Just like there are several different types of acne—blackheads, whiteheads, hormonal/cystic acne, comedones, papules, pustules—there are also different types of treatment. The right treatment for your acne can vary depending on what is causing your breakouts, your skin type, and many other factors.
One of the most common treatments for acne is called a “spot treatment.” We’ll discuss how these treatments work, and when it’s best to use them.
Acne spot treatments are different from your nightly skincare routine of cleansing skin, applying toner and other serums. These treatments are specifically designed to target a new blemish when it appears and try to speed up the process to eliminate pimples. Some of these treatments work overnight, while others blend into your skin so you can use them during the day.
Most spot treatments work by delivering a powerful dose of acne-fighting ingredients to the spot where you are breaking out. Some also have added benefits of reducing redness or swelling around the area so the blemish won’t be as obvious.
While they can be useful for occasional surface-level papules and pustules (the ones with a white part that pops up above your skin), they are not effective in treating all acne. Acne spot treatments don’t work as well for:
It’s also important to note that acne spot treatments are not necessarily a miracle cure that will make your blemishes go away immediately. Acne appears as inflammation, redness, and eventually pus coming up to the skin’s surface because your skin is trying to eliminate bacteria or other stuff inside your pores. Depending on where it is in the process, spot treatments may still take time to work.
Another common issue that people encounter with spot treatments is simply not knowing what to use and when to use it. There are dozens of over-the-counter medications to choose from that contain one or more ingredients to fight acne:
The key to finding a good acne spot treatment is understanding exactly what is causing your acne and which ingredients can most effectively fight it. Using the wrong one will either not work at all, or it could irritate skin and make blemishes worse. A skincare professional can help you understand your acne and figure out which products will work to clear up skin faster.
Skintherapy offers a variety of products for acne spot treatment. Some of our top products include:
The estheticians at Skintherapy Skincare & Acne Clinic offer online consultations and personalized skincare treatment plans. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your virtual visit today.
Experiencing a severe acne breakout can be embarrassing, but for some people a blemish doesn’t just go away when the pimple clears up. Acne scars can last for several weeks, months, or even years after your acne is gone. So how can you get rid of acne scars or prevent them from happening? Here are some helpful tips and effective acne scar treatment options.
Most acne scars are the result of inflammation that causes pores to swell and break through the walls of the follicle. The scarring could be short-term if it’s minor damage to the follicle that can heal. However, when the walls of the pores become significantly injured the infection can leak into nearby cells and cause further damage. Other things that can lead to acne scarring include:
When your body tries to heal the damaged tissues it produces a protein called collagen. If there isn’t enough collagen to fill in the area that was damaged it can leave an indentation. If your body produces too much collagen, it can raise the area of the skin and leave a permanent bump.
As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and while Benjamin Franklin was not specifically talking about acne when he said that in the early 1700s to his fellow Philadelphians, it still applies in this case. Preventing damaging acne in the first place can help you avoid the need for more treatment later. It’s not always possible to prevent it entirely. But when you start to see frequent or severe acne it’s best to consult a professional to get the products that can help you address it. Over-the-counter products are not designed to help with severe and scarring acne, but a consultant at Skintherapy can discuss your individual needs.
The good news is that if you have scarring you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune on facial treatments. At-home treatment with the right ingredients can help your skin heal naturally over time, the most common of which are:
However, it’s critical to get the right treatment in the right concentration to address your specific scarring. That’s where a consultation with a skincare professional comes in.
If at-home treatments aren’t enough to help with your acne, there are other options:
All these treatments should be done by a professional in a safe setting (they’re not DIY projects). Talk to Skintherapy to learn more about these and whether they are the best choice to treat your acne scarring.
Exfoliation is often essential to maintain clear and smooth skin. Exfoliating cleansers combine the benefits of both cleaning and refreshing the skin while also removing dead skin cells for a bright complexion.
Many people like to use face scrubs as part of their skin care routines. The tricky thing about exfoliation is it can either work wonders for your skin, or it can destroy your skin barrier. While cleansing is a crucial step in any daily skincare regimen, exfoliation is also essential to maintain clear and smooth skin but most people don’t need to exfoliate daily.
Your skin cells are constantly being renewed – this natural process typically occurs on a monthly basis. As a result, dead cells are pushed to the surface of your skin. These cells can accumulate in your pores, leading to the formation of blackheads, a dry, flaky appearance, and of course, acne. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter by sloughing off all those dead skin cells for you and even enhance how well your topical skin care products work by improving absorption.
