Medical Dermatology

Acne is a common inflammatory condition that affects up to 85% of the adolescent population, although it can be observed in patients of all ages. The cause of acne is multifactorial. Genetics, hormones, bacteria, psychological stress and diet all contribute to acne production. Acne may present as whiteheads and blackheads (comedonal acne), pustules or deep-seated cysts. It is important to treat acne early as this minimises discolouration and potential life-long scarring which can be detrimental to one’s self-esteem.

What are the treatment options?

The treatment of acne includes anti-bacterial washes, prescriptive gels and lotions, hormonal therapy, prescriptive oral medications and HEROic broad band light therapy (BBL).

HEROic BBL is the world’s first energy-based device where AI ensures your treatment is accurately performed. This leads to better results and patient safety than standard IPL (intense pulsed light) machines. HEROic broad band light therapy uses a combination of blue, yellow, and infrared light to eliminate bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote the body’s natural healing process to clear acne. During a HEROic BBL treatment, patients feel mild discomfort as the HEROic BBL handpiece gently glides across the skin.

The treatment involves several passes of the device over the treatment area. The first pass uses blue light to eliminate acne-causing bacteria located deep within the skin’s pores. The second pass uses yellow light to reduce inflammation and acne-associated redness while preventing new breakouts. To maximize patients’ results, the skin receives a third pass using infra-red light in rapid, gentle pulses to initiate the body’s natural healing process, reduce the appearance of existing scars, and enhance the benefits of the first two steps. You should feel mild discomfort during treatment as the HEROic BBL handpiece gently glides across the skin. A sapphire tip of the HEROic BBL applicator keeps the skin cool and comfortable throughout the treatment. Afterward, most patients will continue to feel warm for 30 to 60 minutes. You will require multiple treatment sessions depending on how much acne and redness you have in your skin. Your doctor will advise you on how many treatments are required. Each HEROic BBL treatment is generally performed every 2 - 4 weeks.

Dermatologists at Laye Dermatology will customise your acne treatment plan tailored to meet your specific needs.

Rosacea is a common skin condition that presents as red bumps, pustules, broken capillaries, generalised facial redness or a combination thereof. Rosacea can also affect the eyelids and present as irritated eyes. Rosacea occurs mostly in fair skinned individuals and is a chronic relapsing, remitting disorder. There are several causes for rosacea, which includes hyperactive blood vessels in the skin and/or infestation with the demodex mite. There are several trigger factors including sunlight, heat, alcoholic beverages, spicy foods and caffeine.

What Are the Treatment Options?

The treatment of rosacea is dependent on the variant you have. The bumps and pustules respond better to prescriptive oral medications and creams. The facial redness may be treated with a series of HEROic broad band light (BBL) and vascular laser treatments.

HEROic BBL is the world’s first energy-based device where AI ensures your treatment is accurately performed. This leads to better results and patient safety than standard IPL (intense pulsed light) machines. The light that is released from the HEROic BBL which strikes the target tissue is more attracted to certain chromophores or skin pigments. There are basically three chromophores in the skin which are targets when treating with HEROic BBL light; haemoglobin (redness), melanin (brown) and water. The aim of HEROic BBL treatment is reduction and improvement of redness and/or pigmentation. You should feel mild discomfort during treatment as the HEROic BBL handpiece gently glides across the skin. A sapphire tip of the HEROic BBL applicator keeps the skin cool and comfortable throughout the treatment. Afterward, most patients will continue to feel warm for 30 to 60 minutes.

The vascular laser selectively targets haemoglobin and deposits heat into blood vessels. This heat increases the temperature of the blood that is flowing through the blood vessel. This in turn will heat the blood vessel wall causing it to collapse. The heating of the small blood vessels can also induce an inflammatory response causing the release of mediators that stimulate fibroblast cell activity and the body’s natural repair process resulting in COLLAGEN production.
Patients typically can return to normal activities immediately following treatment with HEROic BBL and vascular laser.

You will require multiple treatment sessions depending on how much redness you have on your skin. Each treatment is generally performed every 4 weeks. Your Dermatologist will advise you on how many treatments are required.
Dermatologists at Laye Dermatology will customise your rosacea treatment plan tailored to meet your specific needs.

Dermatitis is a term that describes inflamed, itchy, scaly skin. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing remitting condition that may occur at any age but usually presents early in life. The causes of atopic dermatitis are both genetic and environmental.

What are the treatment options?

Unfortunately there is no cure for atopic dermatitis and it is a condition that is managed with soap substitutes, emollients, prescriptive creams and ointments and in severe cases phototherapy, oral medication or injections.

There are new medications called Small Molecules and Biologics which are a class of immune modulators that control atopic dermatitis and can only be prescribed by a specialist dermatologist.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition characterised by red, scaly plaques with well-defined edges and generally occurs symmetrically on the body. The usual sites include the knees and elbows, although any part of the body may be affected. The incidence of psoriasis is 2-4% and can occur early or later in life. Genetics play an important role in the cause of psoriasis.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing remitting condition. Unfortunately, there is no cure but psoriasis can be cleared and managed well with emollients, prescriptive creams and ointments and in severe cases phototherapy, oral medication or injections. There are new medications called Small Molecules and Biologics which are a class of immune modulators that control psoriasis and can only be prescribed by a specialist dermatologist.

Axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive armpit sweating) affects approximately 1.4% of the population. It can be embarrassing, debilitating and interfere with one’s daily life.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Botulinum toxin injection is minimally invasive and has become the treatment of choice for those who fail other measures. Botulinum toxin works by blocking a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine that is responsible for turning on the sweat glands.

To help make the procedure as comfortable as possible, a numbing cream is applied to your armpit area prior to your injections. Small amounts are injected into or near the sweat glands, which usually takes 30 minutes. It may take up to three weeks to see the effects, which usually lasts up to seven months.
Dermatologists are the only doctors who can perform botulinum toxin injections for axillary hyperhidrosis if you wish to claim a Medicare rebate for your treatment.