Spa Days With Vai- Acneic Skin Care Guide

Acne is a chronic disorder of the skin which is characterized by inflammation and painful bumps, like cysts or nodules, or comedones, like whiteheads or blackheads. But don’t worry — there are ways to keep acne at bay! Read on for tips to promote clear calm skin.

Acne usually affects teens and young adults, but people of all ages can have acne. It is more common with hormonal imbalances, certain lifestyle choices, or in those with a genetic predisposition, but acne is multi-faceted and may have several causes at once. In “normal” skin types, dead skin cells in the pores are shed through sebum (or oil) pushing the dead cells out. However, in acneic skin types, excess sebum traps the dead skin cells in the pores, where P. acnes bacteria that naturally lives on the skin can digest the matter and reproduce. This process leads to inflammation and different blackheads, etc. So, how do we fight this process?

1) Keep to a regular routine at home. Acne is a condition that needs to be managed every single day. Skipping a day means bacteria colonies can reproduce, which means more future breakouts for you. Your routine will need to consist of a twice-daily cleanser and moisturizer, as well as exfoliators and/or other treatments dependent on your type of acne. See your esthetician for a more personalized routine!

2) Use acne fighting ingredients in your routine, but don’t go over board. Oftentimes, those with acne overcompensate with ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, or tretinoin, in an attempt to dry out the acne, this destroys the skin’s moisture barrier, leading to even more inflammation. Try to balance your routine by using both active ingredients and hydrating calming ingredients.

3) Make small changes to your diet. Modifying your diet can help make acne easier to manage, but always consult your doctor before making drastic changes. Foods like dairy products are mucus- forming in the body and can trap sticky dead cells in your pores, which may lead to breakouts. Foods that are high in soy, like tofu or edamame, mimic estrogen in the body and may lead to hormonal breakouts. Junk foods are high in inflammatory oils and sugars, and can feed the P. acnes bacteria, leading to more acne. Try to include more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet, such as salmon, leafy greens, and berries. But again, talk to your doctor before modifying major food groups to ensure you still get proper nutrition.

4) Reduce your stress levels and get good sleep. This tip is tried and true for a reason! Increased stress levels raise cortisol levels in the body, which prompts the skin to produce more oil, which could lead to more breakouts. At night while you are sleeping, the skin is regenerating and healing so give yourself 7-9 hours of quality rest each night to allow that process for your skin.

5) Meet with an esthetician to come up with a treatment plan. Acne is a highly personalized multi-faceted condition that needs to be treated daily from several angles. Meeting someone with proper training and education in dozens of skin conditions is a better method than Diy-ing or trying to control acne on your own. An esthetician can look at all aspects of acne-causing situations, such as diet and lifestyle choices, topical products, facial treatments, home products, etc, and recommend options from there.

If you’re struggling with acne, remember that you aren’t alone! Acne is a condition that can’t be cured, but can absolutely be managed through proper care. I’d love to assist in your journey towards clearer skin, and there’s no better time to start than today.