Acne affects approximately 95% of the population at some point during their lifetime. This disorder can range from mild to severe forms, and can even cause extensive acne scarring. Regardless of age, gender, or skin colour, the cause of acne is the same across the board. It is a hereditary disease of the sebaceous follicles, aka – your pores.
People with acne have pores that function differently than people without acne. A normal cell sheds about one cell layer per day whereas acne-prone skin sheds up to five cell layers a day. Instead of flowing up and out onto the skin, the excess skin cells begin to accumulate within the pore, where they get stuck.
Also within our pores are oil glands known as “sebaceous glands”. The purpose of this gland is to secrete oil. So when the oil mixes with the extra shed cells, it causes a pile up of debris in the pore. This is the beginning of an acne lesion known as a “microcomedone”. As the oil and dead cells stick together, they fill up the pore. Once they hit the surface of the skin, you have a pimple, pustule, blackhead etc. It can take as much as 90 days from the first formation of a microcomedone until it reaches the surface. So the blemishes you see today, started back quite a while ago. Be wary of any product that promises to clear acne overnight, as it simply isn’t realistic.
While everyone’s pores contain naturally occurring bacteria, in the case of acne sufferers, the combination of oil and dead skin cells create a perfect environment for bacteria to grow rampantly, thus contributing to an acne problem. Bacteria alone, is not the cause of acne. The oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria together, is where the problem occurs. When you consider these factors of acne-prone skin, you will understand why so many acne treatments don’t work. A successful solution to acne is a process that addresses all factors rather than just one versus another.
Acne Myths
Acne is caused by dirty skin.
Unfortunately this myth causes a lot of overcleaning of the face with soaps and strong detergent cleansers. Frequent washing actually irritates pores, which can cause them to become clogged. Cleansing with the right type of product (not bar soaps or harsh detergent based cleansers) twice a day is good enough. A washcloth or any other cleansing device can add even more irritation. The best bet is to wash very gently with bare hands and only wash twice a day.
Stress causes acne.
Acne causes oil, dead cells and bacteria together. Stress can aggravate acne, but not cause it.
Moisturizer will make you break out.
Most people with acne are deathly afraid of moisturizers and with good cause! There ARE many moisturizers with pore-clogging ingredients in them. However, any product that is active enough to get your acne under control can and will be inherently drying/dehydrating. This means you will need to:
• Start slowly with strong products to allow your skin to get used to them.
• Use a sunscreen/moisturizer during the day to give your skin the moisture it needs so it doesn’t get completely irritated and dried out from your acne regimen.
• Make sure the sunscreen and/or moisturizer you use is noncomedogenic (non pore-clogging).
• Never use moisturizer over the top of benzoyl peroxide – it will stop it from penetrating the pore where it does the work of preventing acne from forming.
I don’t need to use a sunscreen. The sun will help get rid of acne
Oh, yes you do! Not only does a sunscreen prevent acne spots from becoming pigmented, it also helps hydrate the face during the day while your using an acne regimen. Make sure the sunscreen/moisturizer you use is noncomedogenic (non pore-clogging) ingredients. Overly exposing your skin to the sun creates skin damage, which leaves the skin irritated. Irritation brings new breakouts.
I can dry up my acne.
Not true. Drying out your face only makes your skin sensitive, flaky, tight and uncomfortable. Your face is dry on the surface, but that doesn’t really clean out your pores. Using a combination of acne products that keep the pore clean, kill bacteria and exfoliate without over drying is how you clear up acne.
Acne Treatments at Orchid Aesthetics
Cynosure Emerge Fractional Laser Treatment
The Cynosure laser offers a powerful treatment that helps eliminate the major factors causing acne including excess sebum production, inflammation, and the P-bacteria to help clear current acne breakouts and to stop them in the future.
Deep Pore Treatments
HydraFacial –
This treatment offers thorough extraction for congested skin with blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes or ‘bumps’. Includes enzymatic exfoliation and oxygenation function.
Microdermabrasion –
Offers deep exfoliation of epithelial (top skin layer) cells
Acne Chemical Peels –
Following an in depth skin consultation a course of peels will be chosen for your acne type and grade to unclog the impacted pores, loosen the impactions, exfoliate the inner walls of the pores to target current breakouts and prevent the new ones.
LED Treatment DERMALUX
We customise the Blue and Red Light of DERMALUX depending on what type of acne or skin problem you have.
