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Relax Your Way to Clearer Skin

Studies prove that stress levels have a direct effect on acne, particularly teen acne. One study showed that teens experiencing high levels of stress were 23% more likely to experience an inflammatory acne breakout, something no one wants to deal with when they’re already stressed. But, why does stress make acne worse? Read on to learn why breakouts are more likely to occur when you’re stressed and which acne tips will help you restore clarity to your complexion.

Stress aggravates acne in two ways. First, it stimulates the production of hormones, one of the main causes of acne. Secondly, it slows the healing process, causing acne to last longer. The combination of these two actions lead to a blemished complexion, which can then cause self-esteem issues and even more stress, leading to a seemingly inescapable cycle of stress and acne.

So, what can you do to banish your stress-related breakouts? The answer is obvious: reduce stress. Unfortunately, reducing stress isn’t as simple as realizing that it needs to be done. Luckily for stressed acne sufferers, there are a few things you can do that work as a treatment for acne and a treatment for stress.

1. Get a facial. Facials make a great adult acne treatment and are thoroughly relaxing as well. A facial begins a gentle face cleansing and exfoliation to remove any makeup, dirt, debris and excess oils from the surface of the skin. Then, your esthetician will look at your skin under a bright light to reveal any problem areas. He or she will then extract blackheads or whiteheads if your skin is in need of such a procedure and you are comfortable with it being done. (Sometimes extractions can be too painful or uncomfortable for those with sensitive skin.) Finally, your esthetician will perform a soothing face massage and apply a skin care mask, allowing you to bask in relaxation while the mask rejuvenates the skin.
2. Use an at-home face mask. When facials are too expensive or time-consuming, a perfect alternative is to use an acne treatment mask formulated for home use. These masks are easy to apply and provide fantastic results for a fraction of the cost of an in-office facial. While your mask is working to clarify the skin, you can soak in the tub, read a magazine or do whatever helps you to unwind and regain a calm sense of self.
3. Get a massage. While a massage may not seem like a way to get rid of acne, it can be! Massages release built-up toxins in the body and help to expel them, resulting in a healthier body and, therefore, healthier skin. Plus, it is well-known that massages are one of the best way to release stress. If a professional massage isn’t in your budget, trade massages with a friend or that special someone.

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Let’s Get Scrubbing!

Exfoliating the skin is an important step in every skin care regimen. The main purpose of exfoliation is remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells in order to achieve a healthier look and feel. Exfoliation also works to smooth and soften the skin, reduce visible signs of aging, restore radiance, and heal and prevent acne blemishes. Using chemical or physical exfoliating acne products will help unclog pores and remove impurities, leading to a clearer complexion.

Choosing the right exfoliation product is as easy as identifying your skin type. You may also want to choose a product based on active ingredients, depending on personal preferences and sensitivity levels. Some exfoliants are specially formulated to act as acne treatment products, making them a great choice for those who experience regular breakouts. Chemical exfoliants use gentle, safe acids (usually plant-derived acids) to exfoliate the skin without scrubbing. Physical exfoliants use beads, generally made from silicone or organic ingredients, to scrub away dead skin cells and debris. Both methods are safe and effective.

Exfoliating ingredients are found in many product types, including cleansers, lotions and masks. It is possible to over-exfoliate the skin, so you don’t want to build your regimen using only exfoliating products. Gentler exfoliants may be used every day; however harsher formulations, such as aggressive physical scrubs, should only be used once or twice per week as needed.

Oily Skin with Acne
When exfoliating oily skin, it is important to choose a formulation that will absorb excess oils and impurities. Chemical exfoliants that use glycolic acid work well on oily skin, as do exfoliants containing kaolin or bentonite clay. The latter ingredients are found mostly in acne treatment masks, such as the Clarifying Clay Masque by SkinCeuticals.

