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Acne & Acne Scarring

Effective Acne Treatments

Acne is one of the most frustrating of common skin conditions that affects all ages and skin types. It can be caused by hormones, bacteria, medications, or skin conditions, but all result in the congestion and inflammation of hair follicles resulting in lesions that include whiteheads, blackheads, comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Halcyon Cosmetic Studio is in Port Moody, although acne sufferers come to us from Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and beyond for acne treatments customized to treat their specific acne issues.

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At Halcyon Cosmetic Studio our licensed, experienced medical aestheticians also see acne caused by over-treatment of skin. Yes, stripping the skin of its natural oils, and disrupting its protective barrier can cause dehydration resulting in overcompensation of excessive oil production.

Along with the pain and embarrassment of acne comes the potential for complications to last years beyond the active lesions. These include hyperpigmentation (red or brown discolouration), hypopigmentation (permanent absence of pigment, often due to picking), and permanent scars ranging from mild to very serious, lumps and divots.

At Halcyon Cosmetic Studio we prefer to avoid systemic treatments whenever possible but understand that controlling and preventing lesions before they result in scar tissue is critical. We provide customized treatments that aim to restore your skin and your confidence with little, to no, downtime.

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    Suggested Treatments

    We suggest the following skin treatments:

    Occasional Acne – Where Do I Start?

    Shorten outbreaks and avoid complications including infection, long-term discolouration, and potential scar formation, while revealing fresh, glowing skin.

    • Basic Custom Facial
      If you have no idea where to start, are between other services, or have active acne lesions that require a little TLC, this basic preventative and maintenance facial is gentle, great for all ages and skin types, and appropriate any time of year.
    • Acne Facial
      If active lesions are present, a thorough cleanse and steam is followed by safe, professional extractions and medical-grade products to calm inflammation, replace moisture, and support the skin barrier.
    • Chemical Peel Facial
      During, or just before active lesions are present, a professional cleanse is followed by chemical peel exfoliation to remove buildup of debris and boost cellular turnover, safe extractions are performed if required, and medical-grade products are selected to calm inflammation, replace moisture, and support the skin barrier.
    • IPL Photo Facial
      During, or just before active lesions, if typical skin response involves inflammation, redness or discolouration, IPL will mitigate these symptoms while reducing bacteria to control your outbreak. Custom filters and treatment parameters are selected to address your specific concerns.
    • Medical-Grade Products
      While SkinCeuticals Blemish & Age is an effective daily serum to prevent long-term acne complications, it’s also great to have on hand as a spot treatment for occasional blemishes.

    Frequent Acne – What Can I Do?

    Individual treatments can be beneficial in the short term, but consistency and commitment are required to effect long term change and avoid further complications.

    • Acne Facial Package
      An Acne Facial package is ideal to focus on frequent lesions that require extractions. Extractions must be done safely to prevent long-term scarring and discolouration.
    • Chemical Peel Facial Package
      A Chemical Peel Facial package is perfect to focus on frequent acne caused by congestion and compromised cellular turnover but does not necessarily require significant extractions.
    • IPL Photo Facial Package
      If frequent acne results in inflammation, redness, and discolouration, a package of focussed IPLs will control these symptoms, while minimizing proliferation of bacteria to prevent further lesions.

    BONUS: To maximize results of all 3 packages above, receive 10% off skincare on the day of each treatment.

    Severe, Cystic Acne

    Severe, cystic acne usually does not fully respond to topical treatments and requires a systemic approach. Speak to our medical doctor to review the benefits and risks of:

    • Localized Steroid Injection – for particularly painful cyst
    • Topical or Oral Antibiotics – whether a course of low-dose antibiotics might work for you
    • Oral Isotretinoin – whether a course of prescription medication is right for you

    Acne Treatments FAQ

    If I book a product consultation, will I experience pressure to purchase products beyond my budget?

    No, no, and no. We despise high pressure sales and are here to provide you with accurate information to make an informed decision. A long-term relationship based on trust and honest, ethical, care is far more important to us than one quick sale.

    How can I justify the price of medical-grade skincare products over drugstore brands?

    Medical-grade products do not just talk the talk, they are backed by published, peer-reviewed, scientific studies that prove their efficacy. There is a cost associated with these studies, as well as with formulating products with effective, active ingredients. The cost of treatments required for permanent discolouration or scarring, not to mention the risks associated with these treatments, should also be considered.

    What is a Chemical Peel?

    A chemical peel is the application of an acidic solution to your skin. Its purpose is to break down the “glue” that binds cells of the top layer(s) together. This allows for more effective exfoliation and minimizes the number of loose cells available to contribute to congestion and inflammation

    Are all Chemical Peels the same?

    No. Products described as chemical peels can be purchased over the counter but differ greatly from professional, medical grade peels. There are also various types of peels, all selected to address your specific concerns.

    What is IPL

    IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. It is the application of filtered wavelengths of light that are absorbed by certain targets in skin. IPL is the “gold standard” for treating both redness and pigmented lesions with minimal to no downtime.

    Are all IPL treatments the same?

    No. IPLs vary from table-top spa machines worth $2500 to medical-grade equipment worth well over $100,000. As important as the equipment itself though, is your provider’s education and experience with the equipment. IPL treatments settings must push towards optimal results while still managing the health and safety of your skin. You may find repeated treatments to slowly get more aggressive as your practitioner becomes more familiar with your skin.

    Are there contraindications to these services?

    Yes. We will ask you for a full history including current and past skincare products and medications. We may postpone your treatment if you are using skincare with exfoliating ingredients, are new to Retinol, have had dermal filler or wrinkle injections in the previous 2 weeks, or if you have recently taken certain prescription medications.

    Do you ever refuse to do an acne treatment?

    Yes. There are occasions where client expectations are not realistic or where we choose not to proceed for other reasons.

    What payment methods do you accept?

    We accept cash, debit, credit cards.

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