WHAT IS A PIMPLE?

Acne Vulgaris
is the term for pimples and complexion problems that trouble many young people. Pimples occur mainly on the face, but they may often involve the neck, chest, back, and upper arms. Acne is only a skin problem and has nothing to do with your general health.

What causes acne? 
Acne is caused by the oil glands in the skin breaking open. At adolescence, the oil glands in the skin start producing an oily material called sebum. Sebum is discharged under the skin surface. Sometimes the wall of the oil gland breaks and spills the sebum within the skin. The sebum irritates the skin tissues and causes redness and swelling, in other words, a pimple. Complicating this picture are plugged oil glands. These are commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are not caused by dirt. Removing blackheads will prevent pimples. Topical medicines that contain vitamin A products (like Retin-A, Differin, and Tazorac) are agents that are particularly effective in treating whiteheads and blackheads. The medical term for blackheads is open comedones and the medical term for whiteheads is closed comedones. In mild acne, only a few oil glands break open. In severe acne, many break open. How easily oil glands do this seems to be the result of genetics. Acne runs in families. It is impossible to prevent acne, since there is no way to change the way oil glands act in the skin and what the tendency is to form clogged pores.

Age and acne.
Acne usually begins in a mild form in the teen years. It gradually worsens and after a time improves. How long you have acne is impossible to predict. Acne gets worse and improves by itself. There is usually no explanation for these ups and downs. Do not assume that because your acne gets worse you have done something wrong. And, if you acne gets better briefly, it may not have happened because of anything you have done recently. In women, acne frequently worsens about the time of their menstrual cycle.

Skin hygiene.
Your face should be washed with a gentle nondetergent cleansing bar and plain water only as much as you need to keep it clean. Too much washing and scrubbing of the skin can cause irritation and make the acne situation much worse. Although some think cleanliness may be next to godliness, it does not help acne. Do not pick, squeeze, or otherwise manipulate your pimples, as this can cause long-term scars.

Diet and acne.
Foods do not cause acne. Many persons try all sorts of diets and are frustrated because these do not help. In some people, certain foods may make acne worse. The most common foods are chocolate, nuts, and cola drinks. A few people who drink large quantities of milk (more than one quart per day) may find that this worsens their acne. These trigger factors are rare; however, if you notice any of these foods tend to make your acne worse, you can avoid your personal acne triggers. Aggravation of acne by food varies from person to person. Many patients can eat chocolate without trouble, while others find that even a few pieces of chocolate will produce new pimples. As previously mentioned, if you notice there are certain foods that make your acne condition worse, certainly, avoid these.

STRESS and acne.
Acne is not caused by STRESS and worry, but may become worse under stress, such as examinations or pressure at Work. These are usually mild, temporary flare-ups. Some persons react to stress by picking, squeezing, or rubbing their pimples, and this will certainly not help and only make the condition worse.

Treatment:
There are many excellent treatments for acne. DETAILS SEE BELOW

PIMPLE SCAR REDUCTION BY PIXEL ERBIUM YAG LASER

NAEVUS REMOVAL

1. What Is Fractional CO2 Laser?

Fractional CO2 laser is a type of skin treatment used by dermatologists or physicians to reduce the appearance of acne scars, deep wrinkles, and other skin irregularities. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses laser, specially made of carbon dioxide, to remove the outer layers of damaged skin.

2. What Does Fractional CO2 Laser Treat?

Fractional CO2 laser is commonly used to treat acne scars. However, it can also tend to a wide range of skin problems such as:

Age spots

Crow’s feet

Enlarged oil glands (especially around the nose)

Fine lines and wrinkles

Hyperpigmentation

Sagging skin

Sun damage

Uneven skin tone

Warts

The procedure is often done to the face, but the neck, hands, and arms are just a few of the areas that the laser could treat.

3. Who Should Get Fractional CO2 Laser?

Fractional CO2 laser is ideal for people who like to minimize the appearance of acne scarring, fine lines, pigmentation, and other skin conditions listed above. Dermatologists also recommend undergoing the procedure if you suffer from a non-responsive skin after a bad facelift.

