When many of us think of acne, we picture the awkward teen years with youthful faces covered in red blemishes. But what many people don’t realize is that acne doesn’t exclusively affect teens—the skin condition can strike at any age. Much of it comes down to the environment you live in, your lifestyle and hormonal irregularities.
Adult acne affects 85 per cent of females and 15 per cent of males, so it’s important to know how to treat it and when to turn to the experts. And our staff members at ReNue are certainly experts, as acne is one of the most common skin conditions we treat in our clinics.
Here are the three types of acne we commonly see and ways we can help you ReNue your clear skin.
Three common types of acne:
1. Cystic
Cystic acne happens when big stubborn bumps form deep underneath the epidermis. This type of blemish is usually a result of pores getting clogged with bacteria, oil, or dead skin cells. Cystic acne can also be caused by hormonal changes. (We feel you.)
2. Pustular
Pustular acne is when a pore is filled with pus, sebum (oil), and cell debris. Pustules are often yellow or white at the base of the bump and will ooze if popped (which we do not recommend doing). They usually grow near oil glands (e.g., your face, back, chest, and shoulders).
Pustular acne can be treated using over-the-counter products like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and/or retinoids. However, medical grade skincare products, and regular skin maintenance can help prevent them altogether. Luckily, our staff at ReNue can you help you out with both.
3. Open/closed comedones
Comedones are the most basic type of acne and happen when a hair follicle gets clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
There are two types:
Open comedones (a.k.a. blackheads): Open comedones — you guessed it — are open pores exposed to air. Blackheads form when a hair follicle in the skin becomes backed up with dead skin cells and oil. Since it’s open to air, the oil oxidizes within the pore, thereby creating a black appearance.
Closed comedones: Unlike open comedones, pores are not exposed to air with closed comedones. (Hence why it’s called “closed.”) This is also why these spots don’t have a black colour. Closed comedones look like little bumps that aren’t red or inflamed like other pimples, and occur when the hair follicle swells from being totally blocked with cells and oil. Sometimes, closed comedones can turn into whiteheads if bacteria invade the follicle.
If you are prone to getting comedones, make sure you are cleaning your face often and using any of our clinic’s non-comedogenic products.
How to treat them:
Here at ReNue, we offer three skin treatments that can help resolve acne.
1. Laser acne treatments
Laser therapy is considered a gold standard and “shows great promise” for killing acne bacteria. It can be used to penetrate the skin with or without controlled injury to target porphyrins and thermally suppress the sebaceous glands which are responsible for causing acne and other uncomfortable symptoms.
This is a great (and quick) way to clear up acne, including scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Patients often see improvement in acne scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from any of the three laser treatments we offer in our clinics: Photo Rejuvenation (IPL), BelaMD, or Sciton® JOULE™. Results can be seen in as little as one treatment, though optimal results are seen after a series of treatments.
Visit ReNue for your complimentary consultation to find out what treatment is best suited for you!
2. Medical grade peels (Perfect Derma Peel)
Another way to immediately improve your skin’s texture is by booking a medical grade peel.
Applying natural mild acids clears acne-causing dead skin cells and speeds up exfoliation so your healthy, clear skin can reemerge. Medical grade peels for acne include salicylic acid to kill the P-acnes bacteria, and glycolic acid to remove dead skin cells and relieve congested pores. The peels used at ReNue can be customized with additional ingredients to help with inflammation and lighten post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
3. Microdermabrasion (BelaMD)
Microdermabrasion is the third treatment we offer in our clinic that will make a world of difference when it comes to acne.
First, the technician will apply a topical serum that directly targets acne. Then, the microdermabrasion machine will penetrate acne-prone skin to exfoliate by removing dead skin with a diamond-tip pen. Medium frequency electromechanical stimulation anti-oxidizes the skin and improves cell uptake.
We also have incredibly effective products to use at home. Here are some of our favourite treatments that can help clear up acne. (And good news: if you purchase a Vivier serum and the Ultra Purifying Clay Mask this month, you’ll get 15% off two chemical peels. Acne is no match for that lineup.)
4. Vivier Medicated Wash
This product is an antimicrobial PH-balanced medicated cleanser. This all-in-one product will deep clean your pores to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria. This should be the first step in your morning routine.
5. Vivier Ultra Purifying Mask
At your first sign of acne, apply the Vivier Ultra Purifying Mask and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. The red and white kaolin clay, alpha hydroxy acids, and salicylic acid will unclog pores by drawing out any impurities, sucking up any excess oil, and minimizing the look of pores.
6. Vivier Acne Treatment Lotion
This lotion should be the final step in your acne-clearing skincare routine as it will actively work to clear your existing pimples by killing bacteria. It does double duty by being non-comedogenic (like all of our products), preventing the formation of new ones.
If you’re struggling with acne, don’t hesitate to book a free consultation at one of our clinics or reach out for further info. Any of our staff members will be happy to assess your personal skincare needs.