But the truth is, it’s easy to overscrub. Done incorrectly, physical exfoliation can irritate your skin, causing redness, dryness, or worsening breakouts. Any scrub that contains large, irregularly shaped particles damage the skin, causing tiny microtears in its surface. Common culprits include ground up shells, fruit pits, and volcanic rock. Microtears gradually weaken the skin’s surface and make it more prone to sensitivity. With daily use, especially if you are scrubbing vigorously with these ingredients, the skin loses its ability to restore itself and look healthy. This issue is made worse if the abrasive scrub also contains an irritating fragrance, whether it’s natural or synthetic.
It’s essential to consider your skin type and its individual needs when choosing an exfoliating cleanser. To achieve the best results, it’s important to opt for the ingredients that work with your skin and recognize the ones to avoid. For physical scrubs, it’s best to use a dime sized amount to moist skin and gently massage in a circular motion. Make sure to be gentle because if you apply too much pressure or use too harsh a scrub you can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (additional red marks or scars.) Rinse off with water and follow up with your daily product routine
from there.
For physical scrubs, aim for 1-3 times per week depending on your skin’s sensitivity level and the recommendations of your esthetician. We all crave amazing clear skin but don’t overdo exfoliation, especially if you notice irritation. Sometimes a little scrubbing goes a long way.
Always consult your skincare specialist when it comes to the products and usage for your skin care routine but particularly with a product like a scrub, we want what’s best for your skin. Check out our BPO Scrub for an ingredient-safe designed specifically for exfoliating dead skin cells. To see if this product is right for you, give us a call at 801-800-6602 for a consultation or book an appointment online to find out more.
If you have browsed the store shelves or talked to a skin specialist who knows about the importance of using quality ingredients to fight acne, you have probably heard of benzoyl peroxide. This is one of the most common ingredients in treating acne and here's how it works.
The surface of your skin contains thousands of tiny openings called pores. These pores are essential because they allow sweat and oil to make its way from glands below the surface of the skin up to the surface. There are two types of pores: sweat and oil. Sweat pores send moisture to the surface of your skin to cool it and keep you from overheating. Oil pores allow oil from the sebaceous glands to get to the surface and moisturize your skin naturally.
Your body also has a natural process to remove things that collect inside your pores—such as dead skin cells or dirt—so they can do their job. If you can't clear out the pores properly, things like oil, dirt, and dead skin cells collect and lead to bacteria and inflammation (resulting in acne) as your body tries to get rid of them.
Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial ingredient. What that means is that it works on the surface of your skin to reduce acne-causing bacteria. Rather than trying to fight acne-causing bacteria with antibiotics that you ingest (take through your mouth), benzoyl peroxide works in the specific area where you apply it so it has fewer overall side effects than a prescription you take internally. It also doesn't lead to antibiotic resistance, which is a serious concern among medical professionals.
Once it goes to work on the bacteria that is causing acne, benzoyl peroxide makes it easier for your body to clear out dead skin cells and other things that clog your pores. It's available without a prescription in strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%. The amount you need is based on the cause of your acne, how well your skin can tolerate it, and other factors. Start with a lower dose and increase it over time if you don't see results.
There are a few potential side effects of benzoyl peroxide, but it is generally well-tolerated by most people. If you notice excessive skin dryness stop using benzoyl peroxide and talk to a skin specialist to find out what other options are available. If you have signs of an allergic reaction, stop using it immediately and contact a doctor. It's also important to note that benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair, fabric, or clothing, so wash your hands thoroughly after applying it and skip it right before a workout so your sweat doesn't transfer it to clothing.
Schedule a consultation with a skin specialist to discuss your own acne concerns in more detail, or shop our selection of benzoyl peroxide products today.
When it comes to skin no two people are alike, so why is it that most skincare products and regimens are designed for basically anyone and everyone? While there are some underlying products and ingredients that are beneficial to help most people keep their skin clean and clear, having a more personalized skincare regimen can help you avoid skin problems like dryness, acne, and sensitivity. A more personalized approach is even more important if you have bad breakouts or suffer from embarrassing and difficult acne.
There are a lot of different skin types out there, and for many people the old approach of just using any cleanser, toner, and moisturizer just won't cut it to keep your skin clean and help you fight breakouts. Skincare experts understand that it's important to find the right combination of products that uniquely addresses your needs. If you are currently shopping at a local drugstore or supermarket to get your skincare products and you are not seeing the results you want, stop guessing at what you should be doing and instead get a personalized skincare consultation. An expert can help determine the right products, the right concentration levels, and the right combination to get the skin you want.
There are a lot of different beauty and skincare products you can select, and shopping for them might raise a lot of questions for you. Do you need a serum? When should you be using face masks? Are all moisturizers the same, or are there some that you should use in the morning versus the night?
