Acne is a very common condition around the world and it can be very frustrating to deal with. Acne presents many challenges as there are different causes and different treatments. Also it could take a long time to get acne under control and some people suffer from acne for many years.
Causes of Acne
There are many different causes of acne. All of these have to do with some sort of stress. There are many forms of stress that can occur on the skin which lead to acne. Common ones include things like products that are applied to the skin, not keeping the skin clean, and changes in the weather. Certain products are called comedogenic, which means they can lead to comedones, or acne pimples. For some people sweating while exercising can clog pores and lead to acne. Changes in weather include changes in temperature and humidity that may occur when seasons change or when you travel. Stress can also be emotional such as from work, school, or personal relationships. Stress on the body can also be caused by lack of sleep, poor diet, or lack of exercise. Hormones in the body can also cause stress. These is seen commonly in teenage boys who begin to produce more testosterone during puberty. It can also be seen in women who get breakouts during, prior, or after their menstrual cycles regularly. All of these types of stress can cause changes in the skin which can clog pores and lead to blackheads, whiteheads, or other breakouts. Sometimes they are close to the skin surface and at other times deep cysts can form. Many times the pus in the pimples leads to bacterial growth in the area, which can lead to redness and inflammation.
Treatments for Acne
Since there are so many possible causes of acne, there are many ways to treat it. The most important thing is to determine the underlying stress and address that. Sometimes this is easy. For example if a women gets acne breakouts at the same time every month during her menstrual cycle, the acne is most likely hormonal. In these cases oral contraceptives (birth control pills) often help regulate the acne. There are many type of oral contraceptives and not everyone is for each person so you may have to try a few different ones before it actually works for you. Leading a healthy lifestyle will decrease a person’s stress and this can work wonders for acne. Eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly will decrease the body’s stress levels. But at other times, certain causes of acne cannot be controlled. Therefore many alternative solutions are available. These can be topical products applied to the skin, medications taken by mouth, or various forms of treatment.
Topical Acne Products
Most of the time the first line treatment for acne is by using topical products because they are generally easy to use and often times control the acne without further intervention. Cleansers are used to keep the skin clean and prevent anything from clogging pores. One of our favorites is the Rhonda Allison Beta Green Tea Cleanser. Salicylic Acid kills bacteria making acne worse, and green tea soothes the skin. Other products include exfoliants such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These remove dead skin cells which clog pores. because they stimulate skin cell turnover, which prevents clogging of pores. It can take a few months before such products kick in completely.
Acne Treatments
There are many different types of treatments for acne, some of which can be done at home and others which are done by professionals. Gentle peels and masks are readily available and can be used at home. Many estheticians use stronger peels and treatments such as the hydrafacial. These are designed to remove a thin layer of the skin to unclog the pores. Higher strength peels such as the can be used as well and are performed at medical spas and can provide better results although recovery time can be increased.
Although acne is very common and it may be frustrating due to the appearance on the skin and the time it takes to clear it, it is important to be positive and continue with your therapy, whatever it may be. Sometimes it takes months or even years to control it completely, but stay the course and follow your provider’s recommendations to get the results you want. C
Visit us at www.allureskincareandlash.com or call 720-550-7953 for more information and to book your appointment today to treat your Acne. Our licensed healthcare professional You will not be disappointed with your results. We have an eye for your individualized treatment needs and can visualize the end results you are looking for.