You thought it was over, didn’t you? With your teenage years safely behind you, acne was the last thing you thought you’d be dealing with as an adult. But there it is, and it always seems to come on when you have something important planned…like a wedding. Dealing with acne takes patience, but these five treatments can help you reduce the appearance and even the frequency when done consistently.
#5 Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (IPL)
The IPL photo facial is one of the most promising advancements in technology in terms of treating adult acne. Essentially, IPL kills the bacteria in your blemishes while also reducing your body’s natural sebum (oil) production. The biggest upside is that this treatment takes less than 30 minutes in most cases, and you won’t have any downtime afterwards. Many patients need multiple treatments, but if you’re suffering from cystic acne, the kind with painful fluid-filled sub-surface cysts that never seem to come to a head, IPL treatment can really help. A research study posted in the Indian Journal of Dermatology resulted in improvements of more than 50% in many cases.
#4 Microdermabrasion
If your acne has healed, but you want to improve your skin’s texture, then microdermabrasion is a great choice. The process involves a tiny suction device equipped with an exfoliating tip. Your spa technician or dermatologist sweeps the crystal or diamond tip against your skin, which helps remove dead skin cells. Microdermabrasion also removes blackheads by removing the top and pulling out the embedded gunk. There’s one more bonus, too. The procedure increases circulation, so your skin rejuvenates at a faster pace.
#3 Manage your stress levels
When we were teenagers, life seemed stressful. As adults, we recognize that stress itself has a physical effect on our health. When you’re overworked or overextended, your body recognizes that as stress. And if you’re already prone to breakouts, your skin may be reacting badly. Scientists don’t know exactly what causes us to break out when stressed but keeping track of what’s going on in your life when a new pimple pops up is one sure-fire way to determine if your acne is stress-related. Once you know for certain, try adding some mindfulness exercises or taking a leisurely walk to bring your body back to center.
#2 Don’t worship the sun
You may think that spending time in the sun will kill the bacteria that may be on your skin. In reality, those UV rays may be telling your body, “Hey! I’m drying out. Pump out some oil.” Just what you need, right? Wrong. Sun exposure can also lead to hyper-pigmentation, similar to those dark or red marks left behind when old blemishes heal. Do your face a favor and avoid any unprotected face time when outdoors.
#1 Add Salicylic or Glycolic Acid to Your Routine
Okay, don’t panic. The acids we’re talking about here won’t burn your skin or melt off your face. AHAs, alpha hydroxy acids, work on the surface level of your skin and improve its texture while whisking away excess oil…gently. After cleansing your face, just apply your acid of choice to a clean cotton square and sweep it over your skin. You may notice some slight tingling, but it shouldn’t hurt. Tip: Make sure your face has dried completely after cleansing before applying your AHA. This will keep the irritation to a minimum. Tip: You can also buy cleansers that contain AHAs. Just be sure to select one from a quality medical grade skincare company to ensure you’re getting the right potency.
To your skin health,
Team Reflect
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