looking for by Megan Polichnowski

By Megan Polichnowski

I ’ ve been an aesthetician for 17 years and an acne sufferer for two decades. Witnessing people struggle with acne has always been personal to me. As a teenager, truly clear skin was something I’d never experienced for longer than a few days at a time. As an adult, my skincare routine and access to professional treatments keeps my skin looking good, but I am constantly researching and waiting for a new breakthrough in acne treatment.

It’s finally here. But first, more on my own quest for clear skin.

Until now, only systemic, oral isotretinoin (“Accutane”) could, for some, permanently lower the output of sebum by shrinking your sebaceous gland, halting acne in its tracks. However, isotretinoin comes with side effects, contraindications, and months of doctor’s appointments. Occasionally, you need multiple rounds of treatment. Not everyone can tolerate the medication, even with its potential outcome of “curing” acne. About a year ago, I finally took a leap and gave isotretinoin a shot. Nine weeks into my treatment I was delighted to wake up and find myself breakout free, with my clearest complexion in 20 years. But my lips were cracked and my eyes burned. The birth control I took with isotretinoin made me feel moody. Frankly though, I would have suffered those inconveniences forever if it meant having clear skin.

If you’re an individual that has never experienced acne in your life, you may think I’m being unreasonable. I’d never wish for you to experience the emotional toll acne takes on a person, particularly teenagers. Unsightly bumps, redness, and a shiny face by lunchtime. Large black dots littered across your nose. Diminished self-esteem with each new pimple. Teasing by people who think you’re “dirty” – which isn’t true, of course, but many people wrongly assume acne comes from poor hygiene. You wash. You scrub. You pile on serums, masks, and creams, hoping this combination is the miracle cure. Sometimes it works for a while, but then it doesn’t, and you’re back to the unending search to clear your skin.

A normal sebaceous gland produces a tiny amount of sebum (oil) that lubricates your hair follicles. Sebum overproduction triggers an inflammatory response in the skin and the breakout cycle begins. The bacteria that exists on our skin feeds on the excess sebum and proliferates rapidly. The bacteria and inflammation strangle your pore, blocking dead skin cells from sloughing off normally and a pimple is born. The cycle continues Welcome Home... NOW HIRING DEDICATED STAFF training available APPLY IN PERSON

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and with no topical products able to target your sebaceous gland directly. You’re left fighting a battle you can’t win.

Not anymore. That new breakthrough I mentioned before is here and it’s called Sebacia.

Sebacia is a non-systemic, FDA-approved, in-office acne treatment. The Sebacia acne treatment uses gold microparticles (yes, real gold) and a laser to target the sebaceous glands, shrinking them over time. It targets the root cause of acne and treats skin from the inside out. Spa La Paz is thrilled to be Georgia’s first Sebacia provider. In three quick treatments, we can clear your acne, long term. No contraindications. No side effects. Only clear, healthy, beautiful skin.

Call our spa at 470-308-3793 or visit www.SpaLaPaz.com to learn more.

Before and After Photos of Sebacia:

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