Your Face’s Biggest Foe: Acne

Pimples, big pores, and other acne problems all affect teens and adults at one point or another. Acne and unexpected breakouts can range from an occasional annoyance to an embarrassing everyday issue that impacts your self-esteem. People with faces affected by unsightly acne marks and scars might seek professional treatments to minimize their appearance. Acne problems are common, and it is nothing to be ashamed of whatsoever. Still, if you’re looking for a little confidence boost, many facial treatments available at medical spas are incredibly beneficial in reducing acne’s appearance.

The Biggest Causes of Breakouts

Acne is a chronic skin condition where the hair follicles and oil glands of the face, neck, back, shoulders, and chest become inflamed. Acne is most prevalent in pubescent teenagers but can also continue into adulthood. Common terms associated with acne include:

• Spots, pimples, and zits: Inflamed white pustules and papules
• Blackheads: Dark or skin-colored papules
• Acne scarring: Secondary skin color changes as a result of acne

So, what are the biggest causes of chronic acne? There are quite a few factors that contribute to the appearance of acne in both adults and youths. Acne-prone people most likely experience skin issues because of:

• Hormonal factors
• Genetic factors
• Environmental factors (humidity, moisture, rain)
• Psychological factors (depression, anxiety, stress, etc.)
• Physiological factors (sweat, participation in sports, certain athletic uniforms)
• Dietary factors
• Certain diseases
• Certain medications

Acne can have a severe impact on a person’s mental health, especially in adolescence. Many people whose acne affects them in adulthood seek professional acne treatments and medications to cover up existing acne marks and scars.

Adult Acne

While most people leave their acne and breakout problems in puberty, others carry acne scars well into adulthood. Adult acne and acne scars can are a source of insecurity for many people. As we age and lose collagen in our face’s, acne scars can become more prominent. Luckily, several medical spa treatments are available to help minimize the appearance of unattractive acne marks and scars.

Comparing Scars and Marks

Several factors set acne scars apart from marks. It’s essential to know the difference between acne marks and scars so your dermatologist or medical aesthetician can determine the best course of action to help reduce their appearance.

Acne marks are dark pink, inflamed, but smooth areas on the skin. If there are no indentations or raised areas, it means the skin’s collagen is still intact, which does not indicate scarring. Luckily for people suffering from skin issues, dark acne marks are easily treatable. On the other hand, acne scars are indented or raised bumps, which means that there is damage to the skin’s collagen. There are several types of acne scarring that fall into two categories:

Indented Scarring

Indented acne scars are atrophic and appear in three distinct forms:

• Ice pick scars: Deep with jagged edges
• Boxcar scars: Rectangular with steep, defined edges
• Rolling scars: Broad with sloped edges

Raised Scarring

Raised acne scars are either hypertrophic or keloid. There are certain identifying features of these types of scars:

• Hypertrophic scars: Thick and stick out above the skin
• Keloid scars: Thick, dense, and rubbery; sometimes take on a “ball-like” appearance.

After you pop a pimple or experience acne, your skin opens up. How your body reacts to this opening and starts to heal determines whether you will have a mark or scar. If acne scars impact your self-esteem or you simply wish to minimize their appearance, it’s time to consider medical spa treatments meant specifically for acne-affected skin.

Top Treatments to Minimize the Appearance of Acne, Scars, and Dark Spots

Medical spas have significantly impacted the health and beauty industries, with many FDA-approved facial and skin treatments available to help reduce acne’s appearance. Whether you have marks, scars, or minimal lumps and bumps, there is an effective spa treatment available to help make your skin feel and appear fresher and brighter.

