Acne, although more common amongst audiences aged 12-24, does not discriminate and can affect all ages and skin types. Adult acne, in particular, can result in more subsequent scarring, affecting your confidence, mood, and self-esteem.
In the ever-evolving beauty world, there are many ways to treat adult acne and scarring. Sometimes the sheer amount of treatments out there can make it confusing when trying to choose the proper treatment for you. Verve and the Global Beauty Group have teamed up with a highly trained and experienced therapist and educator to list 5 top tips for acne management.
1. Skincare
Introducing a personalised skincare regime helps treat acne and prevent future breakouts. Ingredients to look out for include:
- Niacinamide – This ingredient helps build keratin, a protein that helps keep your skin firm and healthy. It aids inflammatory forms, regulating oil flow and minimising redness, blotchiness, pore appearance, and much more. It also helps to treat hyperpigmentation and acne scarring.
- Salicylic Acid – This helps to unclog pores and to ease inflammation. Salicylic acid also dissolves the intracellular glue, which softens and loosens dry, scaly, or thickened skin, so skin exfoliation is more effective.
- Zinc – This ingredient reaps many benefits. It helps in regenerating cells and battling inflammation and open wounds. In addition, it helps balance the skin’s oil production, reduces the appearance of large pores, evens out pigmentation and enhances collagen synthesis.
- Vitamin A/Retinol – We have all heard about vitamin A, especially in the form of Retinol. It helps to increase cellular turnover, improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and reduce oil production. It also helps your skin’s texture, making it look and feel softer and smoother, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles.
- AHAs and Chemical Exfoliants – Acid-based exfoliants usually contain AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids). AHAs are plant-derivative, traditionally made from high sugar content fruits or milk. They help peel away the surface of your skin, making way for new and more evenly pigmented skin. The two main AHAs include glycolic acid, made from sugar, and lactic acid, made from milk. Although the term ‘acid’ may sound intimidating, they are very gentle.
The right ingredients for your skin are crucial when building your skincare collection; however, being patient is also essential. Give enough time for your new products to work their magic, and strictly stick to your regime, so you don’t overload your skin. When trying out new products, introduce 1 or 2 fresh ingredients at a time to see if your skin reacts favourably. Sensitive skin will benefit from mild non-comedogenic products or the sensitive range of your skincare.
2. Hygiene
Hygiene is always essential. Washing your face twice daily and after exercise will help prevent clogged pores and excess oil production. Avoiding picking or popping prevents the spread of infection and forming scars, and make sure to wash your phone, pillowcases, masks, etc., regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Acne-prone skin is susceptible, so that any unnecessary scrubbing can create or worsen scars. In addition, avoiding granules or gritty texture cleansers can further irritate your skin and aggravate any active pimples. Instead, opting for a gentle cleanser with glycolic or salicylic acids is beneficial when unclogging pores.
3. Treatments to clear, decongest and exfoliate
Exfoliating treatments are a great way to re-texturise your skin, helping reduce scarring, pore appearance, excess oil, and acne scarring.
The Carbon Facial (China-Doll Facial) is a laser procedure to enhance your skin’s radiance and promote a smooth and glowing complexion. This treatment uses a Q-switched laser, and a liquid or créme carbon is applied to the face. The energy from the laser absorbs the carbon and then shatters it into particles. As the carbon is blasted off the area, it removes dead epidermal cells, acne-causing bacteria, and excess oil. This treatment promotes cellular turnover, leaves you with fresh, clear skin, and reduces the severity of active acne. The Carbon Facial is quick, gentle, and non-invasive, with no downtime and instantly visible results.
4. Treatments to treat active acne and prevent future breakouts
IPL Acne management programs and treatment with an IPL Machine – IPL stands for intense pulsed light and uses a range of different coloured lights of a range of wavelengths, which are then pulsed onto the skin’s surface. IPL is beneficial for targeting and killing acne-causing bacteria deep in the skin and rapidly dries up any acne on the surface. This cull of bacteria will reduce future breakouts by slowing down oil production, dramatically reducing pimples, treating inflammation, reducing any pigmentation, including acne scarring, and minimising pore appearance. However, this treatment only benefits people experiencing active acne and will not work for congestion or blackheads.
Microdermabrasion Machine Treatments – Microdermabrasion machines are able to treat a wider array of skin types with an adjustable level of abrasion while simultaneously infusing the skin with tailored skin corrective ingredients to yield even better, more outstanding clinical results.
LED Blue Light Therapy – LED therapy is a light-based treatment that uses specific wavelengths to target distinct layers of the skin. This treatment is non-invasive and helps to specifically target and kill acne-causing bacteria, as well as control sebum production, helping to prevent further breakouts. LED therapy is safe, gentle and painless and can work in conjunction with other acne remedies. You will notice results within 2-4 weeks, sometimes sooner, but for best results, your therapist will most likely recommend a series of 3-6 sessions over a 4-6 week period, but this will be tailored to the needs of your skin.
5. Diets/Supplements/Lifestyle
Although this isn’t an overnight fix, introducing healthy habits into your diet and lifestyle will benefit you immensely long-term. Studies have shown that introducing supplements such as Zinc, and Fish Oil (or other Omega fatty acids) are great for aiding in wound healing and helping with hydration and inflammation. In addition, avoiding stimulants in your diet such as sugar, dairy, carbohydrates, and processed foods will help prevent future breakouts. Taking baby steps and removing one thing from your diet can help identify what your skin stimulants are.
Exercise is excellent for detoxifying, and avoiding stress makes room for a healthier mindset, subsequently affecting the condition of your skin. Calming activities such as daily walks, yoga, running, etc., can help improve your skin and mental health.
Acne is a language we all understand, but everyone’s skin is different, so what works for one person may not work for you. So don’t despair if you haven’t found the treatment that’s right for you. Instead, try a multi-pronged approach and test what works for your skin and what doesn’t. Investing in some good skincare and being persistent with your regime will help boost results from any treatment you may get, and many of these tips listed above work in tandem with each other.
There is no one size fits all – keep trying until you find a combination that works for you!
“Acne is a multi-factorial condition, so addressing a number of factors is the best approach. Combining in-clinic treatments with skincare, diet, and lifestyle factors will enable you to reach your skin goals quickly. Working with a professional to guide you through the process is a great way to develop a tailored treatment plan and avoid getting overwhelmed with information.”
- Elise Andrews, Dermal Educator at The Global Beauty Group
Words: Annabelle Taurua for The Global Beauty Group