4. Who Should Avoid Fractional CO2 Laser?

Unfortunately, the fractional CO2 laser is not for everyone. Individuals with extensive breakouts, open wounds, or any infections on the face are advised to stay away from this skin procedure. People who take oral isotretinoin should also avoid the procedure as it poses a risk for health and safety.
If you have chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes), you should also take extra caution and make it a point to consult a doctor or dermatologist first.
Having said all of these things, it’s vital that you schedule a consultation with a dermatologist in order for them to assess whether you are qualified for the procedure or not.

5. How Is The Fractional CO2 Laser Procedure Done?

The fractional CO2 laser is often done by applying a local anesthetic cream to the problem area 30 to 45 minutes prior. The procedure itself lasts for only 15 to 20 minutes.
It uses short-pulsed light energy (known as ultra pulse) that is continuously blasted through a scanning pattern in order to remove thin, outer layers of damaged skin.
Once the dead skin cells are eliminated,  the procedure activates the production of multiple microthermal zones that reaches deep into the skin. Through this, it can stimulate your body’s natural healing process and boost collagen production. This ultimately replaces the old, damaged cells with new, healthy skin.

6. What Do I Need To Do Before Fractional CO2 Laser?

Before undergoing a fractional CO2 laser procedure, it’s recommended to follow these pre-treatment rules.

Don’t use products containing retinoids as it can affect the end results.

Avoid excessive sun exposure 2 weeks prior to the laser treatment.

Stop taking medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and even vitamin E as this can lead to prolonged clotting.

Consult your dermatologist to find out if you’re a good candidate for the fractional CO2 laser treatment.

7. Is There Any Downtime?

Thanks to the fractional technology used during the procedure, healthy tissues underneath the skin can still be found just in between the microthermal zones where heat was applied. These healthy tissues are able to provide the cells and proteins required to quickly heal the skin.
As a result, patients only have to undergo shorter recovery periods—lasting for 5 to 7 days.

8. Does Fractional CO2 Laser Hurt?

Most patients would find the pain minimal and often describe the sensation similar to prickling. However, since the procedure involves applying anesthesia to the area, your face would be numb which ensures a painless treatment.

9. Are There Any Side Effects?

Since the fractional CO2 laser procedure introduces heat (through the laser) into the skin, patients may find some redness or swelling in the treated area. Some may even experience discomfort and scabs.
In rare and worst cases, you may see the following complications after the skin treatment:

Prolonged erythema – Redness is expected after the fractional CO2 laser procedure but it usually heals within three to four days. If redness hasn’t ceased after a month, you might be suffering from prolonged erythema.

Hyperpigmentation – Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is most commonly experienced by patients with darker skin. It usually occurs after an injury or inflammation of the skin.

Infections – Getting bacterial infections is rare with only a 0.1% chance in all treated cases. However, it’s still best to properly identify them and their treatments to avoid further complications.

Fortunately, the risk of getting these side effects could be minimized and completely eliminated by following some post-care tips that dermatologists recommend.

10. What Should I Do After Fractional CO2 Laser Procedure?

After the fractional CO2 laser procedure, you should apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Do make sure to also use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer twice a day and avoid any harsh products. It’s best to limit the use of makeup products as well because they can irritate the skin even more.
To ease the swelling around your face, you can try putting an ice pack or compress to the treated area in the first 24 to 48 hours after the fractional CO2 laser treatment. Apply ointment as necessary in order to prevent scabs from forming. Lastly, you may need to adjust your daily activities and avoid situations, such as swimming and workouts, where you can get an infection.
12. Are The Results Of The Fractional CO2 Laser Instantaneous?

The results of the skin treatment will depend on the problem you are targeting. For instance, if you’d like to get rid of hyperpigmentation, you can instantly see results in only one session. However, when eliminating acne scars and fine lines, it may take a while for the results to show up.

13. Do I Need To Undergo Multiple Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments?

Again, depending on the severity of your skin condition, you may need to undergo about one to three sessions. These treatments can be done at four to six-weekly intervals.