Managing acne: The 3 factors you need to understand
If you struggle with acne, you might know that severe or ongoing breakouts are often notoriously difficult to treat. Why? Because acne can be triggered by several different factors, so identifying the cause of your acne is a big part of finding the right treatment approach for you.
Acne is an inflammatory disease, but it affects everyone differently and needs to be treated in a personalised way. You might find short-term relief with a combination of topical treatments and medications, but this won’t provide a long-term solution.
There are three basics of healthy skin which must be considered before embarking on an acne treatment plan: an intact skin barrier, a balanced microbiome, and a natural skin pH. Optimising these three factors can slow the progression of acne and reduce its severity.
Skin barrier
Your skin barrier regulates the moisture leaving your skin and protects your body from potentially harmful toxins. If this barrier is impaired, your skin can become dehydrated and inflamed. Your skin barrier must be healthy before you use topical acne treatments, as these can cause more damage if the barrier is damaged.
Many over-the-counter acne remedies can actually degrade the skin barrier which leads to a worse inflammatory response. Once a healthy skin barrier is achieved, other acne treatments will be more effective.
Microbiome
The skin microbiome is a community of microorganisms that form a protective layer on the skin’s surface, protecting against bacteria, yeast and mould. Everyone has a unique skin microbiome, but an imbalanced microbiome can reduce microorganism diversity, leading to many common skin problems including acne. Certain pre-, pro- and post-biotics can help facilitate the proper balance of skin microbiome.
Natural pH
You might have heard of pH-balanced products, but what does that actually mean? The skin pH is the measure of its alkalinity or acidity. The skin’s natural pH level is around 4.5 – 5.0. If it becomes too high, the microbiome can become imbalanced which leads to an over-production of bacteria. Changing pH levels can also impair your skin barrier, resulting in skin inflammation and dehydration.
Manage symptoms of congested or oily skin such as acne, shine, blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores.
Congested or oily skin usually has clogged pores (developing as blackheads or whiteheads) and appears greasy and shiny across your forehead, nose and chin. The excess oil makes your skin more prone to acne breakouts.
Balancing your skin to eliminate pollutants and reduce oiliness is an important part of caring for it. Eliminate congestion and oil and restore a natural, balanced complexion with a range of treatments tailored for acne-prone skin.
It is important that your Skin Doctor considers your overall skin health – and particularly these three factors – when prescribing a treatment plan for your acne. Understanding the skin barrier, microbiome and natural pH creates the optimal foundation from which to begin a treatment regime, therefore delivering more effective results.
How to treat acne
An effective acne treatment may include:
HydraFacial
Deeply cleanse, decongest pores, and hydrate your skin with antioxidant and nourishing serums in the revolutionary 3-in-1 HydraFacial, for an instant glow.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is ideal to achieve a refreshed complexion, stimulate collagen production and target sun damage, clogged pores, and uneven skin tone.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels can be tailored to oily, dry or ageing skin to improve congestion, acne, pigmentation, and ageing concerns - for healthier, radiant skin.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning or epi-blading removes dead skin cells, debris and fine “peach fuzz” facial hair, for a smooth and bright complexion and healthier looking skin.
If you would like to speak to a Skin Doctor or Skin Therapist about your skin concerns, please call us or book your appointment online.
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