Stubborn skin issues suck. Especially adult acne. Before you hit the high street looking for DIY solutions, take our advice and put your complexion in the hands of the experts. Here’s why a targeted anti-acne facial could kickstart the healing process…
If you’re battling severe acne you’ll know there’s no such thing as a miracle cure. ‘Healing happens over a period of time, and requires you to adjust more than just your cleansing routine to see results,’ explains skincare expert Penny McQue from the Michaeljohn medispa. Although they offer a wide range of treatments, Penny tells us that the Acnepro Hydrafacial is one of their most popular facials – a results driven treatment promising to get to the very root of the causes of acne. ‘We love to educate our clients so they understand the reasons their skin is misbehaving. We also teach them important techniques which, over time, could actually prevent the problems arising in the first place. I consider this almost as important as the actual treatment itself.’ If you’ve tried and failed to correct your own acne you’ll know that throwing a million and one products at your skin is not the answer. In fact it can make the situation worse.
Book your Hydrafacial AcnePro facial at Michaeljohn Medispa Belgravia now
By Rebecca Hoffnung
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1 Is over-exfoliating causing your acne?
Scrubbing your skin with harsh exfoliators might feel satisfying and leave you feeling squeaky clean but long term it can over stimulate your sebaceous glands leading to even oiler skin. ‘Acid peels can be an effective remedy for acne prone skin, designed to gently remove the top layer of the epidermis along with excess oil and dead skin cells,’ explains Penny. Using either a glycolic or salicylic acid (with differing strengths dependant on the severity of the condition), a peel is considered to be the equivalent of a deep exfoliation but with less stress to the skin. It’s non-abrasive and takes minutes to work. To avoid over-exfoliation which can leave skin over-sensitive and sore, chemical peels are a great alternative for removing dead, clogged layers of skin more easily and effectively.
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2 Beat acne-causing bacteria with LED therapy
‘After a final hydration treatment, your skin will be treated to an LED therapy session using both red and blue lights. It's a great way to treat acne,’ explains Penny. ‘The red light activates collagen production and sends your skin into an intense state of healing.' In other words it reduces any leftover redness from your peel, extractions or from stubborn, angry breakouts. 'The blue light is designed to kill acne-causing bacteria without harming the skin, it also improves clarity and reduces future breakouts,' says Penny. After this part of the treatment, visible results are often immediate, and you'll notice that your skin looks brighter and less inflamed.
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3 Extraction: to squeeze or not to squeeze
We’re all guilty of it, but take it from us, spot squeezing is best left to the experts. From our teenage years we're warned to leave spots alone and with good reason. ''Scarring is a common after-effect of teenage and adult acne,' says Penny. 'It's vital to clear congestion but we understand how to prepare the skin in order to safely extract built up grime blocking pores, we also have special techniques which are gentle on the skin.' Before any extraction begins you'll be given a deep cleanse and a powerful lympahtic drainage facial massage , followed by a detoxifying steam to open the pores. Manual extraction (With your therapists fingers) won't hurt but it can feel slightly uncomforatble at times, especially around the sensitive nose area. 'Gloves are worn for hygiene and we use a special rolling technique to gently coax out your blemishes, we also know which are ready to be squeezed and which should be left well alone,' explains Penny.
More Pro Acne Tips From Penny:
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Acne is triggered by bacteria so hygiene is key, whatever touches your face must be clean! Wash pillowcases, flannels and towels every week.
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Never sleep with your makeup on. Find a gentle, non irritating cleanser that can keep your pores clear without over stripping or exfoliating the skin. Look out for products with ‘glycolic acid’ in them which can help to clear blockages.
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Look at your diet, an excess of sugar, alcohol or dairy could be making things worse.
If acne isn’t your main concern see below!
For extremely dry skin try: Oxygen Facial Nicky Salon
For dull, fatigued skin try: LED Phototherapy London Professional Aesthetics at 193 Whitecross Street
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