Acne affects almost 20% of Canadians, primarily those between 12 and 24 years of age. While everyone develops pimples on their face and body from time to time, people prone to acne can experience severe, painful breakouts.

And these can have a lasting impact on your appearance if they scar. But you can make acne scarring less visible and improve the general quality of your skin with the right personalized facial treatments.

What options do you have? How do they work? Find out as we explore personalized facial treatments for acne and acne scarring.

What Causes Acne?

Acne occurs when hair follicles (tiny holes in the skin) in one or more areas become clogged. It starts with sebum; the oil produced by tiny sebaceous glands, which are close to the skin’s surface and attached to hair follicles.

Sebum is a natural lubricant that prevents the hair and skin from becoming more dry than it should. However, glands may release an excessive amount of sebum, which mixes with dead skin cells and accumulates in hair follicles.

Clogged follicles near to the skin’s surface begin to protrude, which we see as whiteheads. Blocked hair follicles that are open, though, become blackheads. Follicles may also be infected by bacteria, leading to pustules or cysts.

Increasing testosterone levels may trigger excessive sebum production, too, particularly during puberty and adolescence.

Other potential causes include:

• Menstruating
• Foods (e.g. dairy)
• Medications
• Squeezing pimples
• Cosmetic products

Additionally, people may be more likely to develop acne if one or both of their parents have been affected.

What Causes Acne Scars?

Not everyone who experiences acne will be left with acne scars, but it’s common nonetheless.

Scarring is most likely to occur when severe pimples, such as hard nodules, pop and damage surrounding skin. Nodules and cysts may also affect the skin more deeply than less-severe pimples, ultimately damaging it enough to leave scars.

However, picking or squeezing pimples can also lead to acne scarring.

Personalized Treatments for Acne Scars

Facial treatments performed by trained professionals can help to reduce the visibility of acne scars and make your skin look healthier overall. During personalized facials, you will receive a treatment designed to address one or more specific issues affecting your skin.

At Astra Medicare, we utilize modern technology - Morpheous8 by InMode to treat acne scars, as well as wide variety of other skin conditions. Morpheus8 delivers the deepest fractional treatments available, penetrating subdermal tissue up to 8mm (7mm + 1mm thermal profile). It is non-invasive and uses two-stage radiofrequency for best results.

As acne is such a common condition, there are various suitable personalized facial treatments to choose from. We’ll explore seven examples below:

Acne Basic S.O.S.

The Acne Basic S.O.S. facial is a purifying treatment. It starts with a refreshing deep cleanse to remove impurities and balance the skin while soothing inflammation.

High-frequency technology is also used to provide more oxygen to the skin, helping to treat acne and improve the skin’s texture. Your skin should feel smoother and healthier after this treatment.

Astra Glow Treatment

The Astra Glow Treatment is designed to improve skin prone to acne, leaving it looking and feeling better. It can also reduce hyperpigmentation (the formation of dark patches on skin) and minimize the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.

The Perfect Derma Peel

The Perfect Derma Peel is a popular facial treatment created to solve a number of skin issues, from acne scarring to sun spots. It contains highly effective ingredients, including kojic acid, TCA, salicylic acid, vitamin C, glutathione, and phenol.

The Perfect Derma Peel may also be customized to suit everyone, regardless of skin type or ethnicity. Results are typically visible one week after the treatment.

Micro-Needling Lite Elite

Micro-Needling Lite Elite can improve the appearance of acne scars, decrease the size of large pores, and address hyperpigmentation.

Micro-needling is a non-surgical procedure, during which very fine needles prick skin in specific areas of the face. This treatment promotes the production of new skin tissue and collagen to cultivate firmer, plumper, smoother skin. LED therapy will be added to maximize the quality of the treatment results.

Pluryal Recover Me

Pluryal Recover Me can repair skin and make treated areas clearer, healthier, and brighter. Micro-needling and LED therapy are used with serums to achieve the best results. It can have a positive impact on acne and help reduce acne scarring.

