A widely circulated article in the Wall Street Journal published this week discusses the risk of creating superbugs with traditional antibiotic acne treatment. Doctors are finding that the antibiotics that were once effective are no longer helping and the doctors quoted fear that prescribing antibiotics for acne will open teenagers and others up to developing other serious conditions like drug-resistant MRSA.
From our experience, people aren’t always clear on the causes and types of acne, plus there are lots of myths surrounding acne treatments and causes. This article from the Mayo Clinic offers great advice on the different types of acne and when to seek medical help for yours. It also offers tips on preparing for your appointment with a dermatologist.
Unfortunately, you can’t just hope for better skin, you need to make changes to your routine and possibly lifestyle. For mild acne, you might evaluate your day-to-day routine. A few ideas include:
- Cleaning your phone with antibacterial wipes daily to avoid spreading oil and bacteria
- Changing your pillowcase every couple of days
- Washing your face morning and night with an appropriate cleanser for your skin type
- Get a facial from a licensed esthetician (not just the advice of a sales person behind a cosmetic counter! Usually these are not trained estheticians) for advice and help unclogging your pores safely.
- Using a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type (yes! Even people with oily skin need hydration, but a gel or acne-specific cream may be best)
- Try a mask or spot treatment like Derma E’s Exfoliation Mask or Farmhouse Fresh’s Pajama Paste Mask
- Exfoliate weekly with a product like Derma E’s Microdermabrasion Scrub or Farmhouse Fresh’s Sand your Ground Mask (which doubles as a scrub and clay mask but do not OVER exfoliate and do not exfoliate skin that is irritated or has open areas.
For more moderate acne, in addition to all of the above:
- Try regular facials for deeper cleansing and help with deep pore extractions in a way that won’t scar skin
- Try a series of light chemical peels
- Reduce stress, especially if your acne flares up when you are under stress
- Visit a dermatologist
For severe acne, visit your doctor or dermatologist for recommendations.
We know acne can be frustrating and believe me, some of us at the spa have battled painful scarring acne before so we can empathize with the frustrations. If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to speak with a licensed esthetician or your doctor for advice or a referral.
