What is Acne?
Acne is one of most common skin diseases found in teenagers and young adults.
It is an inflammatory condition in which follicles become blocked with dead skin cells and the skin’s own natural oil, called sebum. When these clogged pores become infected with a bacteria found on the skin, it will lead to inflammatory lesions called papules and pustules, more commonly known as pimples. These can further develop into deeper inflammatory papules or acne cysts, which can be very painful. These deeper lesions have a high risk of producing permanent scarring or post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH).
There are 4 grades of severity in acne:
Grade I acne is considered a mild degree.
Grade II - moderate acne.
Grade III – moderate to severe
Grade IV acne is the most severe occurrence of acne.
Who can get Acne?
Acne is most commonly found in teens and young adults. It is more common in males during their teenage years than adulthood, whereas females tend to be more prone to adult acne. Acne most commonly affects the face, but can also be found the décolleté, chest, shoulders and back.
Treating Acne
Treatments for acne depend on the severity of the condition. In most cases, people that struggle with acne have very oily skin.
Grade I & II acne is generally considered non-inflammatory, with lesions such as comedones (blackheads) and papules. These are easily treated with proper home care products and regular facial treatments.
Grade III and IV acne are more severe forms of acne, in which pustules, cysts and nodules are common. In cases like these it is important to seek medical help as these lesions can lead to severe scaring if not treated correctly.
How to treat Acne
Treatments for acne depend on the severity of the condition.
As aestheticians we often see severe acne scarring caused by incorrect treatments and product use.
At Aesthetic Centre Olympia we advise all our clients to have a VISIA skin analysis done, before starting any skincare products or receiving a facial treatment. A VISIA skin analysis assists to find the right products and treatments for each client’s unique skincare concerns.
The Lamelle clarity range is ideal for acne prone skin.
Key Ingredients found in this range:
Salicylic Acid helps to break down the sebum build up in the follicles, and improves the skin natural cell turnover rate.
Tea Tree oil is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to soothe and relieve painful and irritated skin.
Retinol helps reduce the appearance of acne by increasing cell turnover and decreasing the production of oil.
When treating any skin condition it is vital to wear a SPF 50 at all times when exposed to sunlight. UV rays emitted by the sun cause harm to the structure of our DNA and can increase pigment production. In acne clients this will be known as PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
Regular treatments such as deep cleansing facials and chemical peels can help to manage acne alongside a good homecare regime. LED therapy can be done once a week to decrease oil production and fight p-acne bacteria.