Dry Skin with Acne
Dry skin often needs the most exfoliation as it is more likely to develop a rough, flaky appearance. Using a creamy exfoliating cleanser will help restore moisture to dry and dehydrated skin while removing the dead skin cells that cause a dry appearance. Those with dry skin should not use formulations containing purifying clays, unless the formulation is specifically developed for dry skin.

Sensitive Skin with Acne
Those with sensitive skin need to take special care when exfoliating. Sensitive skin generally does best when exfoliated with a chemical formulation, although there are some physical exfoliant products that are safe for sensitive skin. It is best to avoid overly stripping formulations, such as those often used for oily skin, as they can aggravate sensitive skin. If your skin is too oily for a heavy, creamy exfoliant, look for a good “middle ground” product that will soothe the complexion without causing it to feel greasy or uncomfortable.

Mature Skin with Acne
Acne-prone mature skin is often difficult to treat, as many treatments for acne do not target visible signs of aging. However, there are products out there, such as MD Skincare’s Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, that will help clear acne while restoring a youthful appearance to the complexion.

Normal or Combination Skin with Acne
Normal and combination skin types are able to pick and choose whatever exfoliating adult acne treatment they prefer. Most normal skin types prefer creamier or more hydrating products, such as those used by dry skin types, while most combination skin types choose absorbent products to create a “squeaky clean” feeling.

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Lauric Acid: Potential Skin-Saver?

With so many striving to find gentler and more effective treatments for acne, it’s amazing that lauric acid has stayed under wraps for so long. Lauric acid is a saturated fatty acid, and the main acid in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It’s also found in cow’s milk, goat’s milk and human milk. It’s known for its ability to boost the metabolism and strengthen the immune system, but its antimicrobial effects are what make it seem promising for use as an acne treatment.

Dr. Huang, the researcher currently working on the P. acnes vaccine, believes that lauric acid would be especially useful in the fight against acne due to the fact that it’s endogenous, meaning that it already occurs in the human body. Because of this, lauric acid would be handled and tolerated by our bodies extremely well, allowing it to offer optimized benefits as an adult acne treatment.

When tested in the lab and in mouse ears, lauric acid yielded good results against P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne. However, because P. acnes isn’t the only factor when it comes to acne, this may or may not mean that lauric acid will be used in future acne treatment products. I, for one, hope to see lauric acid used because it is natural, inexpensive, non-toxic and has a long shelf life, all of which contribute to a gentle, user-friendly and affordable product.

Right now, coconut oil features the highest levels of lauric acid at 47.5%. Does this mean that coconut oil can be used as an acne treatment? Coconut oil is used by many as a moisturizer. It reduces dryness and flaking without causing any adverse effects. It also delays wrinkles and sagging skin, and helps treat eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis and other skin infections. Along with these benefits, the idea that coconut oil’s lauric acid content would provide antimicrobial benefits leaves us believing that it wouldn’t hurt to try it as a natural acne treatment!

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Light Therapy

Sunlight has long been believed to be an effective treatment for acne due to the antibacterial effects of the ultraviolet spectrum. Unfortunately, the sun’s UV rays are also notoriously damaging, making extended sun exposure too harmful to be used as an acne treatment. While studying the healing properties of UV light, scientists discovered that visible violet light in sunlight activates a porphyrin in P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne. This porphyrin kills P. acnes, resulting in a clearer and more beautiful complexion.

After this incredible discovery was made, light therapy, also known as phototherapy, was born, and light therapy devices soon followed. These devices use bright LED lights, fluorescent lamps or dichroic filament bulbs to target P. acnes bacteria. Studies have shown that after consecutive light therapy treatments, bacteria in the pores was reduced 99.9%. This means that light therapy is truly once of the best adult acne treatments available!

Light therapy is a great choice for those with skin sensitive to traditional acne treatment products, as well as those who prefer natural acne products. Phototherapy can be administered by a dermatologist or through an at-home light therapy device. Light therapy devices made for home use can supply incredible results when used consistently and correctly.

