Acne treatment in Geneva
Acne is a skin condition characterized by pimples, blackheads, and cysts that form when the hair follicles in the skin become clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria.
Acne can occur on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. It can affect people of any age, but is more common in teenagers due to hormonal changes that occur during puberty.
Acne can have multiple causes, including overproduction of sebum, hormonal changes, bacterial infections, unbalanced diet, high stress, or genetic predisposition. Acne treatment can include topical or oral medications, gentle skin cleansers, and lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
How does acne develop?
Acne develops when the skin's hair follicles (small cavities in which hair grows) become clogged. The sebaceous glands located next to the follicles naturally produce sebum, an oily substance that helps moisturize and protect the skin. However, when sebum production is excessive, it can mix with dead skin cells and clog the follicle.
This plug is called a comedone, which can be open (blackhead) or closed (whitehead). Bacteria on the skin can also enter the clogged follicle and cause inflammation, which can lead to the formation of red pimples and painful cysts.
Acne can be influenced by several factors, including hormones, diet, stress, and genetic predispositions. For example, during puberty, levels of sex hormones like testosterone rise in teens, which can stimulate sebum production and promote acne.
The development of acne can vary depending on the severity of the condition, skin care habits, and each person's individual factors.
Is a bacterium responsible for acne?
A bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is often implicated in the development of acne. This bacteria is normally present on the skin, but when it enters clogged hair follicles, it can multiply and trigger inflammation, contributing to the appearance of painful pimples and cysts. This is why it is important not to touch your face to avoid spreading this bacteria.
However, it is important to note that the presence of P. acnes alone is not enough to cause acne. Other factors such as excessive sebum production, hormonal changes, inflammation and the body's immune response are also implicated in the development of acne.
Are there different forms of acne?
Yes, there are several forms of acne that vary in severity, location, and symptoms. Here are some examples :
Mild acne: Includes comedones (blackheads or whiteheads) and a few small red pimples on the skin. It is usually localized on the face, neck, back or chest.
Moderate Acne: Includes more red, painful pimples, as well as cysts and nodules. It can also lead to scarring.
Nodular acne: Characterized by deep, painful lesions, like nodules. It can lead to permanent scarring.
Acne conglobata: The most severe form of acne which presents as cysts and nodules, often interconnected, which cause significant inflammation and the formation of multiple scars.
Cystic acne: Includes pus-filled cysts, which are often painful and can leave permanent scars.
It is important to see a dermatologist for proper acne diagnosis and treatment, as different forms of acne may require different treatments depending on their severity and type.
What are our acne solutions?
Unique in Geneva, we offer a variety of solutions that you will not find elsewhere. Indeed, each skin and each problem is different. With our 6 product lines and our specialized acne protocol, we have the ability to find a solution adapted to your problem thanks to our cabin treatments, our Home Care solutions and our options.
Cabin treatment
We can help you solve acne problems with our professional skin care tailored to the specific needs of each client. Here are some of the techniques and treatments we can use to help treat acne:
Deep Cleansing: Deep cleansing is often the first treatment skin therapists use to treat acne. This may include deep cleansing the skin with a gentle cleanser, followed by gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells.
Extraction of blackheads: Skin therapists may also use extraction techniques to remove blackheads, such as blackheads and whiteheads, which clog pores and contribute to acne.
AHA, BHA, or PHA Acid Treatments: Beauticians may also use products with salicylic acid or gluconolactone acid to help reduce inflammation and rid the skin of dead cells.
Face masks: Skin therapists may also recommend face masks specifically designed to treat acne, often clay-based, which can help reduce inflammation and remove impurities from the skin.
It is important to note that acne treatment is an individual process and results may vary from person to person. Working with a dermatologist or physician is often recommended for more severe acne cases.
LED light therapy
LED light therapy can help reduce inflammation, kill acne-causing bacteria, and stimulate collagen production, which can help reduce acne scars. LED stimulation can be integrated into our treatments which last 90 minutes, of which 60 minutes are devoted to the treatment and 30 minutes to LED therapy. We also offer sessions of 12 treatments over a period of 4 weeks, i.e. 3 sessions of 30 minutes per week.
The treatment
We adapt your treatment and its frequency according to your situation. For mild acne, monthly treatment with a mild at-home routine is more than enough. For severe acne, we start with one treatment per week for 4 weeks based on salicylic acid (BHA). Then, a period of 4 weeks must elapse before resuming treatment in an institute.
At each appointment, an assessment of the situation is made and the rest of the treatment is defined with you.