Acne skin is a common skin condition caused by inflammation and a build-up of dead skin cells within the follicles of the skin.
There can be several causes of acne, the first is hormonal changes within the body e.g. puberty or change of the contraceptive pill.
It can also be genetic, if a parent has had acne, the teenager can have acne too.
Acne can also be caused by diet, eating refined sugars or dairy. And stress can be a big factor of acne. Using comedogenic products that contain mineral oil or lanolin can cause blocked follicles and in turn acne.
Excessive keratinisation can cause acne; a buildup of dead skin cells within the follicle.
This can allow the Propionibacterium Acnes (P.Acne bacteria) to grow and cause large inflamed spots.
There are 4 different grades of acne ranging from mild to severe.
Grade 1 Acne SkinThis is where there are minor breakouts which contain blackheads or whiteheads, that are open or closed and the occasional pustules (spots).
What you can do at home:Ensure that you have a good cleansing routine; wash your skin every morning and night, always apply a moisturiser after every wash and apply SPF in the day.
Exfoliating regularly and using a face mask can help.
How Positive Skin can help:A course of chemical peels can help to reduce the excess sebum and ensure the removal of any excess dead skin cells within the follicle.
Monthly treatment of a peel or microdermabrasion can help to exfoliate the dead skin cells away or regular LED therapy can help destroy the P Acne bacteria and help with any inflammation.
Grade 2 Acne SkinMany closed comedones (blackheads) and more open comedones. More regular outbreaks of papules and pustules. If picking the spots, scarring can be possible if the spots are picked.
What you can do at home:
A good home care routine will help to manage the acne. Double cleansing every morning and evening with a face wash and moisturise after every cleanse.
Using a serum, like
Alumier Acne Balancing Serum can help reduce the acne and prevent new lesions appearing.
Exfoliating with a gentle lotion, like Alumiers Bright and Clear daily will help to remove excess sebum and close the pores.
Wearing an SPF daily will prevent any excessive inflammation from the sun.
Supplements like Rejuvenated Skin Perfecting Complex can help to calm inflamed skin, acne-prone, and stressed polluted city skin.
How Positive Skin can help:A course of chemical peels will help exfoliate and remove any excess sebum and dead skin cells. Combined with LED therapy, together kill the P Acne Bacteria and calm any inflammation.
Grade 3 Acne SkinHas a lot of comedones, papules and pustules. It is commonly on the face, but can also be found on the back, chest and shoulders.
This grade can sometimes have the occasional cyst or nodule, that can be painful. Scarring is common with this type.
What you can do at home:A good skincare regime is extremely important with this grade.
Double cleansing morning and night with a face wash and a fresh cloth every time.
Exfoliating with a gentle salicylic acid like Alumier Bright and Clear daily and using a serum like Alumier Acne Balancing Serum that will help calm the acne and prevent any new spots appearing.
Wearing an SPF daily will prevent any excessive inflammation from the sun. Supplements like Rejuvenated Skin Perfecting Complex can help to calm inflamed skin, acne-prone, and stressed polluted city skin.
How Positive Skin can help:A course of chemical peels can help to calm the inflammation and reduce the sebum and excessive dead skin cells.
This can be combined with LED therapy to combat the P Acne bacteria and inflammation.
Intense Pulse light would also be good to destroy the P Acne bacteria and remove any excess oil within the skin.
A course of Illumi facials, which combines a chemical peel to exfoliate the dead skin cells and the IPL to destroy the bacteria within the follicles.
Grade 4 Acne SkinThis is where the comedones, papules and pustules on the skin are very severe.
There are also cysts and nodules. This is on the face and the trunk of the body. It can sometimes be painful.
What to do at home: Take extreme care of your skin. Ensure you double cleanse every morning and night with a gentle face wash and use a fresh/clean face cloth with morning and night.
Go to the doctor and get a referral to see a dermatologist, who can recommend a course of action.
How Positive Skin can help:Once seen by a dermatologist and the grade 4 acne is treated medically. LED therapy could help to soothe and maintain the skin's health.