Acne
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
A multi-step light-based treatment for acne and pre-cancerous cells.
What is PDT?
Photodynamic Therapy is a treatment for both acne and precancerous cells such as Actinic Keratosis. PDT involves the application of a topical medication to the treatment area and a light source. The topical medication is a photosensitizer called Levulan or Levulanic acid, which makes the skin more sensitive to light-based treatments. The light source is then applied using either blue/red light or intense pulsed light (IPL). These treatments help to destroy acne producing bacteria, to reduce the number of excessive sebaceous glands (oil glands), and to treat precancerous cells. In the treatment of acne, PDT helps to reduce both cystic acne and the frequency of acne breakouts. This treatment can be life-changing, reinvigorating the skin’s complexion, and preventing skin cancer.
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Acne and resulting inflammation can wreak havoc on a clear, smooth complexion. Luckily, PDT can be an effective way to help eliminate the inflammatory and scarring effects of acne.
PDT Treatment is generally 3-fold. First, superficial dead cells are stripped away with the use of vibradermabrasion to allow better and more effective absorption of the photosensitizer, Levulanic acid, or Levulan. Levulan is then applied topically to the problematic areas and time is allotted for its absorption into the target cells contributing to acne. After a short incubation time, the cells are now an easier target for the light-based therapies. Finally, light therapy is applied to the areas treated. Dr. Brandish will help determine what light therapy solution best suits your skin and your condition. The combination of light therapy and the topical photosensitizer works to destroy acne-causing bacteria in the skin and also helps to reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands (oil glands) in the skin that also contribute to acne.
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PDT can also be a great way to eliminate precancerous skin lesions. Similar to PDT for acne treatment, PDT Treatment utilizes light therapy enhanced by a topical photosensitizer drug to target and destroy precancerous cells and lesions. Dr. Brandish will help determine what light therapy solution best suits your skin and your condition, but usually, blue light therapy is used in the treatment of precancerous lesions. With PDT, more serious skin cancer can be prevented very effectively, and your skin can be restored to its healthy, smooth appearance.
PDT FAQ’S
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Results with PDT tend to last several months to a year, on average. The longevity of results for acne treatment varies due to many factors including genetics, hormones, nutrition, and lifestyle habits. A series of treatments will be needed to effectively reduce acne breakouts. In the treatment of precancerous cells, usually, one or two treatments work effectively to prevent skin cancer with yearly follow-up treatments as needed; a good skin regimen with sunscreen protection can have protective effects against precancerous cells and improve the longevity of PDT treatments.
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To start, you and Dr. Brandish will develop an individualized treatment plan to determine if PDT is the best tool for the desired result.
Once PDT is identified as the proper treatment, the skin will be cleaned and prepped for the procedure. Dr. Brandish will apply the topical photosensitizing agent to make the skin more susceptible to light therapy. After allowing some time for the photosensitizer to absorb into the skin, Dr. Brandish will apply the appropriate light therapy modality.
Although advanced precautions are taken at Brandish Clinic to more easily perform optimal treatments with minimal downtime, the procedure can make the skin very sensitive to light for the days after the procedure. Be sure to stay out of the sun for the first 24 hours and use protective sunscreen thereafter. There will be peeling of the skin after the treatment that may be mild or significant. Either way, the skin will be revitalized and have a more clear complexion. The peeling may also help to effectively reduce acne scarring.
A series of treatments over some weeks to months may be required to maximize the outcome in patients with acne. The number of treatments will be determined by the severity of acne and its stimulus.
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Even with perfectly-executed procedures, side effects may arise. The most common reported side effects with PDT to tend to be skin peeling or crusting, moderate pain akin to a sunburn, redness, swelling, tightness, itching, or acne flare-up initially. These side effects tend to alleviate over the following several days.
Blue Light
Using light to destroy bacteria and reduce oil gland productivity
What is Blue Light Therapy?
Blue Light therapy helps treat acne by exposing the skin to certain wavelengths of light, referred to as Blue Light. This accomplishes two things:
–Destroying the bacteria responsible for causing acne in the skin
–Reducing the oil gland activity in the pores may provide a suitable environment for the bacteria
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Blue light therapy works by killing the bacteria responsible for causing acne and inflammation, Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes.
