How To Show Acne The Door (As Soon As Possible)
Far more than just a skin disorder (relax, we’ll get you through it), acne breakouts have a ripple effect that lasts beyond healed pimples. Sadly, acne, with its inflammation, can leave reminders of its time on your skin. As if the acne itself isn’t enough, now you’re battling dark marks and possible post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). No, thanks. Scores of acne sufferers talk about feelings of low self-esteem and embarrassment, and it’s no wonder. Lots is going on when it comes to acne. The Skin Renewal difference is diagnosing and treating acne early and efficiently, so it goes from problem to progress and beautiful skin as soon as possible.
The Biology of Acne: How It Shows Up On Skin
Acne is actually quite a common skin disorder, however it’s bad rep during the teen years does have alarm bells ringing if it crops up again in adulthood. Adult acne, especially when your hormone levels dip and dive, is, unfortunately, something women, in particular, contend with. Understanding your inflammation issues and their role in acne breakouts is very important. Diagnostically, a Skin Renewal medical doctor can help pinpoint the challenge and work with you to calm the source of the problem. In other words, your pimples are skin signals telling you something is off-balance in your body. The deeper you dive into what’s happening holistically, the better you can manage your acne. Back to that, acne is when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria. You see blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, or cysts showing up on your face, chest, and often for men, the back and shoulder areas. Remember, acne is also influenced by your genetics, diet, and the environment, such as pollution. Even your lifestyle choices (smoking, incorrect skincare and hydration levels) can impact the issue. Lots to think about? Let’s start with hormones.
Unhappy Hormones: The Subject Of Skin
As you know, acne can rear its familiar head any time you’re in hormonal flux (during your period or when pregnant). And then there’s perimenopause and menopause itself. Known to affect skin – especially if you’ve been an acne sufferer before, cystic acne (inflamed, painful pimples deep under the skin) flares on the lower face when you hit perimenopause. Again, this signals to you that your body is undergoing something deeper. See how your system works? It’s like the condition polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can be with you from as early as 18 years old. Unfortunately, so can the acne that goes along with it. The lesions sit deeper in the skin and again appear on the jawline, chin and upper neck. This is an indicator, though, and the best method of proper diagnosis is always working with a skilled medical skin expert. At Skin Renewal, blood diagnostic analysis helps determine hormone imbalances, and then your doctor can prescribe the correct nutritional support in critical supplementation. And for scarring – whether it’s from hormonal teen acne or your run-in with the deeper cystic type, Skin Renewal offers Dermapen Skin Needling and Contact YAG Laser. Both are ideal for all skin tones and types needing to treat acne scarring, deep-seated inflammation, and dark marks.
Goodness of The Gut: Why It Needs Balance
Now you’re familiar with the skin signal drill, understanding the gut-acne connection is the next big step in getting a handle on breakouts. Many gut concerns like dysbiosis, leaky gut syndrome, and even food sensitivity lead to inflammation, manifesting as acne. Again, you need to treat the root cause of the issue (your gut health) rather than just the acne. Specific diagnosis aside, it all starts with a balanced gut microbiome. This ecosystem in your intestines needs to function healthily, so understanding good-for-you gut bacteria equals a happy body and skin. Research connects gut microbes to acne (this includes diet and supplements), so supporting your system makes all the difference. Now, how severe acne is can be linked to the relationship between the gut-brain-skin axis.
Simply put, there’s a strong tie between gut microbes, oral probiotics and nutrition. A happy, healthy gut needs the right food (diverse and with a plant-rich diet including whole foods and whole grains) and carefully selected supplementation. Your Skin Renewal doctor knows this and will treat acne as a holistic health diagnosis (from the inside out), helping you achieve a good gut.
The Other Side of Acne: Treatment For Best Results
Acne treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Melanin-rich skins may tackle PIH and dark marks after the breakout (the skin injury). So treatment should be done for your specific needs and to heal the acne and what it’s left behind. Think of it as an overall approach. So, while a superficial chemical peel (like an Azelaic Peel) helps exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores, those with actual scarring and needing collagen stimulation may need the support of laser treatment. Chat with your Skin Renewal medical aesthetic doctor about the solution (or combined treatment) that is best for you:
- Limelight™: Reduces redness and pigmentation caused by acne.
- Laser Genesis®: Stimulates collagen production, reducing the appearance of acne scars.
- Carboxytherapy: Enhances circulation to support the healing process.
- PDT with Red and Blue Light: Blue light destroys acne-causing bacteria, while red light reduces inflammation.
- Contact YAG: Targets deep acne lesions and scars for long-lasting results.
Support Team: Other Ways To Save Face
Acne management needs lifestyle swaps from avoiding UV exposure (actual sunbathing and incidental exposure) to shoring up your health with the right nutritional supplements. First, take note of life in the sun; it is known to worsen acne and cause (PIH); the latter needing in-clinic treatment to shift. Look at your make-up bag and check you’re wearing non-comedogenic (oil-free) make-up so you don’t clog pores. While you may feel like scrubbing those pimples right off the skin, this can only make them more inflamed and spread bacteria. Wash with a prescribed skin cleanser (your expert skin therapist will advise you) and follow their exfoliation advice. Resist squeezing or picking pimples, as this pushes more bacteria into the skin and can leave scars behind. Next, audit your eating; can you reduce high-fat, processed foods? Whole and nutrient-dense foods make for a cleaner diet, helping with skin health and weight management. If you need more assistance, look to the Skin Renewal RID diet for a sustainable eating plan to help your well-being. Supplemented with zinc (a potent anti-inflammatory) and vitamins A and E, it supports inflammation reduction and skin healing. Take note of Omega-3 Fatty Acids too. If you love salmon, you’re in luck, but you can also incorporate oral supplements into your nutritional arsenal.
Acne is one of those skin disorders that most of us have had to deal with at some point. However, no one has to “deal with it.” It can leave lasting scars, both physically and mentally. A holistic management approach means the correct diagnosis of what’s causing your breakouts, which makes all the difference in how you treat your skin. Book a consultation with Skin Renewal today to receive a personalised acne management plan tailored to your specific needs.