Acne is caused by infected hair follicles. The sebaceous gland creates sebum, which is an oily, waxy substance. When the hair follicle pore becomes clogged with dirt or dead skin cells (keratin), the sebum cannot be excreted and becomes susceptible to bacteria. This can develop into an infection, which creates acne in several different forms. There are MANY things that can cause the infected hair follicle: dead skin cell build up, hormones, a greasy environment, even stress.
If acne is severe, a dermatologist should be consulted because it might be a factor related to something else, or the dermatologist can provide a prescription topical or oral medication for the acne. Over the counter (OTC) products can help mild acne or occasional breakouts. Active OTC ingredients that have been proven effective for acne include Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. It is the ingredients that help solve acne problems, not scrubbing. If you have acne, avoid scrubbing or even exfoliating too frequently because that can damage the skin and actually make the acne worse.
Daily, consistent skincare is a lifestyle treatment for acne. In addition to diet and stress reduction to help control acne, cleansing and treating your facial skin will consistently keep the sebum production under control and help solve acne flare ups.
Enlarged pores are follicles that have been clogged with sebum, which makes the pore dilated, so it looks larger and more visible. (Pores are always open and present, but they usually don’t look visibly open.) Oily or oil producing skin makes pores look larger, so reducing the oil will contribute to a smoother looking skin. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser, preferably one with salicylic acid to exfoliate the pore and the skin’s surface. TRY Clearskin® Professional Deep Pore Cleansing Scrub with Salicylic Acid Moisturize with a lightweight lotion, not a cream. TRY Anew Vitale Day Lotion SPF 25
Blackheads are open comedones which are filled with sebum and keratin at the opening. The “black” is not dirt, it is actually the melanin that is present in the sebum and when it is exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns darker.
Whiteheads and pimples are closed comedones that have trapped bacteria and are inflamed and swollen from infection. Once a whitehead has developed, it becomes more difficult to treat. The best thing is to work to prevent closed comedones by cleansing daily. Whiteheads should never be “popped” at home; pins or extractors can never be sterilized enough and will cause bacteria to spread and contribute to skin scarring. Severe acne can be treated by a licensed esthetician or dermatologist.
Papules and pustules are more infected versions of pimples. As the bacteria increases, white blood cells attempt to destroy it, which can lead to further swelling and inflammation. Pustules may even have a yellow center. The white gunk that oozes from a large broken pimple is pus, which is a delightful combination of dead skin cells, bacteria and infection. TRY Clearskin® Blemish Clearing Overnight Treatment I also use a spot treatment of tea tree oil on painful whiteheads. Dip a cotton swab into the tea tree oil and apply directly onto the pimple area on freshly cleansed skin.
Milia are hardened chunks of keratin that are trapped just below the skin’s surface. They look like tiny pimples, but they do not look red or inflamed, don’t increase in size and do not go away like a pimple might over time. While the best way to remove these is with lancing at an esthetician’s office, milia can be reduced with microdermabrasion and prevented with daily cleansing and a sunscreen (because sun damage is a contributor). If the milia are really bothersome but you don’t want to head to the esthetician, TRY Anew Clinical Resurfacing Expert Smoothing Fluid
Nodules and cysts are
buried beneath the skin’s surface. Nodules are hard spots of keratin, and cysts
are filled with pus under the skin. Both can hurt! If you have nodules or cysts
you really should be seeing a dermatologist for treatment. For severe acne
treatment at home, but you cannot afford a recommended product such as
Proactiv, TRY Clearskin® Professional Acne Treatment System
Damage done? If you have been cursed with severe acne, or you used extraction methods that left scarring, you may have acne marks, redness, acne scars, or pick marks. Your skin has essentially been damaged, and it can take some serious effort to make your skin smooth and elastic again.
- Texture problems? Skin texture can look bumpy, uneven or leathery. TRY Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel with Glycolic Acid . It is like having a glycolic peel at home!
- Discoloration or hyperpigmentation? Redness or other discoloration of the skin can occur after acne breakouts. TRY Anew Clinical Absolute Even Multi-Tone Skin Corrector . The advanced formula reduces the look of 7 types of discoloration: dark spots, uneven skin tone, post acne marks, brown patches, blotchy red patches, freckles, and sallowness.
- Acne scars? Do you have visible acne scars that appear like enlarged pores, craters or keloids? Microdermabrasion can work to correct the visibility of scarring, but if you aren’t ready to head to your esthetician for that, TRY Anew Clinical Resurfacing Expert Smoothing Fluid . It is 79% as effective as a professional microdermabrasion.
