Top tips for getting rid of acne & acne treatments
In regard to acne, many people immediately think of juvenile acne and consider this problem as something that only occurs in adolescence and resolves itself in adulthood.
Of course, this is not true. Acne is a widespread problem that can occur at any age. Of course, for hormonal reasons, acne often first appears during the years of hormonal development and imbalance. Indeed, sometimes after this phase, it diminishes and disappears. In some cases, however, acne can reappear years later, or even appear for the first time in adulthood in people who have never suffered from it before.
So how do you treat and get rid of acne? Let's find out everything there is to know about the best acne treatments and remedies.
What is acne?
Acne is considered a skin condition involving the sebaceous glands at the base of the hair follicles. It affects 3 out of 4 people, particularly between the ages of 11 and 30, but can persist for years. Although it is a skin disease, it is not dangerous, but once acne is gone it can leave permanent scars on the skin.
How to choose a treatment?
The most appropriate treatment for acne depends mainly on its severity and persistence, but also on its underlying cause.
The factors that favour the appearance of acne are: genetic predisposition, oily skin, menstrual cycle, lifestyle and diet.
Also, the influence of anxiety, stress, hot and humid climates and the type of make-up used should not be underestimated. An element that we are facing more during this pandemic is that the wearing of a mask on a daily basis also plays a role in the development of acne.
Effective acne treatments at its onset can prevent years of breakouts and possible scarring
Your first consultation
During your first consultation, the dermatologist will focus their attention on trying to understand the origin of your acne. To do this, they will ask you questions about your skin and your normal routine.
Here are some examples of the data they will need:
- your type of acne (blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, etc.)
- the areas most prone to acne
- whether you have already undergone one or more treatments
- your age
- when you first started to have acne
- your skin care routine and any marks left by the acne
The severity of the acne can range from very mild to very severe. Once the analysis is complete, your healthcare professional will propose a personalised course of acne treatments and will indicate or provide the tools for a suitable treatment.
The different treatments
What are the different medicinal types of acne treatments?
Acne treatments often come in the form of medicines:
- topical treatments: creams, gels or serums based on benzoyl peroxide or retinoids.
- oral treatments: treatments to be swallowed such as antibiotics, or oral retinoid for example. One of the best known treatments is Roaccutane, or anti-androgenic agents. For hormonal problems, the contraceptive pill may also be recommended.
- a combination of both: depending on the severity and origin of your acne, the two treatments can be complementary.
These are the most common treatments, but there are also other forms of acne treatment.
What are the different alternative acne treatments?
Treatments can also be carried out using certain technologies. These methods can be used to treat acne, but especially the marks left by this problem.
Chemical peeling:
Peeling is a treatment designed to improve the quality of the skin. This method consists of applying a corrosive chemical substance to the skin, which will eliminate, in a controlled and limited way, a more or less deep part of the epidermis, depending on the type of acid used. This peeling produces a delayed regeneration of the destroyed layers. The skin is renewed, cleaner and more uniform.
LED lamps:
The LED lights of phototherapy allow the skin to be treated and made more uniform. A session starts with the application of a photosensitising agent on the face, then the skin is exposed to a red or blue or yellow light, which will activate the drug previously applied to the skin, killing the bacteria that cause the inflammation. In addition, the lights help to reduce the sebaceous glands.
Laser treatments:
Several lasers exist to treat acne or scars. Your dermatologist will be able to advise you on the treatment best suited to your needs, the best known being the Nd:YAG laser or the C02 laser.
Mesotherapy or mesolift:
This treatment will regulate sebaceous production and/or fade acne scars. Mesotherapy consists of injecting the appropriate active substances with very fine needles according to the patient's needs. The substances may vary (amino acids, non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid, vitamins C, A, E, B5, etc.).
On a daily basis, as each face is different, we must adapt our skin care routine to our skin type. This is the key to success in seeing an improvement. Your dermatologist will be able to tell you your skin type and the products you can use. A healthy lifestyle and nutrition is essential in the fight against acne.
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