How to Manage Chronic Acne-Prone Skin
It can be challenging to manage chronic acne, and a lot of us are noticing breakouts as a result of wearing masks when we head out in public. As frustrating as it can be, it also gives us a moment to reconsider our current skincare strategies and what’s working vs. what needs to be updated.
In this article, we're going to look at some of the root causes of acne in order to gain a better understanding of habits that can be adjusted and areas of improvement. We’ll also look at a few treatment options such as microdermabrasion and European Facials that can help break the cycle of acne. Finally, we’ll go over some skincare routines that will maintain the progress made with these treatments!
Sources of Acne
There are many reasons that a breakout can happen, and sometimes it can be a combination of a few different things that can result in acne. In this section, we’ll go over some of these sources.
Medication
Sometimes, starting a new medication can trigger breakouts that subside as it settles in your system, or sticks around until the prescription is ended. These are uncommon, and should not be the reason to stop something a doctor has prescribed! If you’re worried, get in touch with your family doctor and see if there are alternatives to what you’re taking.
Diet
Contrary to popular belief, greasy foods do not lead to increased breakouts! Instead, it’s high-fat and high-sugar foods that can lead to increased acne. However, it’s important to note that any study that looks at diet can be faulty as people tend to misreport what they’ve consumed. Instead, try to use this as an excuse to eat healthier and in moderation.
Mask Wearing
Since we're doing our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, our skin needs a little extra love. The tight seal that a mask creates traps moisture from spreading into the air which is a great way to reduce transmission, but it can result in the build-up of oils and eventual acne if it’s not managed.
One way you can reduce breakouts from wearing masks is to buy fabric ones (with filter inserts for better protection) and wash them frequently. You can also use a product like micellar water to quickly remove the excess oil and bacteria without drying out your skin.
Hormones
Adults can have hormonal acne, and it can be frustrating to get it under control. Often, hormonal acne comes from changes in the body related to your menstrual cycle, worsening about a week before the start of your period and clearing up towards the end. Sometimes, contraceptives can help with acne, but it’s important to ask your doctor about it first!
Stress
Stress is a multiplier of chronic acne. This means that it doesn’t start breakouts but it can make them worse! If you’re noticing that your acne is worsening from stress, try to take care of yourself with a few self-care practices recommended by the blog Greatist. While they provide a long list of options, pick one or two that excite you and try to work them into your routine.
Treating Chronic Acne - stopping the cycle with targeted treatments
European Facial
A European Facial treatment has a two-fold benefit: it’s great for the skin and it’s relaxing! Each treatment consists of a deep clean with a cleanser, exfoliation, black/whitehead extraction, facial steam and massage. The practitioner will assess your skin after cleansing and pick an exfoliant and moisturizer based on your skin’s needs.
From there, they’ll extract any blackheads and whiteheads that they see. This method is much better than pore strips as it won’t strip layers of skin from your face.
They’ll then give your face a steam treatment and massage to restore moisture and soothe any irritation from the extraction process.
This treatment lasts between three to four weeks, which is about the time it takes for your face to grow more skin cells that replace the previously treated ones!
To book a European Facial treatment or find more information you can take a look at our Facial page or drop us a line.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive treatment for chronic acne that uses a physical exfoliant (like crystals) that is sprayed onto the face to remove dead skin and gently exfoliate the face. This safe and effective procedure uses microdermabrasion devices that both spray the exfoliant onto the face and suction it away, leaving you with rejuvenated skin.
The only side effects may be mild bruising, skin tenderness and mild swelling that come from using a suction-type device. Skincare professionals recommend a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen, and then you’re off to conquer the world!
Microdermabrasion is an exciting treatment that can help kickstart your skincare routine, and it’s something we offer! If you have questions about this procedure and how it can fit into your routine get in touch with us.
Medication
A doctor can prescribe medication for chronic acne that can help break the cycle of acne and restore your face. These medications, like Accutane, can be hard on the body and are typically prescribed by a dermatologist when acne can’t be controlled through other methods.
Treating Chronic Acne - Recommendations for Different Skin Types that you can do at home
Once you’ve broken the cycle of acne, fine-tuned your stress management and are washing your mask, you’ve likely started to notice fewer pimples. That’s amazing! We’re so proud of the initiative you took. But how do you maintain this momentum?
In this section, we're going to look at a few different ways you can maintain your progress and keep your skin happy! We all have breakouts from time to time, so it’s important to have the products on hand that are good for your face and will help maximize the treatments and changes you’ve made.
Cleanser
There are many different cleansers on the market now. From gels and foams to oils and creams, there’s something for every skin type. For acne-prone skin, Grounded Sage Skincare came up with a brilliant article that breaks down all different types of cleansers and which one you’ll need for your face.
To sum it up, if you have dry or stripped skin you can try cream or gel-based cleansers. If bacteria is the issue, you can try a fruit enzyme or facial soap bar. Finally, if you have extra oily skin, you can use a gel skin cleanser, whipped soap or facial soap bar.
Exfoliant
Adore Beauty says you can still incorporate an exfoliant into your skincare regimen, but make sure the active ingredient is a chemical (like fruit enzymes) rather than a physical one (like fruit seeds or charcoal). Physical exfoliants will increase inflammation and irritation, which is counterproductive for treating acne, but chemical exfoliants gently remove dirt and oil build-up that can cause further breakouts. Additionally, you’ll only want to use an exfoliant once per week so you don’t end up irritating your skin further or stripping away too much oil!
Moisturizer
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends continuing to use moisturizer, even if you feel your face is oily. Active ingredients meant to treat acne like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, Adapalene, tazarotene, or tretinoin can dry out your face and leave it irritated. A moisturizer can help balance and restore irritated skin and prevent future breakouts. Try to choose a hypoallergenic moisturiser that is unscented to prevent irritation while using targeted treatments.
Mask
We love this article from Greatist as it actually goes over recommended active ingredients rather than a series of products. This means that you’ll end up with a better understanding of the mask you’re purchasing! The article begins with a list of exfoliants, rejuvenators and “bacteria busters”, before making the recommendation to ensure you only use a mask once a week, as too much can be overwhelming for your skin and lead to more breakouts.
Conclusion to Managing Chronic Acne-Prone Skin
In this article, we went over a number of concepts relating to managing acne-prone skin. We began by going over the different root causes of acne and how addressing it can help with breakouts. We then looked at how you can break the cycle by getting spa treatments like a European Facial or Microdermabrasion. Treatments like this can help safely extract blackheads and whiteheads, remove dead skin and leave your face feeling rejuvenated! Finally, we went over a few common different skincare products and what active ingredients to look out for when choosing a refreshed routine.
If you’re ready to get started tackling your breakouts and want to schedule a facial treatment, we're here for you! With over 20 years of experience treating skin, we offer a wide range of services to help rejuvenate your face and get breakouts under control. Get in touch with us to get started!