These bacteria are naturally occurring in your skin but can cause acne inflammation when they find their way into pores. Luckily, they are sensitive to certain wavelengths of light (like blue light), so administering blue light therapy helps kill them off. Additionally, light therapy has also been shown to reduce the activity of oil glands in the pores, which makes the pores a less suitable environment for the bacteria to grow in. By destroying unwanted P. acne bacteria and reducing oil production in your pores, blue light therapy helps clear your skin of the underlying causes of acne inflammation and brings back your bright, smooth facial complexion! This therapy works even better with the use of topical Levulan, called Photodynamic Therapy or PDT, and it is synergistic in the treatment of acne.
Blue Light FAQ’S
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Results with Blue Light can last up to several months or more. A series of treatments over some weeks to months will help in the treatment of acne and should produce longer-lasting results.
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To start, you and Dr. Brandish will develop an individualized treatment plan to determine if Blue Light is the best tool for the desired result.
Once Blue Light is identified as the proper treatment, the skin will be cleaned and prepped for the procedure, and eyes protected from the light. The patient may be seated or lying down while a blue light device is applied to the treatment area. The sessions generally will last around 30 minutes but may vary depending on the severity of the acne and the size/location of the treatment area.
Be sure to stay out of the sun as much as possible after the treatment and always use a good skin regimen with protective sunscreen. A series of treatments over some weeks to months may be required to maximize the outcome.
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS TO BE AWARE OF WITH BLUE LIGHT?
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Blue Light therapy is extremely safe and easy, with virtually no side effects or downtime. The most commonly reported side effects are dryness, redness, and swelling, but these tend to be mild and usually dissipate within a few hours to a few days after treatment. Generally, the treatments are quick, easy, and safe.
Vibradermabrasion
For mild acne scarring, uneven pigmentation, skin texture, fine lines & dull skin
What is Vibradermabrasion?
Vibradermabrasion is an exfoliative skin treatment that employs high speed, powerfully vibrating paddles to remove the outermost dead cell skin layer called the stratum corneum. These paddles have a very small abrasive surface, and as it vibrates against the skin these abrasive particles displace dead skin cells. This can be helpful for certain conditions in which the outer layer of skin may be altered, like acne or sun/UV damage, as it facilitates cellular regeneration and collagen production in the skin while cleaning the skin surface of dead cells. It is also added to many treatments as adjunctive therapy such as with chemical peels, Photodynamic therapy for acne, and laser and light treatment. By removal of the outermost dead skin layer, allowing better absorption of chemical and light treatment to produce more effective results.
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Vibradermabrasion can be used to treat Acne and Acne Scarring. Acne can create troublesome scarring that disrupts the smoothness of the skin. With Vibradermabrasion’s exfoliative capabilities, the outer layer of skin can be displaced resulting in a more even, vibrant complexion. This treatment’s abrasion to the skin with the fine, abrasive surface of the vibrating paddles also stimulates collagen production – an important structural protein in the skin. This can help scarred skin regain some of its volumes over time.
It is the ability to stimulate cellular regeneration and collagen production is key to evening out the outer layer of skin, making scars from acne less noticeable. Scraping off these outer skin layers also helps keep acne-prone skin cleansed and clear, which can reduce acne and resultant inflammation. With Vibradermabrasion, our patients can receive a treatment for acne scars that is easy, safe, comfortable, much less irritating than other dermabrasion methods, and effective both in the short term and long term!
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Vibradermabrasion can also effectively treat sunspots / brown spots. With age and excessive sun exposure, UV light can begin to damage the melanocytes in our skin – the cells responsible for producing melanin pigmentation. As they get damaged they may overproduce melanin, resulting in unwanted dark brown spots that can interfere with a smooth, clear complexion.
Not only does removing the outermost layers of skin with Vibradermabrasion help even out the skin’s tone, but it also helps make the skin more susceptible to other topical treatments, creams, and lightening agents as well as light and laser therapy that can work well on dark sun-damaged spots. By removing dead skin cells from the top layers, pigmentation-fighting treatments may be more effective in penetrating and lightening sunspots, which makes Vibradermabrasion a great adjunctive way to help get rid of these unwanted pigmented areas. The result is a more even, radiant complexion!
Vibradermabrasion FAQ’S
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Vibradermabrasion treatments usually produce results that last anywhere from 3-6 months on average. Certain improvements in the skin tone and surface smoothness may persist much longer, as some pigmentation is scraped away from sunspots and as collagen is built up in the skin cells to restore volume. A skin-care routine with proper hygiene and protection from the sun will help create persisting results.
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To start, you and Dr. Brandish will develop an individualized treatment plan to determine if Vibradermabrasion is the best tool for the desired result.
