Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting about 50 million Americans annually. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that nearly all of us have suffered from acne, whether 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 must take a step back and understand what acne is.
What Is Acne?
Firstly, acne is a problem with pore congestion. In patients with acne, their oil (also known as sebum) and dead skin cells get stuck inside the pore, creating a blockage we see on the surface as a blackhead or whitehead.
Despite the blockage, your oil glands continue to produce oil. Hence, the congestion worsens over time, and this promotes the growth of bacteria called Cutibacterium Acnes, which causes inflammation around the pore that looks like the classic red acne pimple on the surface. 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 they’re non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores. Sleeping in makeup (even non-comedogenic products) can lead to acne. So always ensure you completely remove your makeup and clean your skin before going to bed.
This is where the FOREO LUNA™4 cleansing device comes to the rescue, as it gives a gentle but 99% effective cleanse with its ultra-hygienic silicone bristles. The patented T-Sonic™ pulsations help dilate pores, ensuring that any makeup residue is dislodged from the openings.
When to Take Acne Treatment
The best acne treatment depends on your skin condition and the severity and type of acne present. Still, most people generally need a good skincare routine and, in severe cases, prescription medications. When the acne is mild or predominantly made of blackheads and whiteheads, topical medications like retinoid creams can help unclog pores.
When inflamed, in cases of severe acne, oral medications like antibiotics may be necessary, in addition to medicated creams. Regardless of the medicines your dermatologist prescribes, a good skincare routine with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and daily sunscreen is essential.
Fight Chronic Breakouts With at-Home LED Therapy
Besides antibiotics and topical retinoids, one of the most innovative recent options for acne is LED light therapy. LED therapy works by decreasing the amount of C. Acnes bacteria present in the skin and calming inflammation around the pores.
FOREO ESPADA™ 2 plus is the quickest, simplest and most effective way to fight recurring chronic breakouts, using FDA-cleared medical technology. It features a precise light guide to target individual spots with ultra-concentrated blue LED light that penetrates below the skin to kill acne-causing bacteria at the source, preventing future breakouts. The T-Sonic™ pulsations stimulate microcirculation which accelerates the skin renewal process, fading acne marks and blemishes.
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