Which Acne Treatment Is Most Effective? Vancouver Physician Explains

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - May 21, 2014) - According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, acne is the most common skin care condition seen by physicians. With several different forms, this skin condition can appear as red or pink pimples, lesions, whiteheads, and blackheads. Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, a Vancouver family physician with a special interest in dermatology, says acne and acne scarring are also among the most popular skin conditions that patients seek corrective treatment for at her practice. Although acne can be a discouraging skin condition, Dr. Ebrahim says due to current advances in light therapy, many patients are able to achieve healthier, clearer skin through customized treatments.

"Treatment is individualized, depending upon the stage and grade (i.e. the severity) of acne, and the age of onset," she says. "Acne appearing for the first time in an adult is treated differently than mild comedonal acne in a teenager."

In Afterglow Physician Directed Medical Aesthetic's ASK DR. E TV, a video series dedicated to providing patients with expert skin care techniques and timely topics, Dr. Ebrahim explains that treatment options for acne include:

• Combination topicals
• Chemical peels
• Silk Peel™ Microdermabrasion
• Blue Light Therapy
• Blu-U in combination with Levulan

"Levulan (ALA) is a topical agent used to kill the bacteria associated with acne, as well as to reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands," says Dr. Ebrahim. "This type of procedure is called Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)." When PDT is performed, it requires Levulan be applied to the face and incubate for three hours. "Immediately following the procedure, the face looks like a bad sunburn," Dr. Ebrahim adds. "But, resolution happens over a few days with a reduction in acne lesions. Typically three treatments are required, three weeks apart."

According to Dr. Ebrahim, one of the most important factors patients should remember when undergoing treatment is patience. "Non-compliance is a major issue that can lead to treatment failure," she says. "This is because improvement is slow, taking at least six to eight weeks to take effect. When patients don't see immediate results, they get discouraged and stop treatment. So patience is a virtue. Maintenance is important as acne is controllable, not curable."

In a recent blog post titled, "How To Effectively Treat Acne," Dr. Ebrahim offers patients important maintenance tips to help keep skin clear, and less prone to breakouts. "I recommend keeping the skin clean with gentle cleansers composed of lactic or glycolic acid, and using benzoyl peroxide soaps for the body," she says. "Sunlight for 20 minutes without a sunblock improves acne and should be encouraged, but only for 20 minutes."

Nutrition can also help make acne more manageable, says Dr. Ebrahim. "The role of food was unclear until recently," she says. "Studies now show that acne improves with a diet low in refined carbohydrates, egg whites, rice, and sugar. Whole milk or two percent milk is better than skim milk. Fish oils and probiotics also seem to have a beneficial effect."

The most important advice to remember? "Acne is not your fault; it is genetically mediated," says Dr. Ebrahim. There are a variety of treatments available depending on the grade and form of acne, and by beginning treatment with a physician, most patients can achieve healthier, clearer skin.

About Shehla Ebrahim, MD
Dr. Ebrahim graduated from the University of British Columbia, and earned her practical dermatology diploma from the University of Cardiff in Wales. She serves as the Medical Director for Afterglow Physician Directed Medical Aesthetics and Ambleside Dermedics Health Centre in West Vancouver, and she was awarded the 2013 Business Excellence Award for Best New Business. She is a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and holds memberships in many medical organizations, such as the British Columbia Medical Association, Canadian Association of Aesthetic Medicine, and American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery. Dr. Ebrahim is available for interview upon request.

For more information about Dr. Ebrahim and Afterglow Physician Directed Medicial Aesthetics, visit www.afterglowskincare.ca or www.facebook.com/afterglowmedical.