ACNE VULGARIS & ROSACEA

WHY COVER IT WHEN YOU CAN CLEAR IT?

Acne vulgaris, commonly known as just acne, is basically a genetically determined and hormonally driven disease The first signs of acne typically occur around the time of puberty when the hormone changes increase production of oil by the sebaceous glands. However, certain types of acne may not occur until later in young adulthood and even into the middle years.  These glands become plugged up as they make oil or sebum, and the first abnormality which appears is a small whitehead.  As the plug of sebum is exposed to the air, it oxidizes and becomes black. These blackheads and whiteheads may enlarge increasing the pore size and visible pitting of the skin. When the skin bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) act on this retained oil, fatty acids and other irritating substances are released and inflammatory pustules and cysts of acne occur.

Acne rosacea is a chronic and often progressive skin disease that causes redness and swelling on the face.  As many as 14 million Americans have rosacea, most between the ages of 30 and 50.  Rosacea may begin as a tendency to flush or blush easily, and progress to persistent redness in the center of the face that may gradually affect the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose.  As the disease worsens, the redness becomes more severe and persistent, and small blood vessels, acne-like pimples and nodules may become visible on the surface of the skin.  Rosacea can be exacerbated by exposure to extremes of hot and cold, sunlight, emotional stress, hot beverages, alcohol, spicy foods and certain skin care products.

The scope of treatment available at Avanti Skin Center is multifaceted and again, individualized to the patient.

TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

Limelight™ Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
Now featuring the newest and most advanced  Intense Pulsed Light  (IPL) system available today from Cutera®. In keeping with Avanti Skin Center’s philosophy to provide treatments individually tailored to your skin’s need, we now have control over all of the treatment parameters required to optimize your results, while maintaining the unique safety and comfort features unique to Cutera®.  

The penetrating energy of Intense Pulsed Light kills the P. acne bacteria and stimulates skin rejuvenation decreasing the outbreak of lesions and overall improving the appearance of your skin.  IPL is an excellent treatment for rosacea due to it’s intense vascularity and the ability of this modality to effectively shut down the fine blood vessels.

Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic Therapy targets the increased vascularity of rosacea as well as the three main factors that cause acne vulgaris: the overproduction of oil by enlarged oil glands in the skin; blockage of the hair follicles that release the oil; and a growth of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acne) within the hair follicles. Photodynamic therapy combines Limelight™ Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) with the topical photosensitizing agent Levulan® (5-aminolevulinic acid or ALA). Once applied to the skin, the ALA is absorbed in the oil glands and hair follicles. It converts the porphyrin produced by the P. acne into a form which absorbs the light energy more effectively.   When activated by the intense light or laser, the ALA reduces the oil glands, removes the  P. acnes bacteria, minimizes pores, and improves the appearance of some acne scars. 

CoolGlide® Vascular Laser
Combining the unique 1064nm Nd:Yag laser at Avanti with the Photodynamic Therapy at the same visit, the prominent spider veins of Rosacea can be individually treated to further enhance the results.

Laser Genesis™
Combining this technique using the 1064 nm Nd:Yag laser at the same treatment, the diffuse redness of Rosacea can be further improved and the P. acne component reduced.  In addition, this treatment will improve the overall texture of the skin reducing the enlarged pore size and diminishing acne scars from old outbreaks.

Régenique™
Avanti Skin Center is proud to be the first in middle Tennessee to offer this revolutionary procedure. Régenique™ combines three scientifically-proven, medically-approved processes  to clean clogged pores, grow new collagen, improve overall health of the skin, restructure tissue, smooth tone, and tighten skin: ExcellaDerm™ microdermabrasion, ExcellaWave™ ultrasonic and electrical stimulation, and an exclusive line of ExcellaPure™ skin pharmaceuticals all work synergistically to achieve these amazing results.  This relaxing procedure not only feels wonderful, leaves you looking amazing, but actually rejuvenates your skin on a cellular level.

Microdermabrasion
The unique action and variable control of the physician grade equipment at Avanti effectively removes the dead skin layer, unclogs the pores, and over time reduces pore size, and can help diminish scarring.

Physician Grade Cosmoceuticals
Avanti Skin Center is proud to offer serums and lotions which effectively nourish, replenish, and rejuvenate your skin on a daily basis.  As with all of our treatment modalities, Avanti has a selection of the finest products available which will be custom recommended for your individual skin needs.