If you are lucky, you are blessed with bright, glowing skin that requires very little attention. However, most of us will struggle with skin issues at some point in our lives, whether from hereditary concerns, environmental factors, medication, aging, or simply using the wrong skincare products.
If you’re currently dealing with a skin issue, you may feel like your dry, rough, or blemish-filled skin will never improve. Fortunately, for many, it’s just a matter of finding the right treatment and skincare routine.
In this post, we discuss some of the toughest and most frustrating skin concerns: acne, dry skin, and rosacea. We explain some ways to care for your skin under those conditions and, equally important, how to know if that regimen is really working. We hope this advice helps you enjoy radiant skin once again.
Acne
Acne is a common skin concern for men and women of all ages in the US. There is a stigma associated with acne, and some common misconceptions are that you get acne due to unclean skin or consuming greasy food. As you likely already know, acne occurs when hair follicles on your face and body become congested due to the overproduction of sebum and the accumulation of dead skin.
When dealing with acne, the key is to find the right treatment for your specific type of acne, skin type, and lifestyle.
Skincare & Treatment Options
A combination of treatments and products is often the best course of action, but you don’t have to go it alone when searching for the right mix. Your dermatologist will create a customized treatment plan based on your specific acne condition and monitor your progress so you know it’s working. Here are some of the skincare options your dermatologist might recommend:
- Topical and Oral Medications: Topical treatments may contain retinol, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. Topical retinoids can improve comedonal acne or whiteheads and help with cell turnover, leading to less clogging in your pores.
- Facial Treatments: A HydraFacial® treatment works on all skin types to cleanse, exfoliate, and protect your skin from acne-causing bacteria. For stronger exfoliation, try a chemical peel that contains beta hydroxy acid and alpha hydroxy acid.
- Laser and Light-Based Skin Treatments: If you want a more aggressive treatment than topical acne creams, laser and light therapy can provide more targeted treatment. Our Forever Clear® BBL treatment is a 2-step process that eliminates acne-causing bacteria and treats the skin to reduce acne-related inflammation and redness.
How long until you know it’s working: 4 to 6 weeks, but it may take 2 to 3 months for it to clear up more extensively
You know it’s working if: Your skin feels less oily, pores seem smaller and clearer, and you see fewer breakouts.
Dry Skin
If your skincare routine for dry skin is making your skin itchier or rougher, it’s time to find a new routine! While dry skin needs plenty of hydration, using the right skincare products with the right ingredients is essential. We often recommend Obagi Medical products such as Hydrate facial moisturizer and Hydrate Luxe to nourish the skin and protect it from environmental stressors.
If you have very dry skin, topical skincare products may not be adequate. A HydraFacial® is an excellent solution, removing the dead skin cells and saturating your skin with revitalizing moisturizers. A light chemical peel can also offer a dry skin reset, removing the dry, rough outer layer of the skin and allowing your hydrating creams and lotions to penetrate the epidermis more effectively.
How long until you know it’s working: About 2 weeks of consistent, diligent use
You know it’s working if: Your skin is soft and hydrated but not overly greasy. If your skincare routine leaves your skin too oily and with congested pores, it’s not the right routine.
A skilled and experienced esthetician can help your skin reach a happy medium by helping you choose the right skincare routine.
Rosacea
You may have tried many topical rosacea treatments without achieving the results you’re looking for. Since rosacea has no “cure,” it can be difficult to find the right course of treatment. If you are unhappy with treating your rosacea with topical creams or anti-acne medications, you may benefit from light or laser treatments such as a BBL® photofacial or photodynamic therapy (PDT).
- BBL HERO: Reducing the redness associated with broken blood vessels and flushing, a BroadBand Light treatment helps smooth skin tone. You’ll likely need a series of treatments to address your symptoms fully.
- PDT: This therapy is an effective option for certain types of rosacea, delivering targeted light treatment to the affected areas. First, we apply a solution containing aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to the skin and expose it to a special type of light. The light activates the solution, addressing rosacea-related acne.
How long until you know it’s working: About 2 to 3 weeks for BBL treatment; 4 to 6 weeks for PDT
You know it’s working if: Your skin gradually loses its redness, dilated or broken blood vessels fade, or breakouts lessen. Keep in mind that these treatments will likely increase redness at first, and the skin may develop some flaking and crusting after PDT; it may take a couple of weeks for those aftereffects to resolve.
Getting Expert Help With Your Skincare Routine
These are only some of the skin conditions you may deal with on a daily basis. If your skincare routine is not serving you, it’s best to get help from a professional to achieve better results. Our providers will carefully assess your skin concerns and create a customized plan based on your needs.
To learn more about our many skincare treatment options, request a consultation or call us at (541) 200-2444 to schedule an appointment.
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