Treatments
Acne treatments 101: Our two-pronged approach to treating acne
Apr
At Southern Cosmetics, we have a strong track record in helping acne sufferers to tackle their acne and regain their confidence. We treat people of all different ages, from 14-year-old boys to women in their 30s. In this article, we explain some of the factors that may cause or worsen acne, and provide an overview of our two-step approach to acne treatments. If you or someone you know is suffering from acne, please get in touch!
Factors that may cause or worsen acne
Hormones
Hormonal changes can cause acne. For example, teenagers going through puberty often experience excess oil production, causing them to break out. Pregnant women may also experience acne due to changes in hormones, or women may notice breakouts prior to menstruation.
Environment
Environmental factors can play a role in the development and severity of acne. For example, if you work in an environment where you have to wear a mask, it may cause breakouts. Similarly, if you work in a greasy setting, such as a kitchen with fry vats, it may aggravate your acne.
Ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs may lead to the development of acne. They occur when hair grows into the skin or through the hair follicle wall, while acne is caused by a hair follicle becoming blocked with dead skin cells and oil. Some men develop acne through their beards, as the ingrown hairs become infected.
Makeup
Certain types of makeup may cause you to break out. We recommend using mineral makeup that’s non-comedogenic, which means it’s formulated so that it doesn’t block pores.
Food
Some people find certain foods trigger their acne. A diet that’s high in sugar, with lots of junk food or foods that cause inflammation may negatively impact your skin.
How we treat acne
Step 1: We recommend a series of acne treatments
At Southern Cosmetics, we offer a vast range of acne treatments to help get your skin back on track. We can treat both active acne and breakouts, as well as the scarring caused by acne. Your treatment plan may include one particular type of treatment, or a combination of several different acne treatments to really get on top of the issue. Here are our most popular acne treatments
Peels
Chemical peels are one of our most popular acne treatments, as they help with cellular turnover and exfoliation. They also reduce the amount of oil in the skin.
Laser Genesis
Our Laser Genesis treatment can help reduce the size of your oil-producing gland. It assists with texture, tone, inflammation and the redness you experience after a breakout.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion removes dead epidermal cells, giving your skin a fresh, polished look. It’s great for preparing your skin prior to one of our other acne treatments, such as a peel. However, if you do have active acne, it may not be suitable.
LED Light Therapy
Our blue-light LED therapy effectively kills acne-causing bacteria. We may also recommend red-light LED therapy, which promotes healing, in conjunction with other acne treatments such as Laser Genesis or peels.
Kleresca
One of our newer acne treatments, Kleresca uses a high-intensity lamp with a photo-converter gel to kill bacteria in the skin and initiate healing. The treatment is quite intensive (twice a week for six weeks). Speak to us and we’ll explain whether you’re a good candidate.
Step 2: We create a customised at-home skin care regimen
To really tackle your acne, we’ll put together a tailored skin care regimen for you to follow at home. At Southern Cosmetics, we stock a range of skin care products by leading cosmetic brands – products we know work. As part of your skin care plan, we may recommend the following products in addition to your acne treatments:
A Cleanser
This is your go-to product to remove dirt, oil build-up and makeup. Our cleansers effectively clean your skin, without stripping it of vital oils and causing you to break out.
Vitamin B
For acne-prone skin, we often recommend Vitamin B, as it offers a range of benefits. It’s anti-inflammatory, so it can reduce the red, inflamed look associated with acne. It can also help to suppress oil production, without making you feel stripped and dry. Vitamin B is strengthening and hydrating, and overall it makes your skin more robust.
Vitamin A
Dead skin cells on the surface of the skin can get stuck in hair follicles, resulting in acne. Vitamin A can speed up the cellular turnover of the skin to reduce breakouts. If you have acne scarring, this product can also improve your skin’s appearance.
Sunscreen
It’s important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, especially if you’re undergoing acne treatments or using products that increase your sensitivity to the sun. An added bonus of wearing sunscreen is that many products contain zinc, which is anti-inflammatory.
An exfoliating serum
The last skin care product we may recommend is a chemical exfoliator, which is a serum that you apply to the skin and leave on. These products help to remove dead skin cells and decongest pores.
Why choose Southern Cosmetics for your acne treatments?
We are a medical-based cosmetic clinic, hence we only use clinically proven acne treatments. What’s more, we don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to treating acne. We tailor our strategy according to your skin type and lifestyle.
We understand that acne can cause emotional distress, and if left unchecked, it can leave lasting scars. The earlier you begin treatment, the better. If you or someone you know suffers from acne, please book in for a consultation. We’ll explain the types of acne treatments that may best suit you!
Southern Cosmetics
324 Bluff Road, Sandringham
P: 03 9533 1100