BBL TreatmentsEveryone has woken up in the morning to find a pimple staring back at them in the mirror. Sometimes it’s more than just one pimple. Sometimes it’s a dozen, with one popping up after the other just as the latest one heals.

If you know this struggle, you’re not alone! Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. On some people, acne is a pesky pimple; on others, it is deep, cystic nodules and scarring. Acne may look different on everyone, but everyone wants to find a way to treat it.

Image showing how acne formsTreating acne is tricky; many people who have it have most likely tried many approaches in an attempt to control it, only to continue waking up with new blemishes. Those who suffer from acne know the exhausting and frustrating process, trying every combination of medicine under the sun: over the counter topicals, prescribed topicals, multiple kinds of antibiotics. In some cases, people will find themselves becoming immune to treatments after trying for so long.

Extreme medication regimens aren’t the only answer to treating acne.

Stop with the creams and pills. Ditch the extra makeup, don’t hide behind a hat, and stop worrying about scars; there’s a treatment for you, and Dr. Lady Dy of Dy Dermatology Center in Glenview, Illinois, is dedicated to helping you find it. Dr. Dy is one of the most highly sought-after dermatologists who builds individual treatment plans for patients struggling to achieve blemish-free skin.

Dr. Dy doesn’t always treat her patients with the traditional acne treatments and medications that many dermatologists may use (such as oral antibiotics). She develops plans using some of the best treatment methods on the market, helping her patients see improvement in just a few short weeks.

Acne 101

Simply put, acne appears when a pore is clogged. Usually, dead skin cells rise to the surface of the skin and flake away to make way for new, healthy skin cells. When the body produces too much sebum (oil), it can block the pore, preventing the dead skin cells from rising to the surface. The oil, along with other bacteria, then gets trapped in the pore beneath the dead cells and causes an inflammatory reaction—a blemish.

image showing girl with acneThere are many factors that can trigger and/or worsen acne. Most specifically, hormones. Acne develops in response to hormonal changes, and especially a rise in androgens, such as testosterone. Androgens are hormones that cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. What is often referred to as “hormonal acne,” acne triggered by androgens is most common in women. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives also can affect sebum production.

Other factors that can trigger acne are certain medications, diet, and stress.

Acne can be anywhere on the body, but most people struggle to control acne on their face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders, because those are the areas that have the most oil glands. Remember, teenagers aren’t the only ones who battle acne—adults struggle with it, too.

Treating Acne: What’s the Plan?

Just like the acne itself, its treatment looks different for each person. There are some common treatments that dermatologists often recommend to their patients. The most common? Antibiotics.

Dr. Dy knows that some patients have had great success treating acne with some of the traditional— even unconventional— treatments, but those treatment plans aren’t her go-to recommendations.

Let’s quickly review the most common acne treatments in the practice of dermatology:

  • Oral antibiotics are prescribed to reduce the redness and swelling of acne.
  • Topical bacterial and retinol products work to reduce bacteria and clogged pores.
  • Corticosteroids, such as a low-dose prednisone and/or corticosteroid injections work to reduce the size and swelling.
  • Birth control pills can be an effective part of an acne treatment plan. Taking birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progesterone lowers the amount of androgens in the body, which results in less sebum and less acne.
  • Spironolactone is a diuretic medication that reduces excess oil and can effectively treat severe acne in women.
  • Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a potent medicine that attacks all four causes of acne — bacteria, clogged pores, excess oil, and inflammation. Due to possible side effects, you will need to carefully consider whether you want to take this medicine. If you decide to take isotretinoin, you must enroll in a monitoring program.

While these treatments have proved to be successful for many people who struggle with acne, Dr. Dy has her own personal approach for treating acne quickly, gently and successfully: no medication needed.

Here are a few of the best acne treatments Dr. Dy offers her patients:

before and after acne imageForever Young BBL Treatment for Acne

  • Sciton’s Forever Clear Broadband Light (BBL) is a cutting-edge, FDA approved acne treatment that uses the power of light to comfortably and effectively clear acne without creams or medicine. BBL is the world’s most powerful Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device delivering light energy deep into your skin to stimulate and regenerate your skin cells. Dr. Dy uses this device in her office on even the worst cases of acne. Here are some before and after pictures:
  • The HydraFacial is a medical-grade hydradermabrasion device that Dr. Dy uses to clean clogged pores. Unlike traditional dermabrasion, hydradermabrasion is a more effective approach to clearing pores, while simultaneously incorporating potent actives such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid to loosen up the debris found in the pores, while simultaneously brightening, plumping, and moisturizing the skin.

Dr. Dy suggests a variety of chemical peels to help kill bacteria, clear pores, and rejuvenate skin; these peels involve the use of chemicals, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid. The chemical is applied to your skin and then removed after setting for a certain amount of time. Eventually, the top layer of your skin peels off, revealing newer, more youthful-looking skin.

Here are a few other of Dr. Dy’s favorite chemical peels:

    • Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that has antimicrobial/antibacterial properties, making it an excellent choice for all types of acne, including cystic acne. It rapidly exfoliates dead skin cells and surface debris from the skin, cleaning and refining pores.
    • Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a derivative of acetic acid (vinegar) and is used to remove the top layer of cells for a smoother, clearer complexion. TCA peels vary in strength and results depending on the concentration of acid used.
    • Jessner Acid peels work by removing the top layers of skin to reveal smoother, more even-toned skin beneath. It’s typically a medium peel, which means it removes skin cells from the top layer of your skin (epidermis) and the upper portion of the middle layer (dermis).

The answer to treating acne doesn’t have to be antibiotics or other oral and/or topical medications.

Dr. Dy knows that she can successfully treat even some of the worst cases of acne with some of her exclusive chemical peel and laser treatments. With her combination treatments, many of Dr. Dy’s patients see results in as little as a few weeks.


 

Dr. Lady Christine Dy, Dermatologist

Dr. Lady Dy is one of the most sought after dermatologists in the United States. She has studied all over the world and has worked with the world’s leading experts in skin and hair. Her patients fly from all over North America, Dubai, Norway and Korea to be treated by her in Chicago. To learn more, contact Dy Dermatology Center. Click here to request an appointment or call the dermatology center at (847) 832-1185.