The Acne Bootcamp
Acne is a skin concern that most of us have dealt with at some point in our lives. People of all ages get acne, but it appears a lot in teens and young adults. When acne appears during the teenage years, it is often more common in males. Acne can continue into adulthood, and when it does, it tends to be more women who suffer with it. Acne is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles under our skin become clogged. Sebum helps keep the skin from drying out and dead skin cells clog our pores, which leads to outbreaks of pimples and impurities. Most often than not, these breakouts occur on the face but they can also appear on our back, chest, and shoulders too!
Specialising in all skin health areas, with a specific emphasis on the treatment and management of acne and rosacea, Dr Laura clinic designs personalised therapies tailored to each patient’s skin concerns and goals so that we can help you achieve optimal results.
In today's post we want to focus on different ways you treat and look after your acne so you can feel your very best…
Use a gentle cleanser:
When washing your face in the morning and evening time, it is absolutely crucial that you use a gentle cleanser on your skin over a harsh soap to remove excess oils and dirt, such as the Obagi Gentle Cleanser. A cleanser that is gentle on the skin will also help to repair and rebuild the lipid barrier, the layer on top of the skin designed to protect the deeper layers from irritation. I would also recommend double cleansing in the evening time to make sure you are getting rid of every bit of dirt on your face. Using a face cloth or a scrubber isn’t necessary as well, feel free to use the tips of your fingers and remember to not be too harsh on your skin, the gentler you are, the more likely you are to heal and clear your skin.
Avoid using abrasive products
I’ll say it before and I’ll say it again, please try to avoid using abrasive products in your skincare routine! Using products that are harsh on the skin can often end up stripping the skin completely and making acne worse. Let’s take a look at scrubs for example….we all love the feeling of having smooth skin, however with some scrubs, by removing dead skin cells, they allow oil, dirt, bacteria and so on that were trapped deep within pores to come to the surface of the skin.
Avoid picking those scars and blemishes!
We’re all prone to picking at our skin when we notice a new blemish or acne scar, but this is a habit we must try to avoid. Not only can burst blemish damage the skin and cause scarring, squeezing and picking can also lead to infection which we really don’t want!
Don’t forget your SPF
Discolouration and acne scars are super common after-effects for those who suffer with acne-prone skin. It’s extremely important to use sunscreen daily so that these skin concerns don't worsen.
I always advise to be especially careful with your sun exposure when you’re on an acne treatment regimen. These medications are filled with ingredients like retinoids and salicylic acid that can make the skin more sensitive to sunburn and sun damage. Certain physical treatments, too, can leave your skin barrier thinner and more vulnerable to which will worsen discoloration in acne scars and blemishes. Pop on a bit of SPF 50 in the morning before you leave the house and reapply throughout the day to protect your skin from those harmful sun days!
Look for active ingredients in your products
The active ingredients you should be looking out for in your products totally depends on the type of acne you have and your skin type. In general, I would recommend cleansers and acne treatments that contain one of four active ingredients:
- Benzoyl peroxide available in prescription products
- Salicylic acid (Obagi Clenziderm Foaming Cleanser)
- Retinol (Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5)
These ingredients tend to dry the skin and help prevent acne formation!
I know it feels like a bit of a chore, but ensuring that you wash your makeup brushes regularly will also do wonders for your skin in the long run.
Join our acne bootcamp
Here at the clinic for our acne patients we know the benefit of salicylic acid peels & are big fans of the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance. After your initial consultation with Dr. Laura, we will decide if you are suitable for the Acne Bootcamp. It will consist of six Obagi Blue Peel Radiance over a six month period alongside all other benefits mentioned above. This specific type of treatment is a superficial salicylic acid-based facial peel that gently exfoliates and aids to improve the skin's overall complexion. The peel is designed to provide tighter, smoother, brighter-looking skin after just 1 use.
We are also delighted to be able to offer our ‘Acne Bootcamp Deluxe’. The deluxe Acne Bootcamp is a 12 month membership that includes the initial six Obagi Blue Peel Radiance alongside a further 6 sessions of SkinPen Micro-needling. If you want to work a little bit more on texture, scarring or post inflammatory erythema / hyperpigmentation then the deluxe would be perfect for you. SkinPen microneedling basically involves controlled micro-injuries that aim to stimulate and help our body's natural wound healing process. This treatment is designed to help with the remodelling of collagen and elastin whilst also reducing the signs of ageing.
To book in for one of our bootcamps click here.