According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “Letting acne run its’ course is not the best advice.”Without treatment, dark spots and permanent scars can appear on the skin as acne clears. Also, treating acne often boost’s a person’s self-esteem and there are effective treatments you can do at home and with an esthetician to minimize and clear up your skin, with time and diligence.
Acne is no longer just for teenagers. Men and women can get acne on their back, chest, neck shoulders, upper arms and buttocks. Women can get them into the 50’s. Acne can include: blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules (pimples), cysts and nodules. Approximately 40 to 50 million Americans have acne at any one time.
Acne appears when a pore in our skin clogs with dead skin cells. Normally the body would shed these cells. The skin produces sebum, an oil that keeps our skin from drying out. And with this sebum the skin cells can stick together and become trapped inside the pore.
Also, bacteria that lives on our skin, p. acnes, also gets inside the clogged pore and can multiply quickly. The pore can become inflamed (red and swollen) and if this goes deep in the skin, this become an acne cyst or nodule.
A dermatologist can diagnose your acne, to rule out any other skin condition. Acne is graded on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being mild and 4 being severe (usually about 20 to 100 whiteheads or blackheads). People with mild acne, usually only have a few blemishes; whiteheads, blackheads, papules and/or pustules. This can be treated with products you can get from an esthetician, or over-the-counter. A product containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be used at home, usually about 4-8 weeks to see improvement.
If you have a lot of acne, cysts or nodules, it is recommended you see a dermatologist to help clear it up. There are several topical prescriptions to help kill bacteria and reduce the oil. These may include: retinoid, prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, antibiotic or even salicylic acid.
Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, says, “The number of woman who will experience acne at some point during adulthood is rising.” It is unclear exactly why this is happening, however it may be due to a combination of stress, dietary factors and changing hormones.”
Other treatments include: laser, light therapies and chemical peels which can be administered by an esthetician.
These are done in addition to a consistent good home regimen of appropriate skin care products your esthetician can help put together for you.
A few tips to keep in mind to help manage Acne From Beauty:
- Don’t over wash your skin or use harsh products which can strip your skin of sebum, thus causing your oil glands to produce more. Or, they can cause dryness in addition to your acne.
- Use your fingertips to apply gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Using a washcloth or sponge can irritate the skin and you don’t want to spread the bacteria.
- Be gentle with your skin. Use products that are alcohol-free or have fragrance, as these can irritate your skin, these may also include astringents, toners and exfoliants.
- Scrubbing your skin can make it worse.
- Do not pick, pop or squeeze your acne, not only can this spread the bacteria, but it can cause scars, leave that to the professionals with the right equipment.
- Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. These can damage the skin and if you are taking acne medications, these will make the skin very sensitive to the ultraviolet light. Additionally, tanning beds increases your risk for melanoma by 75 percent.
- Never wear makeup to bed. And change your pillowcase once every three days.
- Try not to wear makeup when you work out, go to the gym or are physically active.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser after sweating.
Finally, make-up and acne. You can wear makeup, however you want to choose it carefully and use disposable applicators to prevent spreading of bacteria. Some cosmetics can cause acne. If you have this, acne cosmetica, you’ll likely have many tiny bumps on your face. They usually appear on the cheeks, chin or forehead. Some shampoos and hair care products can also cause acne. Check packages for hair care and skin care and makeup products that are: Oil-free, won’tclog pores and are non-comedogenic. Never share makeup.
Acne From Beauty can be challenging and cause self-esteem and even depression for some people, get professional help to minimize and get rid of it. At Moore Road MediSpa, they offer a variety of treatments to help you look and feel your very best.
