The big day is right around the corner and you want to make sure you have your best face - or rather skin - for photos! But how do you clear acne before prom night? In order to effectively treat acne, it’s important to know what’s causing it.
- Hormones- Hormone fluctuations play a crucial role in causing acne by increasing the production of sebum. This excess oil on the skin clogs the pores and leads to breakouts.
- Unhygienic skin care- Not washing the face regularly or using products not meant for your skin type can irritate the skin and cause pimples. Sweat left on the skin can also clog pores and become a suitable environment for bacteria to grow.
- Stress – Stress can affect hormone levels which can increase the production of natural oils causing the skin to become clogged and congested.
- Make up- A lot of cosmetics contain pore clogging ingredients that can cause or worsen acne. If you are using non-disposable brushes, I highly recommend cleaning the brushes at least once a week to get rid of bacteria. Also, not removing makeup before going to bed allows a greater chance of the pores becoming clogged.
Now that we know what’s causing your acne, let’s correct it!
Blackhead and whitehead extractions are a very common procedure often done on acne inflamed skin - especially on teenage skin. It is important to have a trained professional perform extractions because if done incorrectly, bruising and scarring could occur. The procedure begins with cleansing the skin. Then carefully each individual pore is entered and the dirt and debris is extracted. Calming products are applied to the skin after extractions. This continues to calm the skin as it may be pink and tender for a few days following the procedure.
Chemical Peels are another treatment performed in patients with acne. Salicylic Acid peels are recommended for acne since salicylic acid is designed to regulate oil production. Because this peel is considered a superficial peel, there is no downtime. In most cases, a series of 3-6 peels done every 4 weeks is recommended to achieve desired results.
Acne medications are generally recommended if acne becomes problematic and out of control. I usually recommend starting with extractions and/or chemical peels first then if no improvement is made, starting on a prescription acne medication may be necessary.
Don’t worry! Under the right guidance and an appropriate skin care routine, you can get your skin looking fresh and clear for your big day!
Got more questions? Schedule your same day or next day appointment.
