Spa Treatment for Acne

The treatments available for acne, acne scarring and other dermatological conditions are numerous and varied.  Some enjoy more success than others and some are more easily tolerated by patients.

Leaving creams and pills behind, many people affected by acne are now turning to medical spas to help clear up their conditions.  There are a large number of these spas in operation but the methods employed tend to be rather similar.

An initial consultation with a doctor or nurse will generally consist of evaluation of your skin and its condition.  The professional will make a note of how you treat your skin at present; what creams or lotions you may use, what medication you may be on, as well as taking a history of your general health.  They will also be interested in your diet and lifestyle habits as these have a large impact on how your body functions and, in turn, how your skin looks.

At this beginning stage of spa treatment for acne, the health professional should also explain to you why your skin is not looking as good as you would like and will suggest a number of ways you can improve its condition, such as the food and drink you consume and the amount of exercise you take.

Following the consultation, the medical spa treatments available should be explained to you fully.  These generally consist of microdermabrasion and may also include a chemical face peel.  These treatments are similar in that they remove the upper layer of skin, affected by acne, and allow the healthy skin underneath to show.

An additional spa treatment for acne, laser treatment, is becoming more popular.  Different spas will adopt various methods of carrying out the treatment and may use alternative lasers and light wavelengths however, essentially the procedure is the same.

A wavelength of light energy is driven deep into the skin in pulses.  With the heat of the light, the size of skin glands are reduced which in turn reduces the amount of oil or sebum production.  This light energy also destroys the most common bacteria which cause acne.

Generally, a course of four to five treatments, over a period of two or three months is required.  Depending on the severity of acne, some patients will see improvement immediately while some may have to wait for their third or fourth session.  There are no side effects although the treatment itself may be mildly uncomfortable.

Laser therapy for acne is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is generally very successful.