Once Vibradermabrasion is identified as the proper treatment, the skin will be cleaned and prepped for the procedure. The patient will lie resting in our treatment chair, relaxed. A vibrating paddle will be placed against the skin of the area targeted for treatment. The Vibradermabrasion will feel like a vibrating strong massage over the skin removing the dead cell layer while stimulating collagen and cleansing the skin. Treatment typically takes 15-20 minutes to complete.
In the case of either acne or brown sunspot treatment, you may proceed to undergo other treatments after the completion of Vibradermabrasion.
Although advanced precautions are taken at Brandish Clinic to more easily perform optimal treatments with minimal downtime, the procedure can make the skin sensitive to light after the procedure. Be sure to have protective sunscreen to diminish any sun sensitivity. The skin will be revitalized and have a more clear complexion, sometimes immediately after the session!
A series of treatments over some weeks to months may be required to maximize the outcome in patients with acne and the number of treatments will be determined by the severity of the acne or sunspots.
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There are very few side effects with vibradermabrasion. The most common reported side effects tend to be skin redness, sun sensitivity, and mild peeling. These side effects tend to alleviate over a few hours to several days. Overall, vibradermabrasion is safe and comfortable, with almost no pain, less skin irritation than other dermabrasion methods, and very few other side effects.
Bellafill
Microsphere technology for bothersome facial scars and volume loss
What is Bellafill?
Bellafill is one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers on the market, FDA-approved for the treatment of acne scarring. It’s composed of microspheres that help to continuously induce our collagen-forming cells to lay down collagen over years, not months! These microspheres are designed to resist breaking down and they encourage the production of collagen in the skin for structural integrity, providing a very long-lasting treatment while reducing and smoothening acne scars.
It’s also FDA-approved for the treatment of smile lines, which has been shown to last up to 5 years!
Bellafill FAQ’S
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Acne and resulting inflammation can cause structural changes to the smoothness of facial skin and can affect virtually all age groups. The scarring not only causes frustrating changes in appearance but it can also be emotionally difficult. For many years dermal fillers and lasers fell short of being an effective acne scar treatment, since their results dissipate over time, providing only a short-term solution.
Then came Bellafill. It can be injected under the scarred areas of the facial skin to work its magic. This product contains two components, bovine collagen, and collagen-inducing microspheres. It’s these microspheres that stay behind once the bovine collagen dissipates. Not only does this formula provide instant correction of the acne scars, but its microbeads also persist for many years to continue facilitating collagen production, maintaining volume, and structural integrity of the skin where scars used to be prominent.
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Bellafill’s non-degradable formula makes it a sturdy dermal filler that stands the test of time. According to Bellafill’s website, 90% of patients reported being happy with the results at 1 year from the injection but in clinical practice, acne scar treatment results generally tend to last up to 5 years with touch-ups as needed.
Bellafill also reports smile line treatment lasting up to 5 years!
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To start, you and Dr. Brandish will develop an individualized treatment plan to determine if Bellafill is the best tool for the desired result. She is an expert injector with an artistic eye and years of experience using injectable fillers to contour the face and turn back the clock.
Before the treatment, a skin test is required to determine if there is any bovine collagen sensitivity. Once Bellafill is identified as the right treatment, Dr. Brandish will use topical numbing agents to minimize discomfort with the injection of the filler. All dermal fillers contain numbing agents as well to make treatment even more comfortable. Injections are often performed using a specialized technique with a cannula so that minimal bruising is seen after treatment. A device called an Accuvein laser may also be used to directly visualize the underlying vessels in the tissue around the injection site to further avoid bruising and make treatment safer.
Even with these extra precautions, there may be some mild redness, bruising, or swelling that may last several days. Although the advanced precautions are taken at Brandish Clinic help make optimal treatments much easier with minimal downtime. For the first 48 hours after the procedure, it’s important to be gentle with the treated areas. Try to minimize your contact with the injection sites during this period.
As with any medical procedure, it’s important to understand that recovery times may vary patient-to-patient, and this is also the reality with cosmetic procedures like Bellafill filler injections.
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According to the Bellafill website, the most commonly observed side effects are bruising, redness, and swelling. These are typically quite mild, and they should dissipate within several days depending on the treatment site. Dr. Brandish uses a soft-tipped cannula for the injection of dermal fillers to significantly minimize bruising and downtime and to make the procedure much safer to administer.
More information about side effects can be found on Bellafill’s website.