What you need to know about treating your Acne ?

Acne is the term for pimples and complexion problems that occur in many young people and some adults. Approximately 90% of all people will have acne at some point in their lives. Pimples usually occur on the face, but may extend to the neck, chest, upper arms, back and legs. Acne is only a skin problem and does not affect your general health. 

Acne usually begins at puberty and may continue for many years. Teenagers get acne as the body matures and produces hormones that stimulate the sebaceous (oil producing) skin glands to make more sebum, or oil. Sebum lubricates the skin. Sebaceous glands within the hair follicles, or pores, become plugged when oil secretion occurs faster than the oil and skin cells can exit the pores. Sometimes the plug causes the wall of the pore to rupture causing redness, swelling, and pus - in other words a pimple. Plugged oil glands may form blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are not caused by dirt; rather there is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin and thrives on the sebum produced by oil glands. Sometimes, this bacteria multiplies and causes inflammation and acne.

Some facts about acne:

• Acne is built into your genes; it runs in families. 
• In women, acne frequently worsens at the time of menstruation. 
• Your cosmetics should be labeled "oil-free," or "noncomedogenic". 

Adult women often have trouble with acne through middle age. The reason is unknown although hormones play some role. 

Treatment: Oral & Topical Antibiotics Accutane

What Can Be Done? Acne cannot be completely prevented. Although, a careful skin care regimen can help to lessen its severity and the formation of new pimples. Helpful tips: Wash your face twice daily with a gentle skin cleanser to prevent oil build-up. Do not scrub your face with a harsh washcloth or sponge. Scrubbing may actually make it worse by irritating the skin.  Try gentle cleansing with your hands. Topical astringents can be used to remove excess oil after cleansing.  Don't squeeze, scratch, or pick the lesions. This can leave tiny, permanent scars on your face. Prescription treatments are recommended and may take one to two months to see improvement. Medications include Topical Antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin A derivatives. Topical medications are sometimes used in combination with antibiotics for optimal results. Accutane, an oral vitamin A derivative, is a strong, effective acne treatment which "cures" many people. There are numerous side effects to Accutane therapy and proper counseling and monitoring is essential. Acne programs are personally formulated by Dr. Sexton for your particular case of acne. Since most cases do vary and the degree of involvement does change, your program will be modified from time to time. Continued progress depends on making regular evaluations and changes when necessary. Control of acne is an ongoing day-to-day process, and an effective program requires good communication between you and Dr. Sexton.

If you have skin concerns, visit Dr. Sexton's office at 15825 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 203, in Irvine. 

The phone number is 949-679-6900, and he can be seen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. His Web site is www.drsexton.net

IS BOTOX RIGHT FOR YOU?

A Botox® Cosmetic treatment is a simple, non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows that developed over time. One ten-minute treatment - a few tiny injections - relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for up to four months. Botox® Cosmetic has been widely tested. Now, it is approved by the FDA.

The results are dramatic and apparent within days. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of the men and women surveyed rated the improvement in their brow lines as moderate to better. For many, Botox® Cosmetic virtually "erases" these lines.

Unlike surgery, Botox® Cosmetic is fast, simple and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following treatment. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed. With Botox® Cosmetic, other people will know you've done something, but they just won't know what.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BOTOX® COSMETIC

Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer several tiny injections to achieve the best results. No anesthesia is required, although he or she may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting. The entire procedure takes approximately ten minutes. Discomfort is minimal and brief - most patients compare the sensation to bug bite. It is unlikely you will develop significant side effects, although some people develop slight temporary bruising at the injection site, which can easily be covered by makeup. You may resume normal activity immediately.

Within days, you'll see a marked improvement which may continue to improve for as long as a week and should last up to four months.

Botox® Cosmetic relaxes the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause the lines between your brows to form. So you can frown, smile or look surprised - without the furrows, creases and wrinkles.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BOTOX® COSMETIC?

Any image-conscious man or woman who is concerned about the appearance of their frown lines can consider treatment. Botox Cosmetic can be used by people from age 18 to 65.

WHAT EXACTLY IS BOTOX® COSMETIC?

Botox® is a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Very low doses of Botox® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the overactive muscles. The effects of Botox® Cosmetic are usually confined to the injected region; it does not travel throughout the body.

ARE BOTOX® COSMETIC TREATMENTS PAINFUL?

Botox® Cosmetic discomfort is minimal and brief. Your physician may choose to use a local anesthetic cream or ice to minimize this. Once the injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort.

HOW LONG DOES BOTOX® COSMETIC LAST?

Botox® Cosmetic lasts up to four months.

If you are interested in Botox Treatments, please visit Dr. Sexton's office at 15825 Laguna Canyon Road, Suite 203, in Irvine.

The phone number is 949-679-6900, and he can be seen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. His Web site is www.drsexton.net.