, but a macrolide may be given to children under eight and pregnant women.
If prescribed antibiotics, patients should be on them for as little a period as possible as long-term treatment may lead to antibiotic resistance. To combat this, they can be combined with other drugs, the main one being benzoyl peroxide.
Combined Oral Contraceptives
There are four separate contraceptives that the FDA has approved for acne therapy in women who may also want contraception. Combining estrogen and progestin allows for a reduction in acne. It may take several months before these treatments work, so your physician may prescribe other treatments upfront.
There are some common side effects suffered by those on this treatment, including weight gain, tender breasts, and nausea. They also increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Anti-androgen agents
If oral antibiotics are not helping a woman, they can use Aldactone, which blocks androgenic hormones in the body. This prevents sebum production but comes with possible side effects such as painful periods and tender breasts.
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
A derivative of vitamin A, Accutane is a strong treatment that is prescribed to those with moderate or severe acne that have seen no relief from other treatments. It should not be given to mild or moderate acne sufferers due to the possible side effects.
Accutane has a whole range of potential side effects, such as: inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and severe birth defects. All people receiving isotretinoin must participate in an FDA-approved risk management program.
Therapies
Light therapy
Light therapy that mimics sun exposure has been used with varying levels of success. Red light therapy may also be an effective treatment as it stimulates healing properties in the body. However, both treatments need further studies for dosage and methods to become standardized.
Drainage and extraction
Your doctor might remove whiteheads and blackheads using a specialized tool if they do not clear with topical medications. This may remove your acne temporarily but can cause serious scarring as well.
Steroid injection
Steroid injections may be used to treat cystic and nodular lesions. This can reduce the pain and provide rapid improvement in symptoms but may include side effects such as skin thinning and discolorations of the skin in the treated area.
Accutane Vs. AviClear
Accutane is one of the stronger prescription drugs that is given to those suffering with severe acne that does not respond well to other treatments. Accutane can prove effective at treating acne in some cases, but the side effects can be pretty worrying.
Common side effects include dry skin, vision issues, dry eyes, chapped lips, back pain, and joint pain, while the most severe side effects include inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, severe birth defects, miscarriage, and mental health conditions, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
Looking at those side effects, it is easy to see why many patients are worried about starting Accutane treatment.
Fortunately, the new AviClear treatment provides results that are similar in strength and effectiveness to Accutane, but without the nasty side effects.
Why Choose Xanadu Med Spa For Acne Treatments
In the Northern Colorado area, there is no destination as luxurious as Xanadu Med Spa for med and day spa treatments. We are based in Fort Collins and utilize only industry-leading, cutting-edge treatments to help our clients regain their confidence and beauty. Our highly skilled estheticians are trained to the highest industry standard, and we only utilize the highest quality ingredients and treatments that have been approved and studied.
We offer anti-aging treatment, skin rejuvenation, and a range of non-invasive cosmetic treatments. Age does not matter, and neither does skin type or color. If you want long-lasting results that last, we are here to help.
All new clients can take advantage of our free in-depth skin consultation. In this meeting, our trained estheticians will discuss your desires and evaluate your skin. They will then create a plan of action to provide you with the results you desire.
We will examine your skin type and discuss your needs and do everything in our power to ensure you leave our spa feeling radiant and energized.
Top 50 Company To Watch – Silicon Review
We are proud to be recognized by the Silicon Review as a top 50 company to watch. As industry leaders in terms of innovation and cutting-edge treatments, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of our craft, and this recognition proves we do what we say.
We are one of the first med spas across the United States to offer AviClear and the first in the Northern Colorado area.
Call us today to speak to one of our skilled estheticians and book a consultation at 970-591-7919.