Acne
Let’s talk about Acne
Acne can be an emotional journey, at Ohh! We offer you the best support we can with information, education, advice and tailored treatments.
Acne occurs due to a breakdown in the lipid barrier of the skin allowing bacteria to breach the broken surface and if the lipid barrier is not allowed to repair acne will continually occur.
Good quality home care is key, and prevention is always better than cure.
Adult acne or post adolescent acne is acne that occurs after the age of 25, acne is not just a problem for teenagers.
According to studies 95% of people are affected by acne to some extent right up until their 30’s and 3% of adults still suffering with acne over the age of 35.
To further explain the cause of acne
Acne begins with an overproduction of sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles found near the surface of your skin, this sebum is like a thick syrupy oil blocking the skins hair follicles and pores, the skin then starts to attract a sebum eating bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes (P.Acnes), which in turn causes inflammation and redness in the skin.
What basic steps can I implement to combat acne, are there any changes I can make at home?
Do not pick or squeeze as this will make it worse and you risk Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) which is when your melanin (colour producing cells) suffer inflammation and create purple/red/brown scarring.
Never go to bed with make-up on, ideally use warm water, skin geek mitts as sold in our online shop & in practice - or a muslin cloth, double cleanse.
Use a mineral make-up, if any.
Swap out make-up for a tinted SPF, such as Clinicare Dermo Corrective Cream SPF 50. This is essential daily even if staying indoors as central heating can affect the skins lipid barrier.
Clean make up brushes Once a week, in a mild soap or shampoo (washing up liquids may be harsh on the hairs) to prevent bacteria and residue build up, not to mention the accumulation of dead skin cells and oil, which can clog your pores and lead to dull or broken out skin, clean brushes apply makeup better even the best makeup can become streaky and patchy when applied with a dirty brush clean bristles will assure a smoother application. Wash, swirl and leave to dry.
Do not over exfoliate, at Ohh! We can create you a tailored home skin care plan. This is one of the biggest problems in skin deterioration the misunderstood action of over scrubbing or using astringents causing more damage to the skins PH and lipid barrier.
Avoid face oils & hair products that contain oil, look for paraben free shampoo & conditioner.
Always wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 daily come rain or shine.
Sleep with a silk or copper pillowcase, these are great for your hair and your skin.
Do not share towels and face cloths & wash them at 60 degrees.
Disinfect your mobile phone regularly.
Consider removing or reducing sugar dairy and meat from your diet.
Eat plant-based meals where you can.
Introduce hormone balancing herbs and supplements to your diet.
These steps will not necessarily remove the problem completely, however, there are lots of active ingredients that can be applied to the skin to help it heal and restore. Applying these topically will only get you so far which is where micro-needling and mesotherapy factor in allowing the solutions to flow to the epidermal/dermal junction of the skin where the magic happens.
Acne Scarring
Acne scarring can also be treated by helping balance sebum production, adding nutrition to the skin using hyaluronic acid and nutrients to reduce inflammation, calming, soothing and restoring the skin reducing the incidence of acne. Combating the depressed skin that acne tends to leave behind, by stimulating collagen and elastin, plumping, and smoothing out the skin reducing the tension that depressed acne scarring causes.
Skin soon becomes brighter, smoother and healthier with an overall more youthful look due to the increased production of natural collagen.
Remember the skin cells renew approximately every 28 days so any new regime implemented may take time to work allow your skin time to adapt.
Take your first step to a life without Acne and remove it’s emotional impact on your well being, Drop us a message at Ohh! or Book a consultation with no obligation, do something today that your future self will thank you for, we are here waiting to help you on your journey to stay fabulous x
