Dr. Lana Kashlan shares her knowledge about acne.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States and globally affects about 650 million people. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that nearly all of us have suffered from acne, whether that be in a mild form with blackheads and the occasional pimple or the severe cystic type. Regardless of severity, acne can be extremely frustrating for people as the drug store shelves are full of creams and gels all marketed as the miracle cure, but what really works? To understand acne treatment, we have to take a step back and understand what acne really is.
Table of Contents
Get to know it
Firstly, acne is essentially a problem with pore congestion. In patients who have acne, their oil (also known as sebum) and dead skin cells get stuck inside the pore creating a blockage that we see on the surface as a blackhead or whitehead.
In spite of the blockage, your oil glands continue to produce oil and so the congestion worsens over time and this promotes the growth of bacteria called Cutibacterium Acnes, which causes inflammation around the pore that on the surface looks like the classic red acne pimple. We all have bacteria on our skin surface but there is a link between the types of bacteria in acne-prone patients versus non-acne patients.
Where do hormones play a role? Hormones help regulate oil production. Increased androgens cause the oil glands to grow and produce more sebum, hence more pore congestion and increased bacterial growth.
Always wash me goodnight
Lifestyle and environmental factors do contribute to acne formation and severity. Some makeup or skin care products may contain oils that can cause breakouts. Look for products that say that they’re non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores. Sleeping in makeup (even non-comedogenic products) can lead to acne. So always make sure that you are completely removing your makeup and cleansing your skin.
This is where cleansing devices like FOREO LUNA 3 can really help because they give a gentle but deep clean with the bristles and helps to ensure that any makeup residue is dislodged from the pore openings thanks to the T-Sonic pulsations.
I prefer the FOREO LUNA 3 over other cleansing devices because the silicone bristles of the LUNA 3 won’t harbor any bacteria, making it more hygienic and they are gentle enough that I don’t have to worry about patients over scrubbing their skin. – Dr. Kashlan
When to take acne treatment
The best treatment for acne depends on your skin condition and the severity and type of acne present, but in general most people need a good skincare routine and prescription medications. When the acne is mild or mostly made of blackheads and whiteheads (comedonal type), topical medications like retinoid creams to help unclog the pores may be adequate.
In contrast, when inflamed red pimples are present or the acne is more moderate to severe, oral medications like antibiotics may be necessary, in addition to medicated creams.
Regardless of the medications your dermatologist prescribes, a good skincare routine with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and daily sunscreen is essential.
Next gen solution: LED lights
Besides antibiotics and topical retinoids, one of the more exciting treatment options for acne is LED light therapy. LED therapy works by decreasing the amount of C. Acnes bacteria is present on the skin and also by calming inflammation around the pores.
Recently, we’ve seen a number of new products that allow for at-home LED treatments. My favorite of these is the FOREO UFO device because it combines LED technology with sheet masks that are formulated depending on skin type and treatment goals. It’s a quick and easy to use device that really takes your skincare to the next level.
For my acne patients who have very oily skin, I recommend using the charcoal based mask to help remove impurities from pores. Acne creams are by nature quite drying so I recommend the hydrating H2Overdose hyaluronic acid mask with the UFO device to help fight the acne but also to moisturize the skin. -Dr. Kashlan
Acne treatments require consistency and patience to see results. Most skincare routines need 4 to 6 weeks to see results, so unfortunately no quick fixes here! And always consult with your dermatologist to get the best acne treatment customized for your skin.