Minimizing Pores

If large pores are your primary concern, know that you are not alone. Pores impact plenty of people year-round and always seem to appear at the most inopportune times. There are tons of at-home treatments that aid in reducing the appearance of visible pores on the face and body. If you’re experiencing enlarged pores, try out these effective at-home treatments and see results fast:

• Wash your face with warm water and a gentle, exfoliating cleanser. It’s crucial to maintain a regular daily skincare routine, so wash your face in the morning and night.
• If you have overactive glands and oily skin, utilize water-based products for the best benefits.
• Regular exfoliation aids in removing excess oil, skin cells, dirt, and other debris trapped and clogging up pores. Use a product containing salicylic acid twice a week to exfoliate the fact and skin for a fresher appearance. Be careful not to over-exfoliate as it can be severely detrimental to your skin.
• Remove your makeup daily before heading to bed to avoid massive pores when you wake up in the morning.
• Wear sunscreen products with proper UV protection to stop your skin from drying out in all seasons.
• Treat yourself to a clay mask every so often to reduce the size of your skin’s pores. Plus, a little self-care can go a long way for your mental health as well.

Regular exercise, a proper diet, and drinking a lot of water all positively impact your skin’s condition. Make your face as beautiful as possible with a little regular TLC, and you’ll notice the size of your pores growing smaller each day.

Getting Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads are another acne problem that affects both teens and adults. As you get older, you might notice that blackheads become darker and more apparent. You might be tempted to squeeze and pop the night away until your blackhead inevitably erupts, but this is a terrible idea. Tearing at your blackheads can cause the bacteria to break out and spread even more. Luckily, several at-home remedies make a real difference in the appearance of your skin:

• Creams and moisturizers containing salicylic acid are effective in reducing excess oils. Use products containing salicylic acid to get rid of blackheads for good.
• Preventing blackheads is an essential step in proper skincare. Utilize enzymatic exfoliators when your skin is clear to stop blackheads from forming in the first place.
• Moisturizing makes all the difference in getting rid of blackheads. Look for the right products to help reduce the appearance of blackheads. Good moisturizers should:
  • Have a light and milky consistency, not heavy and creamy
  • Contain niacinamide
  • Advertise as oil-free
• Utilize charcoal or aloe-vera peel-off masks to get rid of blackheads and stop new ones from forming.

There is an abundance of treatments available to help get rid of blackheads on your skin’s surface. If your blackhead problem is chronic and consistent, contact an experienced medical spa aesthetician to determine if professional procedures are a better option to improve your skin’s quality.

Deep, Dark Acne Scars and Marks

Scars and marks are the most severe impacts of teenage and adult acne, so it’s no surprise that their appearance can make people feel incredibly insecure. As spa treatments continue to improve, there are several innovative ways to eliminate deep and dark acne scars and marks for good. Let’s explore some of the professional skin and facial treatments available to improve the appearance of acne marks and scars:

1. Microdermabrasion

A microdermabrasion facial is a procedure that basically buffs and polishes the skin, removing dead skin cells to reveal fresh and healthy skin underneath. It is a painless and non-invasive procedure performed at many medical spas. The short process produces noticeable results immediately. Microdermabrasion is a suitable treatment for all skin types and is incredibly useful in reducing the appearance of deep acne scarring.

2. Laser Skin Resurfacing

The results of laser skin resurfacing are often dramatic, helping to restore skin to a youthful vibrancy. During the non-invasive procedure, professional skincare experts use a super-strong laser to dissolve the molecular bonds of damaged skin cells. The process is popular among people who desire a more youthful look, and it also has a positive impact on existing acne scars or marks.

Laser skin resurfacing is an excellent treatment option for people with acne marks and scars. It targets dark spots and damage, leaving a smooth, vibrant look to your skin tone and pigmentation.

3. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are an excellent method to alleviate imperfections caused by acne scars and marks. A chemical solution is applied to the skin during the process, which is specially formulated to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells. After the treatment has set in, the solution is peeled off to reveal smooth, rejuvenated skin. Different levels of chemical peels can have more noticeable effects on acne-prone skin.

Scheduling a Medical Spa Appointment

Acne can leave unattractive and embarrassing lumps, bumps, marks, and scars across the skin of our bodies. For some people, acne is a significant issue impacting self-esteem and confidence. As medical spa treatments continue to advance, there are many facial and skin treatments available to help minimize the appearance of acne scars and marks. If you’re tired of looking in the mirror at old acne scars or chronic pimples and bumps, it’s best to contact a medical spa such as Spa MD in St. Paul, Minnesota, to find a treatment regimen that really works for your skin type. Schedule a consultation today and start seeing improvements to your skin immediately.