Acne-a skin condition, not a life sentence

What is acne?

Acne is a skin condition located in the hair follicles on the skin.  It can be seen on the face, back, chest and arms of both male and female.  The first signs usually appears during puberty, around 14-17 years of age in girls, and 16 –19 years of age in boys.  It comes in spurts and can be triggered by sunlight, hormones, menstrual cycles and pollution. Approximately 15% of teenage girls will require treatment for their acne.  Most cases clear up in the late teens and early twenties.  Approximately 5% of women over the age of 25 will still need treatment.

There are four main reasons for the development of acne:

• Over production of sebum, a natural oil that keeps the skin soft and supple, due to an increase in androgens (male hormones) at puberty.
• Abnormal build up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, and in the hair follicles, which results in blocked pores.
• Inflammation in the blocked pores
• Bacterial infection
  

What acne is not..

• Despite the inflammation and bacterial infection that occur, acne is not an infectious ailment.
• What you eat or drink does not cause acne.

Treating acne

There are a number of means of treating acne:

• Medical treatments: antibiotics, Vitamin A derivatives, both oral and topical, benzoyl peroxide and in some specific cases, hormone therapy.
• Dermo-cosmetic treatments: most of the beauty houses offer an acne specific treatment.
• The earlier you start to treat your acne, the better change you have of getting it under control.

Treating plan using a professional salon product.

1.       Washing

This will rid the skin of excess oil, imbedded impurities and environmental dirt, without stripping the skin of all oil and causing irritation and dryness. Use a facial brush and softly move it in small circles over the effected area.

2.       Toning

This step will restore the Ph level of the skin.

                                                                                           

3.       Moisturise

Although the skin is oily, it still needs to be moisturised.  This cream helps to lessen the shine of the skin and to restore the moisture/oil balance of the skin.

4.       Specialised acne creams

Using specialised acne creams will help to reduce inflammation, redness and scarring and will control excess oil production.

5.       Sun protection

A sunscreen is essential for acne skin.  When tanning, the outer layer of the skin thickens, and although the tan makes acne seem to disappear, this only causes them to develop.

General comments

Treating acne can be a long and difficult process.  However, with time, patience and a personalised treatment programme, it can be treated and controlled.  You do not have to “live with it”!

• Please do not buy products that are not properly formulated for this skin condition: which are often irritating, drying and damaging to the skin.

• Avoid squeezing and pressing the acne, as this will increase the risk of infection and possible scarring.  Please leave this for us in the salon.

• Please stay of the sun, whenever possible.  If you have to be outside, always wear a sunscreen formulated for acne skin.

For more information, please contact us at 082 398 9817 or visit our website at www.agbeautysalon.co.za