Therapeutical Men’s Retreat

A treatment for men who want to address acne scarring and enhance the appearance of their skin. It can also soothe inflammation and razor irritation, which may be an issue if you shave daily.

During this treatment, a deep cleanse, exfoliation, and extractions will leave the skin looking healthier. Extractions involve clearing clogged pores, which can prevent breakouts and (ultimately) scarring.

A massage is also included, along with a mask application.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating treatment utilizing a vacuum and small crystals that remove dead skin cells, which are then sucked up into the vacuum. The treatment provider will move a handheld device over your face to gently remove the skin’s top layer.

This facial treatment can improve the appearance of acne and acne scars, make your face look more refreshed, and even reduce the visibility of fine lines.

Choosing the Right Personalized Facial Treatment for Your Acne

If you have never tried a facial or any other treatment designed to help ease acne and acne scarring, you may feel unsure which is right for you.

That’s why an expert team and in-depth consultations are so important. You will be able to discuss your acne, scarring, and general skin issues with your treatment provider first.

They will answer your questions, examine your skin, and help you choose the most effective facial treatment for your acne.

Book Your Personalized Facial Treatment at Astra Medicare

If acne or acne scars are a problem for you, our team is here to provide you with effective personalized facial treatments. We’ll discuss your skin, acne, scarring, and any other issues you want to address in detail.

We can also provide a range of other treatments for improving your skin’s appearance, texture, and tone. Choose from our Glutathione IV treatment, mesotherapy, PRP, and more.

Get in touch with Astra Medicare’s team today to schedule your consultation for a professional, relaxing personalized facial treatment!

Acne: Types, Causes, and Effective Treatments for Clearer Skin

Acne affects around 20% of Canadians (5.6 million), according to the Canadian Dermatology Association. People tend to develop this condition between the ages of 12 and 24, though it may occur at any stage of life. It usually forms on the face, though it’s common on the back, chest, and shoulders too.

Acne can be a painful, severe, and stubborn condition, but various treatments are available. It may lead to scarring in some cases, but this can be treated too. However, trying to find the right treatment for your skin can be difficult — but the Astra Medicare team is dedicated to helping you make the best choice.

Join us as we take a look at what causes acne, the different types, how you can treat acne, and how to deal with scarring safely.

What Causes Acne?

Acne occurs when hair follicles or pores become clogged by a combination of dead skin cells and sebum, a natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands. This oil moisturizes the skin to prevent it from becoming too dry, but it can build up over time. As a result, dead skin cells will clog together inside tiny openings in the skin.

The following can also contribute to the development of acne:

• Bacteria

• Ingrown hairs

• Excess sebum (oil) production

• Genetics

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

• Pregnancy

• Periods

• Hormones

The latter cause is one of the main reasons why acne is closely linked with teenagers, as hormones fluctuate throughout this period.

What are the Different Types of Acne?

There are two main types of acne: inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Doctors and dermatologists will distinguish one from the other based on how inflamed the breakouts appear.

Both types of acne can involve:

• Blackheads: Open clogged pores.

• Whiteheads: Closed clogged pores.

• Pustules: Pimples with pus-filled tips.

• Cysts: Painful lumps beneath the skin filled with pus.

• Nodules: Large, hard, painful lumps beneath the skin.

• Papules: Small, red bumps that may feel tender.

The most severe cases of acne usually involve cysts and nodules.

Inflammatory Acne

Inflammatory acne occurs when follicles or pores are clogged with bacteria and develop into papules, pustules, or cysts. The immune system targets the bacteria and tries to destroy it, which is why skin in the affected area(s) becomes swollen and red.

The severity of inflammatory acne varies from tiny bumps to substantial cysts that may only be removed through surgery. It’s the more severe of the two types, and may lead to pitting or scarring.

Non-inflammatory Acne

Non-inflammatory acne refers to clogged follicles or pores that become infected by bacteria. This leads to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. However, non-inflammatory acne generally won’t cause discomfort or swelling.

