What causes Blemishes or Acne?

First it’s important to understand how the skin functions.

During puberty teenagers produce increased amounts of the male hormones called androgens. It is under the influence of these androgens that the skin produces extra sebum (oil) that makes teenage skin prone to acne or problematic skin.

The role of sebum is to protect the skin keeping it supple, smooth and toned. It is the over production of sebum that leads to acne and problematic skin. Excess oil production also creates the ideal environment for the Bacteria that lives on the skin, to flourish. This can cause irritation, infection of the skin and clogged pores, in turn leading to blind pimples, white heads and black heads.

How to control;

Blemish free skin is about balancing oil production and providing the nutrients the skin needs to keep it healthy and working properly. So how do we do this?

The first step is to avoid alcohol. I’m not referring to wine and beer here (although alcohol consumed can play a major part) I’m talking about skin care products that contain alcohol. Alcohol strips the natural oils from the skin drying it out therefore the skin wants to produce (often over producing) more oil to stop the skin from getting dehydrated. How do you tell if a product contains alcohol? Look at the ingredient list if there is any ingredient in the list ending with ‘ol’ this is an alcohol base ingredient. Alcohol is hidden everywhere so check all the products that you use on your skin and hair and if any of them contain alcohol replace them.

Routine. Creating a basic skin care routine is essential. Any skin care routine is best done morning and night to achieve the optimum results. A basic routine consists of Cleansing, Exfoliating and Moisturising. Cleansing twice to remove make up‚ dirt‚ excess oil and to clean the skin. Exfoliating to gently buff away dead skin cells to smooth the skin and allow products to penetrate. Moisturising to hydrate, repair and lock everything in.

Keeping skin clean also extends to hair. The scalp produces its own oil that accumulates on the hair. Combined with the oil found in hair care products, the oil transfers onto your face compounding complexion issues and contributing to your breakouts. Washing your hair every 2 or 3 days will help keep oil production under control.

Change your pillow case regularly. The oil and bacteria from your hair and face is absorbed by your pillow case when you sleep. Each night you lay your head down, oil and bacteria is finding its way back onto your skin.

DO NOT pick or squeeze your blackheads and pimples. As tempting as it may be, do not squeeze, scratch, rub or touch your pimples and blackheads. Doing any of these actions, actually increases the sebum production. Plus, when you squeeze‚ you are actually rupturing the membranes below your skin‚ causing infection and sebum to spread underneath your skin. The result is more pimples and scars.

Be wary about Antibiotics for Acne

The antibiotics prescribed for acne are designed to kill off the bacteria that live on the skin, including all good bacteria. The bacteria is not the cause of acne in itself, it is the bacteria flourishing in the oily conditions that causes acne. It is possible that antibiotics may slow down acne but acne often returns when the antibiotics run out.

Consider a Treatment Facial

Facials are not just for pampering. A Treatment Facial is exactly that – a treatment for the skin. Treatment Facials are tailor made to combat each persons specific complexion issue and deliver results. The arsenal of clays‚ gels‚ peels‚ masques‚ serums and creams that a Beauty Therapist has access to are much stronger than what is available in supermarkets and pharmacies and thus help address the underlying cause of acne.

Visiting a highly trained Beauty Therapist will get you on the right track for what your particular skin type requires.

On the first visit to a Beauty Therapist they complete a comprehensive skin diagnosis which will outline what type of skin you have (dry, oily, combination)‚ how it is functioning and why you are experiencing problematic skin. A Beauty Therapist will also make recommendations on what you can do to improve and correct your skin condition.

Controlling Melanin Production

Melanin production produces that sun-kissed brown look from tanning, whilst concentrated spots of melanin will show as pigmentation and/or freckles.

Exposure to sunlight without sunscreen stimulates melanin production. Melanin is a hormone the body produces in response to sunlight exposure to protect us from burning.

Sunscreen creates a barrier between sunlight and the melanin producing cells. So it is important to wear sunscreen under make up or buy a foundation or moisturiser that contains an spf of 30+ or above. Even if you are indoors most of the day it is still important to wear sunscreen as the over head lights also stimulate melanin production.

Reducing the appearance of Scars

Including acne, scars are often areas where the skin was once removed and new skin did not regenerate. There are organic skin care products on the market that can help alleviate scars and reduce their appearance by creating a healthier skin all over the face, and especially the scar. The scar itself may not go away, but the visibility factor will diminish tremendously because the skin of the scar is now more supple and pliable. Scars do not have to rule anyone’s life. They are treatable, and the sooner treatment starts the better the results will be.