TheraClear for Acne
Acne treatment with TheraClear
Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and sometimes bacteria. Acne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne. It affects self-esteem, creates anxiety and embarrassment and negatively affects quality of life. The physical impact of acne includes discomfort and disfigurement, hyperpigmentation, and permanent scarring.
Acne is challenging to treat. A combination of topical and oral medications may successfully reduce acne, but these take time to work and side effects are common. Coastal Skin and Eye Institute is pleased to offer TheraClearX to our patients.
What is TheraClear?
It is a non-invasive, in-office acne treatment that is comfortable with no downtime. It is an FDA approved medical device for the treatment of acne that combines vacuum and broadband light technology to target and treat acne-related issues. The combination of these two treatment modalities mechanically clears congested hair follicles and targets and destroys the bacteria that contribute to the development of acne. Studies report that this combination therapy provides marked improvement in acne lesions in as few as two treatments spaced one to two weeks apart.
What is broadband light technology?
Broadband Light (BBL) therapy is a treatment option for acne, particularly for individuals with inflammatory acne who may benefit from the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of BBL. BBL therapy for acne is sometimes referred to as “BBL acne treatment” or “BBL phototherapy. BBL therapy can help reduce inflammation associated with acne lesions. It does this by targeting blood vessels that are involved in the inflammatory response, leading to a decrease in redness and swelling. It has been used alone to rapidly reduce active acne. In addition, it can reduce post-inflammatory redness and hyperpigmentation.
What is the procedure?
The procedure involves the following steps:
- Cleaning the Skin: Before the treatment, the skin is thoroughly cleansed to remove any makeup, oil, or debris.
- Vacuum Technology: TheraClearX uses a gentle vacuum to extract the sebum, dead skin cells, and other impurities from the pores. This helps to unclog the pores and reduce the formation of acne lesions.
- Broadband Light (BBT) Therapy: After the vacuuming process, broadband light therapy is applied to the skin to destroy the acne-causing bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes, C. acnes) and reduce inflammation.
- Cooling: A cooling mechanism is integrated into TheraClearX to keep the skin comfortable during the treatment and minimize any potential discomfort.
- Post-Treatment Care: Following the procedure, patients may experience some redness or mild swelling which typically subsides within a day or two. Sunscreen and skincare products recommended to be used to protect and care for the treated skin.
TheraClearX treatments are well tolerated by patients and effective for a wide range of mild-to-severe acne. There is little discomfort during treatments and no downtime. No anesthetics or numbing gels are necessary.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of TheraClearX may vary from person to person, and multiple sessions may be required for optimal results. Visible improvements can be seen as early as treatment number 2.
Contact Coastal Skin and Eye Institute to schedule a consultation and learn how TheraClearX treatments can help you or your loved one with a state-of-the-art treatment for acne. With offices in Carmel Valley, Encinitas, and La Mesa, we provide expert dermatology care near you.
References
- https://www.theraclearx.com/
- Munavalli G. Photopneumatic Technology for the Treatment of Mild-to-moderate Acne Vulgaris-A Review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2023 Jun;16(6 Suppl 2):S4-S6. PMID: 37361384; PMCID: PMC10286870.