What Creates Acne Scarring and How Can You Avoid It?

Acne can create brown or red marks on the skin, while more severe cases may lead to permanent scarring when nodules or cysts pop and the affected tissue is destroyed. Scars will remain visible even when the skin heals.

However, you may create acne scars if you squeeze or pick at your spots. It can be difficult to resist the urge to do so, especially when acne becomes painful, but popping pimples may leave an undesirable trace in your skin for decades. You may cover them up with make-up (such as foundation), or you might opt for treatment to reduce the visibility of scars on your face instead.

What Treatments are Available for Acne and Acne Scarring?

You can try various facial treatments to help fight acne and improve the appearance of acne scarring. People often try the following to combat inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne:

• Antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin, doxycycline)

• Steroid injections

• Contraceptive pills (to treat acne caused by hormone fluctuations)

• Draining or extraction of severe cysts

Four of the treatments available at Astra Medicare are:

The Perfect Derma Peel

The Perfect Derma Peel is a popular treatment for acne scarring. This chemical peel is packed with powerful ingredients including:

• Kojic Acid

• Salicylic Acid

• Glutathione

• TCA

• Retinoic Acid

• Vitamin C

• Phenol

The Perfect Derma Peel can be customized to suit each patient’s personal needs.

Clear + Brilliant

Clear + Brilliant can improve the appearance of tissue affected by acne and make scarring less visible. This is a skin treatment effective enough to combat common signs of aging, either after or before they appear. The laser forms microscopic treatment zones in the skin’s upper layers, and encourages healthy tissue to replace damaged skin. Clear + Brilliant

This treatment is administered through multiple sessions lasting between 15 and 20 minutes each (on average). It can make skin look healthier and more youthful.

Glutathione IV Treatment

Our Glutathione IV treatment injects glutathione directly into the bloodstream. Glutathione is a natural antioxidant that manages production of melanin, which creates the skin’s pigment. A glutathione boost can promote brighter skin, and areas affected by acne scarring should look healthier overall.

Purifying Acne Facial

Astra Medicare’s Purifying Acne Facial is ideal for acne-prone skin. It helps bring impurities to the surface of the skin to allow for easier removal. Our specialists only use products designed for sensitive skin, all containing natural, anti-acne ingredients.

This facial can cultivate a clear complexion and fight against acne that proves particularly stubborn.

How Can You Book Your Consultation for Acne Treatment?

The Perfect Derma Peel, Clear + Brilliant, the Purifying Acne Facial, and Glutathione IV treatments are available at Astra Medicare today. Any of these will help acne and acne scarring in specific ways, but should all leave your skin looking better than ever.

Our professional team will examine your skin and discuss your needs in detail during a free consultation. This is a valuable opportunity to understand how we can help your acne, how we can treat scarring, and how we can make your skin look younger.

We can also recommend other facial treatments to improve the health and appearance of your skin, even after your acne subsides. Contact Astra Medicare now to schedule your consultation and discover the right treatment for your acne.

A Guide to Acne Scars at Any Age

Acne is incredibly common, affecting an estimated 85 percent of people between 12 and 24 years of age. However, while it’s easy to assume that acne will clear up by the time you’re well out of adolescence, it can affect adults at any age too.

And the scars it leaves behind may become a persistent problem.

Fortunately, modern techniques can treat acne scarring effectively. Certain technologies have the power to reduce its visibility and cultivate clearer, smoother skin.

But what causes acne? What types of acne scarring affect adults? And what treatments are available?

What causes acne?

Acne occurs when pores or hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and oil (produced naturally by the body). The face, forehead, upper back, chest, and shoulders may all be affected.

Why these areas? Because these have the most sebaceous (oil) glands, which remove old skin cells and lubricate the skin.

