SKIN CARE FOR ACNE PATIENTS
Heat May Be Harmful
Steaming the face may cause telagiectases.
Comedo extraction is more difficult when the skin is wet.
Patients with acne may also be prone to rosacea, which can be exacerbated by heat.
Gentle, Mild Cleansers Are Best
Abrasive cleaners containing ground nut shells or apricot pits can irritate or even cut the skin.
Loofah pads, buff puffs harsh washcloths and other scrubbing apparatuses can worsen acne.
Scrubbing will not remove acne scars.
Foaming gel cleansers are mild enough for acne patients and tend not to be overused.
Creamy cleansers may occlude the skin and aggravate acne.
Creamy cleansers may be necessary if the patient wears heavy makeup. In such cases, the creamy cleanser should be followed by cleaning with a mild, non creamy product.
Toners with salicylic acid may help unclog the pores.
Facials Can Aggravate Acne
Rather than bringing impurities to the surface, facial manipulation by salon specialist may inflame preexisting acne.
The lotions and creams used in facials may occlude or irritate acne skin.
Some facialists may be trained in comedo extraction.
Comedo extraction should not result profound redness of the skin.
Comedo extraction should not cause scabbing.
Patients should not attempt to extract their own comedones.
Dermatologist can quickly extract comedones without irritating preexisting acne.
Cosmetic Peels Can Be Helpful
Cosmetic peels with salicylic acid can help dissolve keratinous material within the follicle.
Alpha hydroxy acid peels are not as effective as those with salicylic acid.
Some salons may offer salicylic acid peels, but they are most often best administered by dermatologist.
Finding Cosmetic Products That Are Acne-Friendly
Products that test as noncomedogenic on animals may still cause acne in humans.
Acne patients should avoid using moisturizers that may occlude their skin.
Patients who have dry patches can use a light moisturizer on the places that feel dry.
Moisturizers usually should not be applied over the entire face.
Heavy foundation makeups may be necessary for patients who need to camouflage their acne.
Some patients may find that silicone-based foundations spread more easily over their acne medications.
Finding The Best Acne Treatment
For patients with mild acne, dermatologists recommend the use of a combination of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sometimes topical retinoids.
For moderate acne, she almost always uses topical retinoids.
In cases of moderate acne with many pustules, she may add a topical antibiotic to the topical retinoid.
Oral antibiotics can be used to jump-start acne treatment or in causes where the patient is not responding to topical treatment.
The presence of cysts might also lead to use of systemic antibiotics.
For moderate-to-severe cases of acne, she almost always begins with oral antibiotics. She also cleanses patients’ skin, extracts comedones, drains the cysts, and injects them with low-dose corticosteroids.
Patients with oily skin should do well on a gel-based topical retinoid or an alcohol-based topical antibiotic.
Those with sensitive or drier skin might require creame-based topical acne treatments.
The acne treatment must be compatible with the patient’s cosmetics; otherwise, the patient will tend to discontinue the acne treatment rather than discontinue use of the cosmetic.
Gel-based topical retinoids ten to be compatible with makeup.
Using Sunscreens With Acne Treatments
Sunscreens tend to be occlusive and may aggravate acne.
Sweat and sebum may be trapped underneath the sunblock.
Cleansing more frequently and using mild toners to remove the sunscreen may be helpful.
Sunscreens are an important component of skin care for all patients, whether they have acne or not.
what is the rationale for using gel based/alcohol based retinoid for persons with oily skin? is it because the cream will not be easily absorbed by the skin or is it because the cream form will just make skin more oily?
The gel is felt to dry out the oiliness of the skin. Gels are stronger than cream ( better penetration)_and thus one get more for their buck than with creams. However, gels can be drying and id especially beneficial for players with excessive sun exposure.
I’m in my late 30’s now, and my pores are huge, I guess from years of “picking and pinching” zits. What is the best facial product to make the pores look smaller. Also, I have awful “left over” shades of yellow from old scars from zits…what can I put on my face to even out my skin tone….i look like i have yellow lines and yellow shading all over my skin…!!! It’s so bad I will not leave my house with out make up on!!
Any help will be appreciated!!!
Tanya G.