With so many different skincare products available, it can be difficult to know exactly what to use, in what combinations, and at what time of the day for maximum impact. There are also certain ingredients are aren't designed to be used together—for example, you should avoid using retinols with acids like AHAs or BHAs. A personalized skincare regimen that is designed for you will always provide the right products in the right concentrations and combinations for the best results.
As the number of facial products available continues to increase, so do the number of products with poor or unsafe ingredients. Additionally, some over-the-counter skincare products that are generally safe might not contain high enough concentrations of active ingredients to make a difference. Products that use medical-grade ingredients that are proven to fight acne are going to give you better and faster results without worrying about harmful ingredients like parabens, or suffering with skin irritations.
Teens and adults can all benefit from a personalized approach to skincare, especially if you suffer from acne and frequent breakouts. Find out more about the benefits and schedule a consultation with Skintherapy to get your own personalized regimen today.
If you’re prone to acne, you may have tried a few different remedies and methods to cleanse your skin, including face washes. A face wash is important for managing acne as it rids the dead skin cells, oil, dirt, makeup, and sweat, which cause breakouts.
As key as a face wash is to any skin care regimen, it’s a given that there are tons of different acne face washes available. Luckily you’re not alone in selecting the right one for you.
Benzoyl peroxide reduces excess oil on the skin and removes dead cells that can clog pores. These attributes make it ideal for those with inflammatory acne—red, painful bumps and blemishes. If it’s just a few whiteheads and blackheads you’re dealing with, it may not be the best ingredient for you, since it can be quite drying. But it can be very effective at both treating active acne lesions and preventing new ones, especially if you pair it with a salicylic acid.
To get the most out of your benzoyl peroxide face wash, here are some tips to help you get started:
It works best when used continuously
Benzoyl peroxide works to treat acne by helping to kill the existing acnes bacteria inside your pores. It does not increase your body’s ability to fight the bacteria when you’re not using it. That’s why it’s best to use it continuously—for the treatment of existing blemishes, and the prevention of new ones.
It doesn’t work overnight
When you’re using benzoyl peroxide for acne, it’s important to be patient. It might take a few weeks (longer, in some cases) to see improvement. For most, it proves to be well worth the wait.
It’s best to ease into it
To help mitigate irritation when you start an acne regimen that uses benzoyl peroxide, start slowly—an hour or two a day—to see how your skin reacts. As we mentioned earlier, some minor irritation is normal. That said, if a product causes burning, swelling and itching that worsens with each use, it could signal an allergic reaction, and you should stop using it immediately and notify your Skintherapy esthetician.
More isn’t necessarily better
You’ll find that benzoyl peroxide products range in concentrations from 2.5% to 10%. Depending on the severity of your acne, you may want to start with the lowest concentration and work your way up. Your esthetician can help you decide what works best for you according to your skin.
Interested in trying a BPO wash for your acne? Click here to check out our 2.5% BPO Wash. Keep in mind products with active ingredients work best under the direction of an expert.
For a more in depth look into what Skintherapy can do for you and your skin, start by giving us a call at 801-800-6602. We can answer any questions or concerns you have and help you find a regimen that works.
To book your appointment today, click this link and get started. We are happy to meet with you in person or virtually to help you get your skin clear.
How often should you wash your face? We’ve all become accustomed to washing our hands often, many more times a day that you would likely ever think to wash your face. It can feel mysterious-how much is too much and how much is too little?
On one hand, you want to get rid of the dirt and bacteria that accumulates on your skin and causes breakouts but you also don’t want your skin to get dried out, itchy, and raw like your hands can sometimes be.
Ideally you want to be washing your face twice a day, every morning and night. This gets rid of grime, sweat, and makeup that can build up in your pores during the day and then freshens your skin after a night of sleeping to help get rid of bacteria and dead skin cells to ultimately prime your skin for your morning routine.
In most cases, overwashing can be as bad as underwashing but washing twice a day gives you a good balance to your routine to keep your skin clear and breakout-free.
Some important tips to keep in mind when it comes to washing your face:
Washing should never leave your skin dry or flaky
If you notice that your skin is too dry, flaky, red, or sensitive after washing it may be that the cleanser you are using is too exfoliating. Using a gentler cleanser will help keep your skin and its moisture barrier healthy.
Cleansing oils can add more oil to already acne prone skin
Particularly if you already have acne-prone skin, skip the cleansing oils. Introducing even more oil can cause worse breakouts than you might usually have. For oily skin, you may want to try a more exfoliating cleanser to help get those oils up and out of the skin.