This causes various types of breakout, depending on the type of blockage affecting the pores or follicles. These include:

• Pimples (or pustules): spots with pus at the tips

• Nodules: big, hard bumps beneath the skin

• Papules: smaller bumps which may be tender

• Cystic lesions: uncomfortable bumps beneath the skin, filled with pus

• Whiteheads: blocked pores that remain closed

• Blackheads: blocked pores that remain open

One or more of the following can trigger acne in people at any age:

Hormonal fluctuations

This is a common cause of acne in people going through puberty. A particular type of hormone, androgens, increases in males and females, which causes the sebaceous glands to grow bigger.

These produce more sebum (oil) — and too much can cause pores and follicles to become clogged. Adults may experience acne breakouts as their hormones fluctuate with age or certain physical changes, such as pregnancy.

Eating habits

It’s believed that certain foods can contribute to, and exacerbate, acne. These include those high in refined carbohydrates (such as bread and white rice), dairy products, and junk food.

High stress

Stress can make acne worse, though it’s not believed to be a cause.

Medications

Drugs which contain testosterone, corticosteroids, and lithium may all contribute to acne.

Genetics

A family history of acne could lead to acne, particularly if both parents had it.

What causes acne scarring?

Acne leaves two types of traces in its wake: red or brown marks, and scars.

The former type of trace will usually improve and become less visible over time, with no need for treatment.

But acne scars are different. These are permanent changes to skin resulting from severe forms of the condition, in which acne cysts or nodules burst and destroy tissue. This remains unreplaced, even after healing, and leaves a clear indentation in the skin.

This is likely to become visible scarring that stays with the individual affected for the rest of their life.

Acne scars may also be caused by picking and squeezing pimples. It’s crucial that you keep your hands away from affected areas as much as you can: if you give in to the temptation to try to pop your spots, especially painful ones, you could leave your skin in worse condition for years to come.

People affected by acne scars may feel self-conscious, particularly in extreme cases. Make-up can help to conceal it as a temporary solution, though certain treatments are designed to reduce the visibility of acne scarring permanently.

What types of acne scars do I have?

There are multiple types of acne scarring:

Ice pick

Ice pick acne scars are small holes deep in the skin’s surface. As the name suggests, affected areas will look as if they have been pricked with a narrow-tipped instrument.

Boxcar

Boxcar scars have a shallow to medium depth, and tend to occur on the temples or cheeks. This type of acne scarring often responds well to treatment.

Rolling

Rolling scars look like depressions or dips, so the skin appears uneven. This is the result of scar tissue forming beneath the surface.

A skincare specialist will be able to identify the type of scarring affecting you following a close examination.

What treatments are available for acne scars?

Astra Medicare’s team offers multiple treatments to minimize the visibility of acne scars:

Clear + Brilliant

Clear + Brilliant is an innovative laser treatment that rejuvenates the skin from the inside out. It forms microscopic treatment zones in the skin’s upper layers and replaces damaged cells with healthy ones. This leaves skin looking younger and healthier overall.

As Clear + Brilliant reduces the size of pores and balances pigmentation, it can improve the appearance of acne scarring on the face.

The Perfect Derma Peel

The Perfect Derma Peel is packed with such powerful ingredients as:

• Phenol

• Vitamin C

• Glutathione

• Kojic Acid

• TCA

• Retinoic Acid

• Salicylic Acid

This is formulated to treat a number of skin disorders, including acne scars. The skin will be visibly smoother, refreshed, and healthier overall.

Results are typically noticeable after just one week, but this can vary from one patient to another.

Glutathione IV treatment

Glutathione is a natural antioxidant present in the human body, and it’s crucial for regulating the production of melanin (which gives skin its color).

Introducing extra glutathione to the bloodstream intravenously via Glutathione IV therapy can cause the skin to become brighter and healthier.

This may help to improve the appearance of areas affected by acne scarring and boost the general health of your skin.

How can I book a consultation for acne scar treatment?

Astra Medicare’s team is here to help treat your acne scars through one of our cutting-edge treatments. We’ll examine your skin thoroughly to determine the right option for you, based on the condition of your acne and/or scarring.

