Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is a common skin condition, caused by changes in pilosebaceous units, skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland, via androgen stimulation. It is characterized by noninflammatory follicular papules or comedones and by inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules in its more severe forms. Acne vulgaris affects the areas of skin with the densest population of sebaceous follicles; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back. Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in noninflammatory forms. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, blemishes, spots, zits, or simply acne.
Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. The cause in adolescence is generally an increase in male sex hormones, which people of both genders accrue during puberty. For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear—or at the very least decrease—after one reaches one's early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will carry this condition well into their thirties, forties and beyond.
The face and upper neck are the most commonly affected, but the chest, back and shoulders may have acne as well. The upper arms can also have acne, but lesions found there are often keratosis pilaris, not acne. Typical acne lesions are comedones, inflammatory papules, pustules and nodules. Some of the large nodules were previously called "cysts" and the term nodulocystic has been used to describe severe cases of inflammatory acne.
Light Heat Energy (LHE)
Used by over 50% of all practitioners worldwide who administer acne phototherapy, LHE is a no-compromise solution for acne; excellent clinical results and safe for all skin types. A unique combination of red light, green light and heat deliver unmatched clinical results for acne clearance. Patients have experienced up to 90% clearance of acne lesions after a 4 week/8 session treatment course and most patients remained acne-free 3-6 months after treatment.
Micordermabrasion
This is a treatment that gives the skin a "cut and polish and a vacuum clean". It has a superficial "buffing" effect which smooths the surface and the suction cleans out comedones and pustules. A series of treatments is usually performed.
For acne, it is not regarded as a stand-alone treatment but may be used in association with topical or oral medications. For acne scarring, it would only be considered for the most minor of conditions.