When we have a client come in concerned with their Acne, wether it’s been their whole life, a teen who has just started struggling, or hormonal break outs, the first thing we want to do it talk about your specific skins history, products being used, products previously used, and what you have noticed a change when using.
We also like to talk about triggers, it’s important when struggling with Acne to track what your specific triggers may be. Some people it can be traced back to certain foods, some its with their cycle every month and others it doesn’t seem to come and go its just constantly there.
We also like to talk about the type of Acne we are dealing with, this varies person to person. Some have very inflamed, some cystic, some active, some Rosacea acne and sometimes it can even be fungal.
There are different treatments depending on the type of acne we are dealing with, but generally speaking the go to is stripping products that we have all been told are helpful, and although those stripping, or drying salicylic’s, glycolic’s, retinols etc can be very helpful, they can also be counter productive if you haven’t healed the skins barrier first! This is done by babying the skin, in combination with treating and killing the acne causing bacteria.
When the skins barrier is compromised it is an absolute bacteria breeding ground!
When dealing with a compromised barrier specifically struggling with acne we are first recommending upping water intake and adjusting products, usually from store bought to medical grade skin care, upping the hydration (not oil) with things like a hyaluronic acid serum, products with aloe, niacinamide, peptides, honey and boswellia.
What we recommend you start with at home:
*Cut back on exfoliating, use an enzymatic exfoliant rather than rough grits that can move the bacteria around on the face.
*Change your pillow case to silk and wash it regularly.
*Follow the skin regime for barrier health from your skin care specialist (minimum 12 weeks)
*Seek blue light therapy (LED), laser facials and light AHA peels (alternating between peels and laser or light therapy)
*Increases water intake.
*Keep a skin journal, follow and track when you have the most inflammation, what you ate that day and where you may be in your cycle for the month.
*Watch your intake of Dairy, chocolate, refined sugars and grains (High inflammation foods)
*Apply ice.
*Don’t pick.
*See a naturopathic doctor about gut health and hormones in relation to your skin.
*Be patient, skin doesn’t change and get better over night.
We would love to talk more to you about your specific skin needs and concerns!
Book you’re complimentary skin consultation today!
PLEASE NOTE: These are tips and tricks we have learned by working with clients who have struggled with acne, we are not doctors and this is not medical advice.