We’ll also recommend any other treatments we believe will benefit your skin and health overall. For example, Astramed Skincare products are designed to cultivate beautiful, clear skin with lasting results.

If you’re ready to start your journey to healthier skin, book your consultation with one of our experienced skincare experts in Brampton now!

Conquer Your Fear of Skin Disorders in 3 Simple Steps

Skin disorders can be difficult to live with, to say the least. And they affect millions of Canadians every year:

• 1 million Canadians have psoriasis
• 2 million Canadians have rosacea
• 20 percent of Canadians have acne

These (and numerous other) skin disorders have the potential to transform your appearance in drastic and unwelcome ways, particularly when they affect the face.

Sadly, people will notice issues (rashes, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, acne breakouts, severe dry skin, etc.) on your face immediately. This could leave you feeling self-conscious and reluctant to interact with people, even those you know well.

But if you’re worried about developing certain skin disorders, there are steps you can take to improve your skin’s condition and cultivate a healthier appearance overall. And below, we’ll look at three simple options with the power to achieve incredible results.

Clear + Brilliant

Astra Medicare has helped hundreds of patients with the revolutionary Clear + Brilliant treatment. And it may just work wonders for you too.

One of our experienced skincare specialists will apply a gentle laser to target areas on the face. This creates microscopic treatment zones in the skin’s upper layers, and causes healthy tissue to replace damaged skin.

Clear + Brilliant uses the patented Intelligent Optical Tracking technology: this ensures proper skin contact to achieve uniform application to target areas.

This treatment utilizes innovative technology but is still amazingly simple. A single Clear + Brilliant session will last just 15 to 20 minutes and will leave you with skin that looks both healthier and younger.

We’ve found that patients report an improvement in the overall appearance of their skin, specifically its texture and tone. The appearance of pores and fine lines can also be improved significantly.

Clear + Brilliant is generally recommended as a treatment to combat the signs of aging and prevent the development of fine lines/wrinkles. However, its ability to reduce the size of pores means it may help to enhance the appearance of skin affected by acne, particularly the scarring left in its wake.

Clear + Brilliant is also recommended for patients living with hyperpigmentation. This is a common condition manifesting as dark patches across the skin, which may occur on the face, the arms, or other areas of the body.

Hyperpigmentation can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• excess melanin production resulting from prolonged exposure to sunlight (as UV radiation stimulates melanin production)
• hormone fluctuations during pregnancy, which may affect melanin production
• taking certain medications

When hyperpigmentation develops, the skin will start to look significantly different and could cause concern. But multiple Clear + Brilliant sessions may help to reduce the visibility of dark patches and create a more balanced skin tone.

Glutathione IV therapy

IV therapy has become a popular type of treatment in recent years, even among A-list stars like Madonna and Brad Pitt.

It’s a fantastic way to introduce nutrients and antioxidants into the body without taking oral supplements. Why?

Because administering the formulas intravenously enables them to bypass the gastrointestinal system and enter the bloodstream directly. Oral supplements and foods, even those packed with vitamins and minerals, can be stripped of much of their good stuff as they’re digested.

A wide range of IV therapy treatments are available, but one of the most effective to help you conquer your fear of skin disorders is Astra Medicare’s Glutathione IV option.

This is formulated to help your skin become lighter, brighter, and healthier overall. It’s an ideal solution if you have an uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation, whether caused by hormonal fluctuations or sun damage.

Glutathione is an antioxidant that’s naturally present in the human body, that inhibits the production of melanin. As melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation, too much of it can create dark patches on the face and elsewhere, but introducing extra glutathione to the body will help to create a more balanced skin tone.

Our Glutathione IV therapy may also help to improve the appearance of blemishes and freckles, as well as reducing the visibility of liver spots. If you spend a lot of time outdoors and worry about developing hyperpigmentation, a course of glutathione IV therapy sessions could leave you with healthier, clearer, brighter skin overall.

The Perfect Derma Peel

The next step in conquering your fear of skin disorders is the Perfect Derma Peel.

