Acne is viewed as a superficial issue, but adult acne is on the rise, with 35% of people experiencing this condition. This can be linked to multiple factors, such as hormonal changes, chronic stress, and poor diets, but the root cause is simple: inflammation in the skin.

When inflammation persists, it alters follicular biology and increases the frequency of breakouts. But how does that happen, and what can be done to address this issue? This blog will focus on the role of inflammation in acne and how modern treatments like AviClear™ help target it. 

How Inflammation Is Connected to Acne

The body’s natural response to any infection and injury is inflammation. When the pores become clogged with sebum, they trap dirt and acne-causing bacteria within them. These “contaminants” interact with immune receptors, which perceive them as a threat.

When this happens, the body starts producing pro-inflammatory cytokines that increase redness and swelling, which contribute to painful lesions. When inflammation becomes persistent, the bacterial spread increases, which can cause the follicular walls to rupture. As this happens, the inflammatory process continues, leading to more severe forms of acne.

Most of the time, inflammation starts before the pimple even becomes visible. It alters the skin’s cell production and disrupts oil production, leading to even more clogs and immune reactions.

How Modern Treatments Target Inflammation

Modern acne treatments target the inflammation by going directly to its source: the sebaceous glands. Unlike procedures that address the external signs of an active acne breakout, treatments such as AviClear™ use a specialized laser to reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands. 

This, in turn, leads to the following effects: 

• Reduction of Bacterial Load: With the pores being less likely to clog, bacteria no longer have the ideal environment to proliferate. This leads to fewer chances of inflammation and acne breakouts, as the immune system has an easier time clearing them.
• Skin Barrier Strengthening: Acne happens when the skin barrier is weakened enough to allow acne formation. Damaged skin barriers become easily irritated by bacteria and other contaminants, triggering inflammation. AviClear™ can increase collagen production, which in turn improves the skin barrier.  
• Reduction of Sebaceous Gland Activity: Modern treatments like AviClear™ use a seboselective 1726nm wavelength to target sebaceous glands. As the light is absorbed by the water and lipids, a thermal effect is created, which reduces the size of the gland. This decreases sebum production over time, bringing it to normal levels and diminishing inflammation potential.

Modern therapies create a stark contrast with the traditional types, as they don’t involve prescriptions and complex side effects. Even with a regular (but effective) skincare routine, patients can maintain their results over time. 

Additional Methods to Address Acne Inflammation

AviClear™ is a breakthrough procedure that the FDA approved to address acne at its root. However, for long-term improvement and severe cases, certain treatments may serve as effective add-ons. This includes the following: 

• Retinoids: Retinoid medical-grade skincare targets acne by normalizing cell shedding to prevent clogs in the long term. Oral retinoid medication like isotretinoin (Accutane) also shrinks the size of the oil glands, diminishing breakout potential. 
• Anti-Acne Facials: Exfoliating facials remove damaged skin from the outermost layer of the dermis, preventing it from being trapped in the pores. Procedures like DiamondGlow® also use specialized serums that include salicylic acid to reduce inflammation. 
• Laser Therapy: Procedures such as CUTERA® Genesis can kill the acne-causing bacteria while decreasing associated inflammation. This reduces active acne breakouts.

Comprehensive acne plans may include more than one treatment, depending on the severity of the acne. Dr. Ariel Ostad will decide which scheme works best after a consultation. 

Get Your Acne Treatment Today!

Acne keeps appearing when you least expect it, with inflammation being its main driver. Modern treatments target the root of acne, interrupting the inflammatory cycle and reducing the chances of a breakout. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ariel Ostad today to keep your acne under control.

For more information about inflammation and acne, contact Dr. Ariel Ostad at 212-517-7900. He can create an appropriate treatment plan to address acne in the long term. As an alternative, fill out our online contact form, and we will get in touch with you shortly.