All About Acne

While acne is not a serious health threat, it is a significant medical problem that can sap confidence, destroy self-esteem and have a detrimental impact on the mental health and social life of those affected. Acne should be promptly treated to avoid or minimise scarring, both physically and emotionally. At Charisma Skin, we offer a range of proven acne treatments in our Perth studio. Let’s take a look at what causes acne, how it can be treated and things you can do at home to help prevent it.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that shows up as different types of bumps such as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts. Most common amongst teenagers, the good news is for most people, acne goes away almost completely by the time they are out of their teen years.

Usually appearing on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back, and chest, acne occurs when the pores of the skin become blocked with oil, dead skin, or bacteria. Genetics also plays a significant part with studies showing around 80% of the factors causing acne are genetic, including the degree of oil or sebum production from the skin. Inappropriate make-up or moisturisers can also block pores and cause blackheads. The causes of acne are multi-factorial and different for each person.

Treating Acne

Acne treatments will vary from person to person, as there is no particular treatment that is successful for everyone. Acne left untreated can lead to permanent scarring so the sooner you begin treatment the greater the chance of avoiding scarring altogether.

There are two main methods of acne treatment:

  • Oral medications
  • Medical grade skin treatments such as LED light therapy, microdermbrasion and chemical peels

For acne that is resistant to the normal modalities of treatment, oral isotretinoin can be used.

At Home Tips to Combat Acne

There are a few simple things you can do at home in conjunction with professionally prescribed treatments that will give your skin the best chance of a smooth, clear and vibrant appearance.

Cleanse your skin twice a day – this is the best way to keep breakouts away. Ensure you remove makeup and clean your skin thoroughly before bed, even when you are too tired to do so.

Use the right cleansing product for your skin type – for a cleanser to be most effective, you need to pick one that has the appropriate ingredients for the needs of your skin. For oily skin, choose products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid. For sensitive skin, look for cleansers with lactic acid or hydrating ingredients like glycerine.

Don’t over-exfoliate – Scrubbing your face daily with grainy cleansers and exfoliating products can do more harm than good. Over-exfoliating can cause redness, inflammation and irritation.

Change your face washer and towel regularly – dirty towels and face washers can harbor bacteria, and may even introduce new bacteria to your skin, resulting in more breakouts.

Remember to moisturize – many people think moisturizer will exacerbate acne, however the opposite is true, it can actually help improve your skin. When skin is dry and dehydrated, the oil glands can overproduce oil, making pimples and acne worse.

Don’t wear makeup when exercising – completely washing your face and removing your makeup prior to a workout will minimize the risk of breakouts. When makeup covers pores, it creates a barrier that doesn’t allow sweat to make it to the surface of the skin. This can lead to clogged pores.

Clean your phone screen regularly – phone screens may look clean but they are actually dirty surfaces and think how many times a day they come in contact with your face? Clean your screen daily with an alcohol wipe and try using the speaker option or headphones to minimise the amount of time the phone rests on your face.

Don’t squeeze your pimples – dirt under your fingernails and improper squeezing can cause acne to spread or lead to further infection. Also, popping pimples can lead to pitted scars!

Eat a healthy diet – drinking plenty of water and avoiding foods with refined sugars will increase your general health and wellbeing, giving you the best chance of a clear and glowing complexion.

If you are suffering from acne, don’t despair – there will be a treatment that works for you. At Charisma Skin Studio, our team specialise in skin and acne treatments in Perth and will be able to give you the proper advice on the right treatment for you. We have an array of therapies on offer for acne so contact us today for a consultation with one of our highly trained professionals. We will discuss the different treatment options available to you and advise on realistic and achievable outcomes, and what you can expect from your treatment. Call us today on (08) 9440 0221 or book online.

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