Acne 
is a common, chronic skin disorder affecting most teens to some extent, and adults as well. It is caused by several factors, including clogging of hair follicles, excess oil production, bacteria and hormones. Comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts can occur on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and back. Acne can be disfiguring and emotionally upsetting. Since it can cause permanent scarring, acne should be treated early. Acne is not caused by foods, but if certain foods aggravate it, they should be avoided. Acne is not contagious.
With today’s technology, there’s no reason to accept pimples on your face or on any other part of your body. Acne can be resolved completely or improved dramatically with available treatments usable by anyone at any age under most circumstances. The goals of acne therapy are to eliminate painful cysts, improve appearance and self-image, and prevent scarring.
In the past, treatments for moderate acne included topical antibacterials and antibiotics, oral antibiotics, Retin-A™, Accutane™, astringents and exfoliants.
The ClearLight Acne therapy is a new light-based system for the treatment of inflamed, mild to moderate acne blemishes. It involves a short, painless treatment regimen that destroys acne-causing bacteria within the skin while having no effect on the normal skin. Applied in eight treatments over a four-week period, most patients see a dramatic decrease in the number and severity of acne blemishes and lesions; some report significant improvements after only two or three sessions. During treatment sessions, which last approximately 15 minutes, the patient lies comfortably while the therapeutic light is applied. The treatments are easy, relaxing, painless and safe. There are no side effects and patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.
Before and after treatment images of an actual patient of Dr. Nestor.
Blue Light Acne Treatment
The Blue Light PhotoDynamic Therapy is FDA approved for the treatment of moderate acne. It destroys the P. acnes bacteria in your skin. The Blue Light can be administered alone or in conjunction with a topical application of ALA, or Levulan (aminolevulinic) for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Pretreatment with topical ALA may offer additional reduction of lesions, pustules, and papules. Patients receiving Blue Light only will simply sit in front of the Blue Light delivery system for about sixteen minutes. Treatments are spaced at weekly intervals.
Patients receiving the topical application of ALA with their Blue Light treatment sit with the ALA cream on for about thirty minutes, then sit in front of the Blue Light for about eight minutes. Treatments are spaced two weeks apart. Whether you have Blue Light only or you have Blue Light with the topical application of ALA, your number of treatments, your treatment time and your treatment intervals may vary with the severity of your acne.
Treatments with Blue Light and ALA have shown minimal adverse side effects or patient discomfort. The Blue Light treatments are gentle and do not harm surrounding tissues. After two to four weekly treatments, most patients experience a reduction in the severity of their acne and a reduction in the number of pustules and papules.