W AESTHETICS
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SUFFERING FROM ACNE?
Dr Sally Ann Dolan of SDS Rejuvenate gives us her
top tips for treating mild to severe acne.
What causes acne?
Acne develops with hormonal shifts, for example, during puberty,
and in women, before a menstrual period and sometimes prior to
menopause. Hormonal shifts cause an overproduction of oil and cells
inside a skin follicle. Together, they form a biological bottleneck that
plugs the opening of the pore and causes the follicle beneath to swell.
This allows for the overgrowth of bacteria normally found on skin -
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) - that produce irritating chemical
substances that further fuel the inflammation. The end result is acne.
Can I prevent acne developing?
Because of acne’s association with fluctuating hormone levels and
possible genetic influences, many doctors believe there is no way to
prevent it. The accepted wisdom is that neither good hygiene nor diet can
prevent outbreaks, this being said, sensible skincare is recommended,
especially during adolescence. The basics include a daily bath or shower
and washing the face and hands with unscented or mildly antibacterial
soap.
Can what I eat cause or worsen acne?
Acne is not caused by a bad diet but it is recognised that some people
notice their acne gets worse if they indulge in certain foods. There is
some evidence that consumption of dairy products may raise the risks
of getting acne because of the hormones in the milk, cheese and yogurt.
Other studies have shown a relationship between the worsening of acne
and a diet with a high glycaemic index, such as white bread, waffles and
other carbs. In essence, avoid any foods that you feel seem to worsen
your acne and for your overall health eat a balanced diet.
What are the treatments for acne?
The treatment will depend on the extent of your acne. Often just using an
appropriate skincare is sufficient – the important ingredients are benzyl
peroxide which works by destroying the bacteria, salicylic acid which
helps unclog the pores and corrects the abnormal shredding of the cells,
a retinol which effects the growth of the cells, decreases swelling and
inflammation. It is also imperative that you use an SPF. If appropriate we
start our patients on an acne management kit which contains all the vital
skincare products. Treatments can be added if your acne is moderate
to severe. These treatments include Dermalux Blue Light Treatments.
A weekly relaxing and non-invasive treatment using LED light. This
kills the bacteria that is responsible for acne (P. acnes). A course of 6-8
treatments are recommended with remarkable results – happy patients
and very satisfied practitioners! Resurfacers or Chemical Skin Peels
can loosen blackheads and reduce spots and laser treatment is a very
effective especially for acne on the back, shoulders and chest as well as
the face. Prescription treatments may be required such as antibiotics to
be taken orally or to be applied topically, in cases of very severe cystic
acne, oral retinoids can be considered but care must be taken as these
products can have severe side effects.
How long before I see a visible result from using my acne medication?
The time for improvement depends upon the product being used, but
in almost all cases it is more a matter of weeks or months instead of
days. We would recommend the use of a medication or combination
of medications daily for 4 to 8 weeks before we would change the
treatment. It is very important for our patients to be aware of this
time frame so they do not become discouraged and discontinue their
medication. We believe it is important to review our patients regularly
throughout treatment.
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Should I stop wearing makeup?
You don’t have to stop wearing makeup, but you do need to ensure you
wear makeup that does not block your pores and make acne worse.
The makeup needs to be light weight, talc free and breathable. We
advise Youngblood makeup. The foundation is perfect for normal to
oily complexions as the rice starch assists in absorbing the oil and it is
perfume and chemical dye free, non-comedogenic and cruelty free. Plus
it comes in a wide range of shades!
Does the sunshine help my acne?
There is a myth that the sun dries up and clears acne. NO! The UV
rays are damaging to your skin and it is imperative that you protect
your skin from these harmful rays with an SPF. However, blue light
treatment (LED Treatment) is a recommended technique to improve the
appearance of acne and eradicate the bacteria that causes acne. We offer
Dermalux (Blue Light LED Treatment) in our clinics and the results are
outstanding.
Can anything be done about scaring?
Prevention of scaring is paramount – but if scaring is your problem there
is a number of available treatments, which do really improve the scaring
and texture of the skin. Micro needling with INNOPen or MPEN, is a
procedure that uses a collection of very tiny needles to puncture the
very first layer of the skin. This process works to rejuvenate your skin
by boosting collagen production which elevate the overall texture of
your skin. Deeper scars can be treated by Plexr, a device which works
through the non-ablative process of sublimation – this stimulates the
contraction and tightening of skin fibres which results in smoothing of
the skin and eradication of pits resulting from acne. Chemical skin peels
and resurfacers can be beneficial, as can laser resurfacing. Treatments
must always be individualised for each and every specific patient and a
bespoke plan of action produced.
Do supplements work?
It is becoming increasingly proven that everything that you put into
your body is inextricably linked with the quality of your skin. Your
skin is, after all, your largest organ and is simply a reflection of what
you put inside your body. Healthy skin starts from within! Probiotics,
antioxidants and many vitamins are essential to ensure optimal cellular
function, skin repair and growth. We advise supplements from the
ZENii range – “Optimise – Clear Skin” a fantastic all in one supplement
for acne and rosacea.
For a free consultation at SDS, visit www.sdsrejuvenate.co.uk
WIN A DERMALUX FACIAL!
SDS Rejuvenation are giving Wirral Life readers the
chance to win a Dermalux Facial.
To enter the competition, email your answer to
[email protected] along with your name, address,
email and contact telephone number.
Question: Does the sunshine help acne?
Entries close on Friday 4th May 2018 at noon.
Good luck!