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Acne; the incurable myth. It’s a skin condition that has affected us all in some way or another. Whether that be battling against it yourself or supporting someone else who is, in 2015, acne was estimated to affect 633 million globally which makes it the 8th most common disease worldwide.
Acne occurs when hair follicles are blocked with dead skin cells and natural oil. Acne comes in many different forms on different people; from blackheads to under skin pimples and primarily affects areas of the skin high in oil glands. Unfortunately, the face is one of the main targets for acne and this can lead to anxiety, low self esteem and other more severe mental health problems.
We can all agree that acne is awful and that unfortunately, finding the right way to treat yours can be tough. However, amongst the stress and struggle that is dealing with the day to day turmoils of acne prone skin, there are ways to treat it and we’re going to tell you how:
Cut down on simple carbohydrates
By taking in fewer simple carbohydrates you will reduce your sugar intake which some studies have shown to reduce acne symptoms. Whilst this will not work in every case, if you’re working out ways to help your acne, try giving this a go and see what the results are.
Skin Peel
Skin peels are great for those with adult acne. They work by removing dead skin cells, thus de-clogging pores and cleaning the skin. The process also encourages new skin cells to grow which not only help to prevent acne returning but also help treat the scars too. Here at Skin Radiance, we offer 40% glycolic skin peels from the Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories skincare range which is non-invasive and low risk.
Medication
Using medication containing anti-inflammatories such as azelaic acid or antiseptic medication like benzoyl peroxide are a common treatment to help acne. It can be an easy and stress-free way to reduce the symptoms of although can have painful side effects such as skin irritation and unwanted peeling. They also may not work for everyone.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics and retinoids are suggested for bad cases of acne and can be either applied to the skin or taken orally. However, a big draw back to this is that a resistance to antibiotics may develop as a result of antibiotic therapy.
Drinking lots of water
It may seem simple, but often we (and therefore our skin) can be badly dehydrated and not necessarily know it. A result of this chronic dehydration is acne and bad skin. Drinking more water is a simple and easy way to help improve your skin and the rest of your health in general!
Birth control pills
For women, a variety of birth control pills have proven to be effective in the treatment of acne. Acne can be caused by too much testosterone and sebum and the hormones in birth control pills can help to counter these, thus reducing acne in some cases.
Microneedling
Microneedling is particularly effective at treating acne scars. It works by penetrating the dermis to create the growth of elastin and collagen which revitalises the skin and creates a new texture, tone and layer. It also triggers the body’s own natural healing, replacing the damaged skin that was there before. You can go deeper than the top layer of skin to reach acne scars and get rid of them for good.
Each case of acne is very different and effects everyone in different ways. These are just a handful of ideas on how to treat acne and potential methods you could try. If in doubt, always see your doctor.
