Best Treatments for Acne
The best treatments and products for acne prone skin
Acne, the bane of many people’s existence. It’s a foe to many, a friend to none, but don’t fret! Here at Aspire Beauty & Aesthetics, we want to help you treat your acne and love your skin! So, here is our advice for the best acne treatments and products for acne prone skin.
First things first, what causes acne?
Spots form when the oil and dead skin cells on your skin combine to form a plug that blocks the pores. Ordinarily, your skin naturally sheds its dead cells, however, if your body produces a lot of sebum, also known as oil, this can cause those cells to get stuck in your pores.
Sometimes the bacteria Cutibacterium acnes also gets trapped in your pores, where it multiplies. As the bacteria that naturally live on skin overgrow within this plugged follicle, the area becomes inflamed, and this is when you acne can form. To treat this, you want to focus on exfoliation, remove excess oil, soothing inflammation and killing the C. acnes bacteria that is causing your skin to breakout.
One thing to get clear, is that there is no universal solution to acne.
Every person has different skin, and therefore responds to treatments differently, and sometimes it can get worse before it gets better. Finding the right treatment for you can be frustrating and a real trial and error process, but it’s entirely worth it to help get your skin in a better condition. You should try to work with a dermatologist or skin care specialist to build up a regimen if possible.
You should get your skin examined to determine the severity of your acne and figure out which type (or types) you have. This will then inform which type of treatment would work best: topical or oral (or both).
Here are the differences:
• Topical acne treatment: The most common type of acne treatment. Some aim to treat by killing acne-causing bacteria while others get rid of acne by decreasing oil. The ingredients in topical acne treatments may include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, or salicylic acid.
• Oral acne treatment: These medications work internally, and are prescribed when you have acne cysts and nodules, which are red, swollen pimples. They can come in different forms such as antibiotics, which kill bacteria and decrease inflammation, birth control pills, which helps with hormonal acne, and isotretinoin commonly known as Accutane.
Products to use:
1. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is the go-to fix for younger people suffering with acne. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that works by dissolving excess oil and gently exfoliating dead skin cells, and is a popular ingredient in many drugstore acne treatments. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help with inflamed cystic breakouts, which can occur when blockages deep in the hair follicles rupture beneath the skin. Salicylic acid can be used in a face wash, however you may find that you have better results when using it in other forms, such as in toner, moisturizer, or leave-on spot treatment, as this gives it more time to get to work. Be warned, Salicylic acid can dry out the skin if over-applied, so consider choosing only one product with the ingredient to use every day.
2. Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the skin without damaging the outer layer, helping to get rid of the dead skin cells that can clog pores. As with salicylic acid, you can find glycolic acid in a range of products, such as washes, peels, moisturizers, and serums.
3. Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a very effective antibacterial ingredient that kills the C. acnes bacteria responsible for causing breakouts, however, it has it’s side effects. The leave-on creams and cleansing treatments can dry out sensitive skin and bleach clothing if you aren’t careful with how much you use. It’s best to stick to formulations that have no more than 2% benzoyl peroxide listed on the active-ingredients chart; stronger concentrations are harder on your skin without being any tougher on bacteria.
4. Lactic Acid
Similar to glycolic acid, lactic acid is an AHA, meaning it acts as a chemical exfoliant on the skin. However, it’s in general gentler than glycolic acid, therefore it’s a good option for people who have sensitive skin. Lactic acid is also a humectant, which means it draws water to itself and can be hydrating. So for those with dry or sensitive skin, exfoliants with lactic acid are the option for you.
5. Retinol
Retinols are super popular right now, they have great benefits, including anti-aging effects but retinols are also efficient at clearing up acne. Retinoids encourage skin cells to turn over at a faster rate, decrease oil production, all while exfoliating your skin. They are also anti-inflammatory.
Retinols are helpful not just with treating acne but also preventing new acne from forming, as they help prevent that initial stage of the follicle getting clogged, and can help with the consequences of acne, such as hyperpigmentation. However, they can be irritating, especially if you have a skin condition like eczema or have sensitive skin. You should start with a low concentration of retinol to test how your skin reacts and build up tolerance before you move to a higher concentration. It may take a few months to see results, so stay consistent!
LED Light Therapy
Light emitting diode (LED) light therapy is growing in popularity in both in-office treatments and at home treatments. Using varying LED wavelengths.
Red light, also known as infrared, is used for treating the outer layer of skin, the dermis. The light is absorbed by the epidermis and then collagen proteins are stimulated.
Collagen helps your skin look smoother, plumper and fuller, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Red LED light is also thought to reduce inflammation while simultaneously improving circulation, which can give you a healthier glow.
However, blue light targets the oil glands, aka the sebaceous glands, located underneath your hair follicles. These glands help lubricate your skin and hair to prevent it from getting dry. When these glands become overactive, it leads to oily skin and acne.
Blue LED light therapy can target these oil glands and make them less active, meaning fewer acne breakouts in the future. Blue light can also kill acne-causing bacteria that sits beneath the skin, which can help treat severe acne pimples, including cysts and nodules.
Skin Peels
The treatment involves a chemical solution being put on the skin, causing it to blister and peel off over the span of a few days
Chemical peels offer a range of benefits for skin that is acne-prone and acne scar-prone. These include:
Improving the texture and skin tone of the skin by smoothing it out
Lightening and reducing the colour of dark spots
Preventing future breakouts by unclogging pores
If you're looking to manage your acne, choose a superficial or light peel that uses salicylic acid to help minimise your spots. If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars, your options involve medium or deep peels.
Regular Anti-Acne Facials
Here at Aspire Beauty & Aesthetics, we offer an anti-acne facial that includes specialised products to help treat acne, as well as LED Light Therapy and skin vacuuming to help improve the condition of your skin.
Here at Aspire Beauty and Aesthetics, located in Hounslow, we offer a series of treatments that cater to a plethora of concerns. We offer laser hair removal, lip and face fillers, facials for skin care and much more to help you with your self care journey! Don’t hesitate to contact us today or book in a consultation.