We’ve all been told time and again that the most important acne tip to remember is to let your pimples heal on their own. Sometimes, though, a pimple appears that simply begs to be popped. When a pimple has a full, white head and is all the way at the surface of the skin, it can be safe and even beneficial to drain the pus to relieve some of the redness and inflammation.

When popping a pimple, it is essential that you practice proper pimple-popping technique. Poor technique can lead to exacerbated inflammation and redness, longer healing time, infection and scarring, which could require professional acne scar treatments.

1) Begin by washing your hands and face. It’s a great idea to pop a pimple after a shower, as the warm water opens the pores and helps the skin to become supple.
2) Clean a sewing needle with rubbing alcohol, and gently prick the pimple’s surface. When pricking the pimple, take your time and be precise. Submerging the needle too far into the pimple will cause discomfort.
3) Wrap your index fingers with tissues or cotton balls and gently apply pressure with a down-and-in motion. If the pimple does not pop immediately, leave the bathroom! A pimple will pop when its ready, and forcing its early drainage can cause scarring.

If your pimple begins draining clear fluid or blood, be sure to cease your pimple popping foray. Your only goal should be to release the build-up of pus, which should be simple if the pimple is ready to pop. After the pus is drained, wash your face and hands a second time and let the pimple rest before applying any treatment products or makeup.

Important note: do not attempt to pop a cyst or nodule. It can result in infection and scarring! If you are experiencing cystic acne, consult your dermatologist for a professional acne treatment.

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Acne is something that almost everyone has had to deal with at some point in their lives. No matter how many acne tips one receives, it’s often impossible to escape those angry red breakouts.

Sadly, even after the acne is under control, many are left with acne scars that leave them feeling less confident about their appearance. Although these scars are not the bright attention-grabbers that exist during an acne breakout, they are definitely

able to make a statement all their own. Thankfully, there are many effective acne scar treatments available for recreating a healthy, smooth completion.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a great treatment for minor acne scarring. They also make a great acne treatment for active acne. Chemical peels use a blend of phenol, trichloroacetic acid and alphahydroxy acids to resurface the skin, leading to a smoother and more even complexion. These ingredients also provide anti-aging benefits by reducing the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, making chemical peels the perfect all-in-one treatment.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion or dermaplaning is a rather invasive procedure, however it yields fantastic results. Ideal for use on shallow imperfections, dermabrasion is a surgical scraping of the skin. True, this procedure sounds a bit scary, but it is safe, common and truly effective. It may be used in conjunction with other acne scar treatments, including chemical peels, for faster or more profound results.

Microdermabrasion

As the name suggests, microdermabrasion is a lesser form of dermabrasion. It works in a similar manner, the main difference being that it removes a finer layer of skin cells. This results in less dramatic results. However, microdermabrasion is a fantastic choice if your acne scarring is minor, or if your budget is tighter. Microdermabrasion also offers anti-aging and rejuvenative benefits.

Punch Techniques

Punch techniques are used on deep acne scars, also known as “ice pick” or “boxcar” scars. Your doctor will remove the scarred tissue and repair the complexion with sutures or, in more severe cases, replacement of the tissue. While punch techniques are more invasive than other acne scar treatments, they are one of the best ways to improve the appearance of excessive or deep acne scars.

In addition to these in-office procedures, there are many acne scar treatments available for use at home. These include cleansers, lotions and treatment products created with alpha or beta hydroxy acids, topical formulas created with vitamin A, botanically-based products, and even at-home microdermabrasion products. Speak with your dermatologist to find the best acne scar treatment for you.

While acne has long been considered a teenage concern, many adults also suffer from this common skin condition. Causes may include everything from stress to heredity to hormonal changes. While there are a dizzying amount of creams, lotions, masks and other acne products on the market, adult acne sufferers must seek out specifically formulated treatments that take into consideration the differences in adult and teenage skin.

Adults benefit the most from products with botanical ingredients like tea tree oil, glycolic acid, aloe vera and anti-aging ingredients. With the myriad of treatments and products available, our focus at acneresource.org is to provide you with the most accurate information possible to help you both heal and beautify your skin.