Treating Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions. It occurs mainly in adolescence but can occur at any age as well. Especially in recent years it occurs in women over 30 or older.

Acne occurs equally in both sexes and can even create serious problems in social life. Common acne is characterised by open and closed comedones (appeared as blackheads or whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and in severe cases by cysts. Acne can be found mostly in those places where the sebum glands are numerous and present greater activity, in areas like the face and especially on the forehead, the upper back, and chest.

How does acne form?

Acne can be appeared due to the entrapment of sebum and dead skin cells in the pores, in combination with the bacteria present in the epidermis. Acne can be caused by or affected by other hormonal disorders as well. In severe cases acne can get inflamed.

What causes acne?

Most commonly acne is a cause of hormone levels that are imbalanced (especially during changes with menstruation), by some hair cosmetic products that come in contact with the skin or any other cosmetics (specially the non-oil free ones) and make-up products, pollution, bad diet, stress, and by the way someone handles wounds and pimples (e.g picking and scratching).

How do I treat my acne-prone skin?

An acne-prone skin needs proper cleansing of the blocked pores, to remove any pollutants, dead skin cells, and the dust that settles on skin’s surface. You need to choose appropriate cleansers that when they’re used, they don’t remove all the natural skin’s lipids, leaving the skin dry. Because excessive cleansing of the skin can lead to an increase in sebum secretion as a reaction to protect the skin’s natural barrier. Cleansing is also important for the skin to stop the growth of acne bacteria as well. Cleansing needs to be gentle and not with harsh rubbing because it can cause irritation to a possibly already irritated area. Makeup products can be used if it’s necessary, but only if they’re non-comedogenic and oil-free formulas, this means that should be free of oils and other fatty ingredients. It’s important that your skin needs is cleansed every morning and night time, using a mild cleansing product with antibacterial action that fights acne and at the same time soothes the skin. After that, you can use a lotion that eliminates excess oiliness and dirt from the skin and minimises dilated big pores. The next step is your treatment serum and of course to moisturise your skin with a non-oily product that prevents clogging of the pores. Once a week you can apply a cleansing scrub as a mask that removes excess oil and dirt, reducing acne inflammation. You should not forget to end your skincare with a sunscreen in the day.

What products should I use for acne?

We recommend you start a skincare at home with the following medical grade products of AlumierMD.

Acne Clarifying Cleanser

This non-comedogenic cleanser is ideal for acne-prone skin, that treats existing acne blemishes and helps prevent new breakouts. Its main active ingredient is salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties and deeply cleanses pores and exfoliates dead skin cells. The oligopeptide-10 works synergistically with salicylic acid to decrease P. acnes bacterium. The aloe, honey, boswellia serata and rice bran extract that also contains soothe and hydrate the skin.

Bright and Clear Solution

This is an after-cleansing product, a skin conditioning solution, that refines skin complexion. It contains 3% of lactic acid and Lime Pearl (AHAs) that gently exfoliate dead skin cells, and 0,25% of salicylic acid that refines pores. It also has arnica and oat that calm and soothe the skin.

Enzymatic peel

An exfoliation product to use at nighttime once or twice a week (depending on your skin profile), that promotes cell renewal by exfoliating dead skin cells, by combining 10% of lactic acid with other fruit enzymes. It also contains aloe to calm the skin and vitamin B5 and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate and soften it for a radiant complexion. It’s applied as a mask, with an even thin layer on the entire face and neck leaving it on for about 3 to 5 minutes and after removing it by rinsing thoroughly with warm water.

Retinol Resurfacing serum 0,25/0,50/1

This product can be used for exfoliation, which is a vitamin A derivative exfoliating serum that can be used only in the evening after cleansing as vitamin A can be destroyed by sunlight when exposed and make skin more sensitive. This encapsulated slow release retinol serum improves acne by unclogging pores. It also reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves texture and tone by stimulating collagen and speeding cell turnover, as well as lessens hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin transfer from melanocytes to skin cells. Also contains vitamin B3, honey and hyaluronic acid to increase tolerability and one more of the active ingredients called Matrixyl Synthe’6 penetrates deep into the dermis to boost the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid. You must start slowly to use this product like every 2 to 3 days and gradually increase frequency to nightly as skin adjusts.

Acne Balancing serum

A non-comedogenic formula to use in the morning and evening time, that helps to treat acne but also allows the skin to heal and prevents new acne lesions from forming. It contains 2% of salicylic acid, oligopeptide-10, and resveratrol (a substance derived from red grapes with antioxidant action) to decrease P. acnes bacteria. Also, the hinokitiol and sea whip as ingredients relieve redness and inflammation, while honey, aloe and rice bran extract soothe and moisturize. Vitamin B3 and sodium hyaluranate maintain skin’s natural protective barrier on its surface.

HydraSmooth Moisturiser

An ultra-weight and non-comedogenic formula that you can use day and night time as it helps to target and treat the acne-prone skin. Encapsulated 1% salicylic acid deeply penetrates pores to remove dead skin cells and prevent any further acne lesions. Hinokitiol, resveratrol and oligopeptide-10 are natural ingredients effective in fighting P. acnes, while sea whip and aloe decrease redness and inflammation. It’s also included allantoin and vitamin E that maintain skin’s moisture and balance.

HydraClarite Moisturiser

A moisturising ultra-lightweight and non-comedogenic formula for morning and evening time. It’s rich in antioxidants hydrator specially formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin. An ingredient called Hinokitiol that contains is antibacterial, and the sea whip soothes, while Allantoin and honey maintain the skin’s moisture balance. Apply gently with upwards massage moves on your face, neck, and decollete area 1 to 2 pumps after your serum.

Clear Shield Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 42

An un-tinted formula and also non-comedogenic that protects against the UVA and UVB sun rays. It’s free from chemical filters as it only contains natural ones such as Zinc Oxide and titanium dioxide. With vitamin B3 to soothe the skin and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate it. Always apply at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours if it’s needed.

Can I have facial treatments with a therapist to treat my acne?

After your first visit in a beauty clinic, you will have your consultation, a specialist will tailor and customise a treatment just for your skin concerns. Acne can be treated only if it’s mild and not in a severe and inflamed level, because in these cases is needed first a medical advice. Treatments that are recommended to fight acne are the chemical peels by AlumierMD, also for acne and acne scarring as well is greatly beneficial a Hydrafacial GlySal boost course that includes also blue led light therapy. The ultimate acne scarring aid is the Skinpen treatment that will help with renewing the tissue by boosting naturally collagen production.

For any further information you can contact and book a consultation with us!