Acne is common. According to the NHS around 95% of people will be affected by acne between the ages of 11 and 30. So if acne is getting you down, take comfort in the fact you’re not alone. Whether you’re battling bad acne on your face or chest, or you’ve got a case of back acne, you’re in the right place for information that will help you fight it.
What is Acne?
Acne, spots, zits, pimples – whatever you want to call it – is a skin condition. If you’re suffering from acne you’ll notice raised spots on your skin, excess oil, and depending on the type of acne, you may also experience some pain associated with the area.
What Causes Acne?
There are a number of reasons as to why you may experience acne, and these reasons differ from person to person. Acne can be caused by the following -
- Hormones
- Excess sebum
- Your genetic makeup
- Pregnancy
- PCOS
- Non-comedogenic cosmetics
- Medication
- Smoking
- Tight clothing
Acne occurs when your skin’s sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. If this happens then the sebum can block the hair follicles in your skin and in turn this can result in anything from mild acne to severe acne.
Acne can affect anyone but it is most common during puberty and often develops between the ages of 10 and 13. However, it’s not unusual for adult acne to develop in some people and this can often be attributed to stress, medication, contact irritation and hormonal imbalance.
The Different Types of Acne
According to the NHS, there are six different types of acne. They are -
- Blackheads – small lumps that are either black or yellow. Their colour isn’t down to dirt, it’s down to the hair follicle lining producing colour
- Whiteheads – A little like blackheads in appearance but may appear more raised and are filled with a white substance that is a mix of oil, skin cells and bacteria
- Papules – Are generally small and red in appearance, they can be sore when touched
- Pustules – Quite similar to papules but in the centre you’ll see a defined white tip, which is down to a build up of pus
- Nodules – these can be very painful, they are hard lumps beneath the skin’s surface layer
- Cysts – large and filled with pus, definitely the most extreme acne, and not too dissimilar to cysts
How to Get Rid of Acne
Whether you’re dealing with chin acne or a bout of chest acne, the good news is that there are things you can do to help get rid of your spots. In terms of acne skin care, there are loads of products out there that can help make a difference. You could try to -
- Cleanse twice daily with a product like La Roche Posay’s Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel
- Stop picking your spots – the more you touch them, the more chance there is of inflaming the area even more
- Wash your bedding regularly – sleeping on a dirty pillow isn’t going to do your skin any favours
- If you wear makeup, check that you’re using products that are non-comedogenic so they don’t block your pores
- Look for creams that contain salicylic acid
Acne Treatments at Este
If you’re looking for a next level acne treatment, to help you combat adult acne, hormonal acne, or just an annoying spot of forehead acne, there are some great options available to you at Este. These are -
- Pixel Laser Resurfacing – great for treating enlarged pores and acne scars
- Carbon Laser Facial Peel – known as the Hollywood Peel. Renews skin cell turnover, great on acne, and can even help prevent future acne outbreaks
- Dermalux LED Therapy – directly targets acne-causing bacteria, oxygenates the blood, boosts collagen and gives skin a helping hand to heal
- Hydrafacial – a great all-rounder that you can enjoy once a week. Helps brighten dull skin, tackles acne, and boosts collagen
- Azelan Acne Peel – a quick peel that targets skin deep down and removes dead skin cells
- The Magic Needle – a combination of microneedling and short-pulse radiofrequency to help address large pores and acne scarring
- ClearSkin Laser – a cooled laser and vacuum therapy that can be used on all types of acne including as a hormonal acne treatment
Book a Free Consultation
If you’re suffering from acne and the products you’ve tried from the shops haven’t worked, a next-level acne treatment may give your skin the TLC it needs. We know acne can really affect your confidence and self-esteem, so if it’s impacting the way you live your life, take some time to consider a specialist treatment from the skincare experts at Este.
Over the years, we’ve helped transform the skin of many clients, and it’s always great to see results that put huge smiles back on their faces. Book a free consultation at your nearest UK clinic.
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