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How To Treat Acne

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What Is Acne?

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that occur when hair follicles under the skin become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It affects people of all ages, but it is most prevalent among teenagers. While it is not a dangerous condition, acne can cause emotional distress and physical pain.

What Causes Acne?

Acne occurs when a skin’s pore becomes blocked by dirt, oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, resulting in the formation of blackheads, whiteheads or pimples.

What are Some Ways to Treat Acne at Home?

To help minimize or prevent acne, here are some things you can do:

Cleanse twice a day
Regardless of your skin type, make sure to wash your face twice a day, in the morning and evening. This keeps your skin healthy and clean, and regulates oil production. It is ideal to choose a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.

Exfoliate once a week
Exfoliation is a good way to get rid of dead skin cells from the skin and achieve more radiant-looking skin. However, be careful not to overdo this step as over-exfoliating irritates the skin further.

Avoid certain makeup products
While it is not necessary to completely avoid wearing makeup altogether, you should make sure to choose the right products that are not irritating to the skin and suits your skin type. Proper makeup removal each time is also very important.

Do not pop pimples
While popping pimples can be tempting, do not pick, squeeze or scratch at your acne. Doing so makes the inflammation worse, and may even leave behind permanent pits or scars.

Have a healthy diet and lifestyle
Fill up your plate with wholesome and healthy food, and stay hydrated. Getting quality sleep and reducing stress help, too.

Choose the right skincare products
Common ones that benefit the skin (when applied correctly) include:

Retinol – A popular ingredient in many skincare products, retinol is a natural vitamin A that exfoliates the skin to prevent the formation of pimples.
Salicylic acid – This ingredient can penetrate deep into the skin to unblock clogged pores and exfoliate the skin.
Tretinoin – A topical cream, this medication is used for clearing up active breakouts, and decreasing the severity and number of pimples. It is known to stimulate cell turnover on the skin with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Antibiotics – Although acne is not an infection, your dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics in some cases to fight off excess bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Isotretinoin – This is used to treat severe inflammatory acne such as cysts and nodules that do not respond to other treatments.

Consult Your Dermatologist

Seeking professional help for acne treatment is worthwhile, especially if your acne is persistent or significantly affecting your self-esteem. Make sure to consult a Ministry of Health-accredited dermatologist for safe and effective treatment. Dermatologists also help prevent and treat any scarring caused by acne.

Acne Treatments at LL Cheong Skin & Laser Clinic

Chemical peel – This procedure uses a chemical solution to remove the top layer of the skin, revealing a smoother layer underneath. This technique exfoliates the skin, peeling off damaged skin cells to produce new healthy skin and reduce the appearance of acne.
Laser resurfacing – Using specialised and focused laser beams, this method targets damaged tissue to improve the appearance of acne and its scars by encouraging the growth of new and healthy skin cells.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy – IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light to destroy unwanted spots like acne, pigment and hair follicles. This procedure stimulates collagen and epidermal growth.
Dermabrasion – This skin-resurfacing method uses a special rotating instrument to get rid of dead skin cells and help release collagen and elastin. Mild and comedonal acne can benefit from this procedure.

These treatments are best done in the hands of a certified dermatologist at a well-equipped clinic, so as to ensure optimal patient safety and outcomes.