This amazing treatment includes numerous powerful ingredients, such as:

• TCA
• Kojic Acid
• Phenol
• Vitamin C
• Glutathione
• Salicylic Acid
• Retinoic Acid

We recommend the Perfect Derma Peel for a range of skin conditions and disorders. It’s known to help improve the appearance of acne scars, reduce the visibility of sun spots, and revitalize a dull, aging complexion brilliantly. It’s effective for all ethnicities and skin types.

The Perfect Derma Peel is almost entirely painless: there’s no skin preparation required ahead of the treatment, and little downtime is required. It’s also the only peel featuring glutathione.

This treatment can reduce or eliminate hyperpigmentation, melasma (a skin disorder similar to hyperpigmentation but caused by hormonal changes rather than sun exposure), and sun damage. It can leave acne scars less visible and reduce the appearance of pore size.

While the Perfect Derma Peel is effective at treating skin disorders, it also works to boost the overall texture and tone of your skin.

It stimulates collagen production to encourage more youthful, firmer skin too.

The Perfect Derma Peel could help you to fend off common signs of aging and minimize the visibility of specific skin disorders you may be living with.

How can you start taking these steps to combat skin disorders?

If you have acne, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, blemishes, or any other skin disorder, or you’re afraid of developing them, these three straightforward treatments may be just what you need.

Astra Medicare’s dedicated team will assess your skin and discuss your goals during your pre-treatment consultation. This is vital to understand the condition of your skin, and to ensure we provide you with the most effective treatment to achieve the best results.

Book your consultation with Astra Medicare’s experts now!

Everything you need to know about Facial Acne

Facial acnecan bevery annoying and always have a tendency of popping out when you have to be at your very best. You will get facial acnejust before the big date, graduation or any other big day in your events calendar.

It is so unfortunate that we live in a generation where people will judge you based on how you look. If you have acnethere is a high chance that people will judge you wrongly.

What are acne?

Acne is a skin condition that develops when hair follicles plug with oil and dead skin cells.

Facial acnecan lower someone’s self-esteem. This shouldn’t be the case. Over 80% of people around the globe have had skin acneat some point in their lives. What makesthe difference are the measures you take in attempts to get rid of the acne.

If you want these annoying pimples you should seekthe services of professionals. At Astra MediSpa we have professional dermatologists who will see to it that you have a smooth and soft skin once again.

Types of acne

• Acne Vulgaris- these types of acneare mostly genetic and inherited. They are caused by dead skin cells clogging the pores.
• Comedonal acne- comedonalacnearecharacterized by skin colored bumps called papules and arecaused by debris and oils blocking the pores.
• Hormonal acne- most teenagers develop pimples and this is mostly due to the hormonal changes in their body. Some women also develop acneduring certain stages of their menstrual cycle. These hormones trigger excess secretion of facial oil. The oil clogs the pores and as a result,pimples develop.
• Inflammatory acne- These types of acneare very painful and are characterized by red bumps and pustules.
• Cystic acne- these are the most severe type of acneand are caused by bacterial infections.

Causes of facial acne

It is clear that most people don’t know what causes facial acne. Well,worry no more. The following is a list of the major cause facial acne.

Dead skin- dead skin is the major cause of facial acnein adults. If the dead skin isn’t shed off in time it might pile up and as a result blocksthe pores.

Allergens- some people have a sensitive skin that reactswhen exposed to minor allergens.

Bacteria- this mainly happens if you don’t observe hygiene. This will cause bacteria to pile up in pores as leading to painful facial acne

Hormones- this mainly occurs inteenagers and women. Some hormones trigger the secretion of excess oil. The oil ends up blocking the poles leading to acne.

Purifying acne facial at Astra MediSpa

At Astra MediSpa we will help you get back your smooth and soft skin. We will deep cleanse your face bringing the impurities to the skin surface for easy and gentle removal. Give us a callor visit our contact pageto book an appointment.