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California Dermatology Care is proud to be the first and currently only office in Northern California to offer Sebacia — the new and exciting way to combat acne. Unlike most popular acne treatments, Sebacia doesn’t involve topical or oral medications. Instead, Sebacia utilizes gold microparticles to target the glands that produce acne-causing oil. By addressing acne at its source, this innovative therapy reduces existing acne and prevents future breakouts for long-lasting results and satisfaction.

If you’ve tried over-the-counter products or in-office treatments and haven’t gotten the results you desire, Sebacia may be the breakthrough your acne routine needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see if the Sebacia acne treatment might be an option for you.

What Is Sebacia?

Most acne treatments target two factors associated with the development of acne: bacteria and clogged pores. While these treatments can help, they aren’t getting to the root of the problem, which means their benefits are limited. Topical creams and cleansers need to be used continuously to work and their results only last for so long.

Sebacia is different. Instead of focusing on bacteria or clogged pores around the surface of the skin, Sebacia treats acne from the inside out by traveling to the sebaceous glands that are responsible for oil production. When these glands function optimally, the oil they produce plays an important role in lubricating and protecting the skin. When the glands produce too much oil, however, acne can be the unsightly, confidence-crushing result. Sebacia delivers long-lasting results with virtually no downtime using gold microparticles and Nd:YAG laser to reduce oil production in the sebaceous glands.

Why Choose Sebacia?

This newly FDA-approved treatment offers a semi-permanent solution to those struggling with acne. Sebacia requires only three appointments — each lasting 30-45 minutes — scheduled over the course of two weeks. There is no anesthesia involved in the treatment, so you can return to your normal activities right away with no downtime. Every part of the Sebacia acne treatment is done within our office — there are no extra steps you’ll be asked to finish at home and no daily regimen you’ll have to follow for upkeep. Your skin will gradually improve every day as you continue with your regular skincare routine. Sebacia can be used in conjunction with other acne treatments to ensure optimal results.

How Does Sebacia Work?

During a Sebacia treatment, you will be made comfortable while the microparticle formula is prepared for application. Your face will be cleansed, then the formula will be applied to your skin and gently massaged into your pores. The microparticles are orbs of silica coated in real gold. When they are broken down into even smaller pieces, they can travel deep into the dermis to reach the sebaceous glands.

After the microparticles have been thoroughly massaged into your face, an Nd:YAG laser is applied. The gold in the microparticles is a light-absorbing material that attracts the laser, ensuring it reaches its intended targets. The laser heats the sebaceous glands and gradually slows the production of oil with each successive treatment. Most patients describe the sensation of the laser as tiny pinpricks or a small rubber band snapping against their skin.

There is no downtime after a Sebacia treatment. Your skin may appear red at first, but redness typically resolves within a few hours to a day or two. All potential side effects will be discussed ahead of time. You can plan to return to work, school or home immediately after your treatment.

How Does Sebacia Compare to Other Light-Based Acne Treatments?

IPL (intense pulsed light) and laser systems are commonly used to treat acne. These technologies heat the skin more generally than Sebacia, which specifically targets the sebaceous glands associated with acne. By localizing its heating effect, Sebacia reduces the risk of thermal damage to the surrounding tissues. Sebacia worked with researchers from Rice University and Duke University to produce a molecule that could hold laser light in a concentrated area, thus requiring less heat and lessening the potential for burns.

acne treatment before and after

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Sebacia?

Acne affects 85 percent of people from the ages of 12 to 24. For many, it develops in adolescence and lasts well into adulthood, causing a variety of aesthetic, emotional and social challenges that can significantly reduce quality of life. Sebacia is a new solution for men and women struggling with inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Sebacia has demonstrated improvement in acne in multiple clinical studies. After three months, patients experienced an average improvement of approximately 65 percent. At six months, average improvement climbed to 74 percent. At one year, average improvement reached 85 percent. To date, these studies have focused on mild to moderate cases of acne. Sebacia has not yet undergone trials for more severe cases of cystic acne.

You may be an ideal candidate for Sebacia if you have 10 to 40 acne blemishes on your face and you’re not getting the results you’d hoped for with over-the-counter treatments. Sebacia may also be right for you if you’ve seen a doctor already, but want to avoid taking antibiotics or oral medications for your acne. The Sebacia treatment may reduce or even eliminate the need to use daily medication to treat your acne.

Are You Ready for Sebacia?

If you’ve been struggling with acne year after year, you know how expensive, time-consuming and frustrating it can be to find a solution that works. We see first-hand the physical and emotional toll acne has on patients, and we’ve also seen the dramatic impact effective treatment can have on our patient’s lives. If you’re tired of dealing with treatments that don’t work, perhaps Sebacia is right for you.

Dr. William Ting is a board-certified dermatologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. As the medical director of California Dermatology Care, Dr. Ting is proud to offer the best and latest dermatological technology to patients in San Ramon, Hercules, Livermore and the surrounding areas of the East Bay. We are thrilled to be the first dermatology clinic in Northern California to offer Sebacia and show our patients what the future of acne treatment looks like.

To learn more about the Sebacia acne treatment, text California Dermatology Care at 925-328-0255 or schedule an appointment online.