The consultation fee for the laser treatment of acne is not insured by OHIP and is $50, which is applied to the cost of your treatments.
Call 416 923 7546 for an appointment.
Acne: An Introduction
Acne is the most common skin condition seen by physicians. It is a disorder of oil-producing glands that surround hair shafts, and usually appears on the face, but also on the back and on the chest. It starts in the teenage years, although ‘adult acne’ is becoming more common, with 12% of women (and 3% of men) over the age of 25 having persistent problems.
There are several myths surrounding acne. It is not caused by diet, nor by any failures in cleanliness (though a proper anti-acne hygiene programme is essential). It is caused by increased oil-production by hair glands, increases in bacterial growth, and by inflammation. There is a strong hereditary component as well.
Mild acne consists of small ‘comedones’, the familiar ‘whiteheads’ and ‘blackheads’. These can develop into inflamed, small red patches (‘papules’) or small ‘pustules’. More severe disease involves larger ‘cysts’.
Current therapies are very effective against acne. The most important thing is to treat early and properly. Acne can be a very embarrassing and distressing disorder, and many young people hesitate before seeking medical help. The physician’s role is to prescribe an individualized treatment programme (every case is different). Feeling better about one’s appearance is vital to self-esteem. It is especially important to treat moderate and severe cases early and effectively, in order to prevent the development of scarring, both of the skin and psychologically.
Treatments for Acne
Please note that we are a laser and light-based clinic. If you are interested only in topical or oral medications, please consult with your family doctor. Please also note that OHIP does not cover any treatment for acne. Payment is the patient’s responsibility.
For mild acne (a few ‘comedones’ to many comedones), treatment is usually topical. This means it consists of lotions, gels, or creams applied to the skin. Typical treatment plans may include medicines to control bacteria on the skin (i.e. benzoyl peroxide) or antibiotics applied onto the skin. There are also several medicines that reduce oil on the skin surface that can be useful.
Mild ‘exfoliants’, medicines that help loosen up dead skin cells on the skin surface are also usually prescribed.
Mild to moderate acne (comedones plus inflamed acne papules/pustules)
In addition to some of the treatments for milder acne, a topical ‘retinoid’, such as Adalapene or Retin-A is often prescribed. These medicines are related to vitamin A, and have very helpful effects in decreasing comedones. They have some side effects, and must be applied properly.
Moderate Acne (many inflamed pustules, some larger cysts, or risk of scarring) Treatment will often include taking antibiotics, like Tetracycline or Minocycline, by mouth. Doses and types of antibiotics often need to be adjusted to get the best results. For female patients oral contraceptives can be prescribes, some of the newer ones are quite mild and are very effective for acne.
Severe Acne
Finally, in severe cases, or with acne that does not respond to other treatments, Isoretinoin (Accutane) is prescribed. This is a very effective drug, but it is also a very serious drug. There are important side effects. Our clinic does not prescribe Accutane.
Therapies offered by the Baywood Clinic
There are a number of other therapies offered by our clinic, that have proven medical effectiveness in the treatment of acne. Please note that none of these therapies are covered by OHIP.
Chemical Peels
Superficial peels (salicylic acid, glycolic acid) can be very helpful in resolving acne. They are scientifically proven treatments that are very cost-effective. Generally 2-6 peels are required over a period of several months.
Laser Treatment
Laser Therapy is the latest and most exciting breakthrough in Acne Therapy. The Vbeam and Smoothbeam lasers are helpful in resolving acne. Treatment is not painful, and usually requires 2-3 twenty minute sessions over a few months.
Home Skincare Program
The Clinic carries a number of products for acne that are only available through a medical office. These include certain cleansers and exfoliant preparations. We only suggest products that have demonstrated clinical results, such as Biomedic.
Blu-U/Levulan Therapy
This exciting new treatment involves placing a medication on the skin (Levulan) for about 1 hour. It is the "activated" by a special Blue Light, or by Laser. The results have been very encouraging for acne sufferers. We were the first clinic in Ontario to offer the Blu-U. Please call for further information.
For more Information on Acne and Scarring Click HERE
