Acne & Acne Scars
From why acne starts to how we can smooth out scarring, here is everything you need to know about your skin’s health and how to fix it.
From why acne starts to how we can smooth out scarring, here is everything you need to know about your skin’s health and how to fix it.
Active breakouts and the lingering texture they leave behind require more than over-the-counter spot treatments. True skin clarity involves a multi-layered, clinical approach. By utilizing targeted light therapy, radiofrequency, and controlled resurfacing, we can clear acne-causing bacteria and smooth out post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring.
Acne is a complex inflammatory skin condition, not simply a result of "poor hygiene." According to the Canadian Dermatology Association, acne affects nearly 20% of Canadians at some point in their lives. Breakouts occur when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Key triggers include:
Select your primary concern to see our clinical recommendation:
Treating acne requires addressing both the active infection and the resulting damage to the skin's collagen matrix. Here is how different stages require different interventions:
| Skin Condition Stage | What is Happening? | Recommended Clinical Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Active Acne | Bacterial infection and inflammation inside the pore. | Destroying bacteria and reducing inflammation using broadband light therapy or deep pore cleansing. |
| Post-Inflammatory Erythema/Hyperpigmentation (PIE/PIH) | Flat red or brown marks left after a breakout heals. Vascular or pigment damage. | Fading pigment and redness via targeted IPL or professional grade chemical exfoliation. |
| Atrophic Scarring (Ice pick, Boxcar, Rolling) | Collagen destruction during the inflammatory phase, leaving physical indentations. | Rebuilding the dermal structure with collagen induction therapy or advanced radiofrequency. |
While clinical treatments do the heavy lifting, daily habits dictate long-term success. Protecting your skin barrier is paramount.
We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. At our Victoria and Sidney clinics, we tailor technologies to target your specific stage of acne.
Yes, but the type of treatment matters. While we avoid physical microneedling over active, cystic acne to prevent spreading bacteria, treatments like BBL or customized chemical peels are highly effective at actively drying out and killing the bacteria causing the current breakout.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks) can fade in 3 to 6 months with proper home care and SPF, but clinical treatments can reduce this to a few weeks. True textural scars (indentations) are permanent without clinical intervention, but can see a 50-80% improvement after a series of RF Microneedling or laser resurfacing sessions.
Yes, diet can play a role for some individuals. High-glycemic foods (sugars, refined carbs) and dairy have been shown in some dermatological studies to spike insulin levels, which can trigger an increase in sebum production and inflammation. However, skincare and genetics usually play a larger role.
Patient comfort is our priority. Peels and BBL involve a mild tingling or warming sensation. For more intensive resurfacing treatments for scarring, like Morpheus8 or Sylfirm X, we apply a medical-grade topical numbing cream beforehand to ensure the procedure is highly tolerable.
