beauty
How
Having
a Facial
Can Help
with Your
Acne
by Cynthia Kopylec, L.E.
Nouveau Medispa HAC
Do you or someone you know have acne? More than 90% of
the population will at some time during their lives be affected
by acne. It is a distressing and persistent beast to defeat. Did
you ever think that a facial can help with the acne?
Acne
Facials as a Treatment
Acne is an inflammatory disease of the
sebaceous gland characterized by papules,
pustules, blackheads, whiteheads, and open or
closed comodones. A person could have
all of these, or a combination of characteristics.
Acne usually begins at or around puberty
and can last a few years or even continue into
adulthood. It can also start in adulthood
even if you never had it as a teenager. Acne
usually affects the face and neck area but can
also be found on the chest and back as well.
Although the cause is unknown, acne is linked
to changes in hormones, heredity, and/or other
hormonal imbalances.
To understand acne, you need to understand
the skin and how it functions. Our skin has
pores that are connected to sebaceous glands.
These glands secrete sebum (oil) into the pore
to lubricate and protect the skin and hair. In
acneic skin, this oil is thicker and wax-like,
which prohibits the proper shedding of dead
skin cells and slows down the process. This
results in skin inflammation and redness, and
the clogging or plugging of dead skin, debris,
and oil in the sebaceous gland. This is referred
to as a comodone (whitehead or blackhead)
and can lead to cysts, pustules, papules, and/
or nodules. When comodones stay in the skin,
this prevents oxygen from entering the pore
and allows bacteria to grow, which results in
pustules, infection, and more inflammation.
Pustules, papules, cysts, and nodules lead to
acne scarring because the infection damages
the surrounding tissue, leaving behind an indent
or skin depression.
There are many options for treating and
managing acne ranging from prescription to
over-the-counter products, facials, chemical
peels, and laser treatments. Facials are used to
physically extract blackheads, lessen oil, and lift
away dead skin cells, as well as soothe inflamed
skin. There are three main components to
consider when getting a facial. The first is a
thorough cleansing, which will not only remove
any makeup or products on the skin, but will
also assist in thoroughly cleansing the pores.
The next is exfoliation, in which your esthetician
will choose the appropriate exfoliant/exfoliation
technique for your skin. This will help to debride
the skin of any excess dead skin cells which
can be trapping oil and bacteria in the pores.
It will also increase your skin’s hydration level,
which will help in balancing oil, leaving clearer
and smoother looking skin. Your esthetician
can provide professional extractions to assist in
the removal of blackheads, whiteheads, and/or
pustules without causing any further damage
to the skin. Chemical peels help to dry up
excess oil, kill bacteria, and lift away dead skin
cells to free oil and debris in the pores, leading
to clearer skin and less inflammation. Laser
treatments help to kill bacteria and/or improve
acne scarring. Proper skin care, proper diet
and hydration, and consuming less sugar and
high fat, processed foods may also help control
acneic skin.
Consulting a physician is recommended for
the treatment of acne, however, enlisting the
help of a licensed esthetician in performing
facials is of great value in conjunction with
a physician’s care. A physician can decide if
prescription medication is necessary. A licensed
esthetician has access to highly effective
medical-grade skin care such as Retin-A, benzoyl
peroxide, salicylic, and glycolic acid. They can
create a protocol consisting of appropriate
products, detoxifying facials, extractions, and
skin peels to help skin stay clearer and prevent
the build-up of skin and oil. With the proper
products, care, and maintenance, you will be on
your way to managing and relieving your acne,
whether you are a teenager or adult! Your first
thought when presented with acne may not be
to get a facial, but facials can be more beneficial
than you think.
Nouveau Medispa HAC
By the Downstairs Lobby
302-235-4961
www.nouveaucosmeticcenter.com
Mention reading this article and
receive $20 off a facial!
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