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Comprehensive Treatment Information for Canadian Dermatologists
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Acne - Patient's guide
Acne Surgical/Laser Treatment
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The following information provided below are surgical acne scar treatment options which fall into microdermabrasion, photorejuvenation, scar revision and laser skin resurfacing.
1) Microdermabrasion:
This acne scar treatment option improves overall skin tone and lustre and appears to help superficial mild acne scars. It also works best if your patient gets a series of at least 6 peels, having one every 1-2 weeks. It uses very fine aluminum crystals to create a micro dermabrasion effect on the skin. Although the face is the most common area, other sun damaged areas such as the neck, chest, arms and hands may be treated. The effects may be more pronounced than glycolic acid peels, and should be used for those patients who do not yet require laser skin resurfacing or who do not want to deal with the longer healing time.
This treatment is recommended for:
- Sun damaged skin
- Irregular pigmentation including sun spots and melasma
- Irregular and rough complexion
- Stretch marks and mild wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Minimal discomfort
- Short treatment time
- Virtually no recovery time
- Control of treatment parameters between conservative and aggressive
- Safe to use for all skin types and colours
- Relatively inexpensive when compared to laser treatments
- Multiple treatments may be required
- It will only have minimal effect on deep lines or severe pigment problems
After all makeup is removed and the skin is washed and prepped with a special cleanser, the power peel is performed. The treatment takes between 10-20 minutes, after which a moisturizer is applied. The skin remains slightly pink for a few hours to a day, but makeup may be used if desired. Peels may be repeated in as few as 12 days and the effects appear to be more dramatic if preceded by one or more glycolic acid peels. The ongoing use of topical alphahydroxyacids (AHAs) (such as NeoStrata® Glycolic Acid), Vitamin A, or Vitamin C compounds will help maintain the result of treatment. Toxicity studies have shown that the crystals used in the power peels are safe.
2) Photorejuvenation:
Using laser or broadband visible light, 5-6 treatments that are performed every 3-4 weeks will improve mild acne scarring by causing new collagen to form.
3) Scar Revision:
Surgical removal (or excision) of acne scars is especially effective for ice pick and boxcar scars. The excision may be in the form of a punch that is closed with sutures that are removed about 7 days later.
Another technique called subcision uses a sharp instrument to undercut this scar tissue, rolling scars are a result of scar tissue holding the skin down, the overlying skin is not cut so there is no need for sutures.
4) Laser Treatments:
- Laser resurfacing (CO2 laser, Erbium Yag laser)
- Pulsed dye laser
This technique uses a combination of laser carbon dioxide (CO2), and/or Erbium:YAG laser. The skin is removed layer by layer, which removes the uppermost portion of the scars, at the same time heat produced by the laser tightens the skin, which will help smooth out the scars. After laser skin resurfacing, you won’t see the final results for about 18 months. During this time, the skin and its collagen remodel and smooth out the scars. Laser resurfacing is often combined with one or several other treatments for acne scars. This combination approach consistently gives better results when compared to other therapies.
When laser resurfacing and surgical treatment for acne scars are combined, the surgical treatment is usually completed 6-12 weeks before the laser resurfacing. This gives the skin time to heal and remodel itself. Laser resurfacing is superb for treating shallow boxcar scars, as well as for smoothing and tightening scars that have been treated previously.
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INTRODUCTION
Clinical experience confirms what has been shown in clinical trials, that Clindoxyl Gel is effective and well tolerated Once daily application of topical that combines two active anti-acne agents may well increase patient compliance... | Read more ... -
CLININCAL EXPERIENCE
More than six international studies involving over 6,000 patients have shown reductions in the PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) of approximately 40% after one week of treatment and 70% after four weeks... | Read more ... -
INDICATIONS
Moderate comedonal and papulo-pustular acne Approved in Canada as a once daily topical for moderate Acne in December 2000... | Read more ... -
PATIENT PROFILE
Any patient who has inflammatory acne can be treated with Clindoxyl Gel Acne patients with comedones only are best treated by topical retinoids Patients with cystic acne usually require systemic therapy... | Read more ... -
DOSING
Once daily application of Clindoxyl Gel is recommended The product needs to be applied to the whole region of skin that is affected with acne. In other words... | Read more ... -
EFFICACY
The following figures show pooled data from randomized, controlled double-blind trials involving 673 patients with acne... | Read more ... -
COMPLIANCE
Three factors to consider for good compliance of Clindoxyl Gel are: Well tolerated by most patients, results are often seen within 2 weeks... | Read more ... -
SIDE EFFECTS, SAFETY AND RISKS
Overall tolerance was rated as excellent in 94% of patients. Potential side effects expected in some patients... | Read more ... -
COST OF TREATMENT
This is a cost effective product. Reducing inflammation can reduce the risks of scarring... | Read more ...
View the entire Clindoxyl® Gel presentation.
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INTRODUCTION
There are limitations for regulators, pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical sales representatives to present clinical evidence following development of product monograph and drug approval... | Read more ... -
CLININCAL EXPERIENCE
Diane-35® (2mg cyproterone acetate and 0.035mg ethinyl estradiol) is approved for use in Canada to treat women with severe acne who are unresponsive to other available treatments and who have associated symptoms of androgenization, such as seborrhea and mild hirsutism. In addition to treating acne, Diane-35® also provides reliable contraception... | Read more ... -
INDICATIONS
Used to treat women with severe* acne and its associated symptoms of androgenization, including seborrhea and mild hirsutism.. | Read more ... -
PATIENT PROFILE
Women who have acne associated or not with signs of hyperandrogenism. Any woman who has acne that is not controlled with topical medication... | Read more ... -
DOSING
Diane-35® is sold in blister pack units containing 21 tablets. Each tablet contains 2mg of cyproterone acetate and 0.035mg of ethinyl estradiol. Each cycle consists of 21 days on the medication and a 7-day interval without it... | Read more ... -
EFFICACY
Improvements in seborrhea are generally seen after 2 to 3 months. Improvements to acne are generally seen after 3 to 4 months. Numerous studies have proven the efficacy of hormonal therapy in treating acne over 6 or more months of use... | Read more ... -
COMPLIANCE
Patients should take Diane-35® at the same time each day with liquid... | Read more ... -
SIDE EFFECTS, SAFETY AND RISKS
Side effects are typical of most oral contraceptives and can include breast tenderness, headache, nausea, breakthrough bleeding, ankle swelling and weight gain. These side effects are typically mild and tend to resolve by the second or third cycle of therapy... | Read more ... -
COST OF TREATMENT
Diane-35 is sold to pharmacy wholesalers at a cost of $19.00 per cycle... | Read more ...
View the entire Diane-35® presentation.
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Last modified: Tuesday, 17-Aug-2010 12:02:16 MDT