It’s all about balance
You should use a cleanser that helps exfoliate and and remove impurities but won’t strip the skin of all of its natural oils.
Remember, all topical acne treatments work best on freshly washed and thoroughly dried skin. It’s important for everyone but particularly those with acne-prone skin to avoid washing with typical soaps. Many soaps have harsh chemicals or perfumes that may irritate the skin and cause dryness. It’s best to use a face wash that’s specifically formulated with ingredients to prevent acne if you have frequent breakouts.
For starters, good skin care is all about products. At the end of the day, what you put on your skin is just as important as how you use it and how often.
The best cleanser you can begin with is this Gentle Cleanser. Gentle enough to even remove eye makeup, it can be used night and day and won’t dry your skin out. While at the same time powerful enough to clean impurities from sensitive and oily skin to help keep your skin clear.
For a more detailed approach on how to handle your skin care, give us a call at 801-800-6602 or book your consultation online today. We are professionals trained to help you get your skin clear with some of the most effective acne-specific formulated products on the market. Reach out with any questions or concerns and we would be happy to help you get started on your journey to clear skin.
The word retinol has become such a common phrase in the skincare industry that most people have it in their routines or will use it for its anti-aging properties. It's arguably the most famous and effective anti-aging ingredient but can also treat a handful of other common skin hang ups including texture, dark spots, and acne. The question is, what is it really and what does it do?
Retinol is the purest form of vitamin A. Vitamin A helps the skin rebuild itself and assists in the healthy promotion of collagen and elastin formation by stimulating fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen in the dermis) making skin look firmer and more plump.
Retinol is a close cousin to retinyl palmitate, though it is about 20% more potent. Retinyl palmitate was created before retinol but they do not achieve the same effects. Similar, but not quite the same. Most skin types are far more tolerant of retinyl palmitate because it is the least irritating of the retinoid family.
Retinyl palmitate, sometimes called vitamin A palmitate, it's the least powerful retinoid and an option for those with extremely sensitive skin who want to experience the benefits of retinol in their skincare routines, without the irritation. Despite the fact that retinyl palmitate is mild, it can still improve the same skincare concerns a retinol would. But there is one catch. Retinyl Palmitate boosts collagen in the skin, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, and smooths the texture of the skin the same way that a stronger retinol would. But while gentler retinoids like retinyl palmitate are effective and you still get the benefits, it usually takes a little bit more time.
Even though retinyl palmitate is comparatively mild, it's still recommended you introduce it into your nighttime skincare routine slowly. It’s best to start with one night a week and build up slowly, adding just one additional night each week and build up to as often as your skin can tolerate. If you’re experiencing a little irritation or dryness, then back off a little from there. While some people can use retinyl palmitate every night, other people can only handle it three times a week. It ultimately just depends on your skin and what it can tolerate.
Since retinyl palmitate is so gentle, side effects like itching, redness, and peeling are rare, but typically minimal if they do happen. If you have extremely sensitive skin or a condition like rosacea and eczema, it's best to use with caution or avoid retinyl palmitate all together to ensure you don't experience irritation.
To try retinyl palmitate yourself, here is an excellent product recommended by skincare expert Jil Goorman called Deluxe Plus Exfoliating Serum. This product works wonders, especially when under the guidance and instruction of our Skintherapy estheticians. As suggested above, it works amazingly for your anti-aging concerns like fine lines and wrinkles.
For your personal skin consultation Skintherapy knows the importance and benefits of using the correct products for your needs. Please give us a call at 801-800-6602 to start your consultation today whether it be online or in person. Click here to book your appointment today.
You may have heard people raving about microdermabrasion and wondered if it was a good option for you. This popular skin treatment is relatively simple, and it provides a ton of benefits for your skin. Let’s talk about what it is, and some of the main reasons you should schedule a microdermabrasion session with an aesthetician in Salt Lake City.
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive skin procedure that uses an abrasive device and crystals or diamonds to exfoliate your skin. It removes dead skin cells from the top layer of skin and leaves your face looking and feeling clearer, brighter, and healthier. It’s a relatively simple procedure, and only takes about 20 minutes when you have it done at a local spa by a licensed aesthetician. You can also choose to follow it up with a peel, soak, or other treatment. Overal it’s one of the simplest ways to refresh your skin once or twice a month.
Just about all skin types can benefit from microdermabrasion. This procedure offers several perks for your skin:
There are some at-home microdermabrasion tools, but it’s important to know that’s not the same as getting the procedure done at a spa or clinic. At-home kits are less powerful and will not penetrate as deeply into your skin, which means the results won’t be as noticeable. It’s also important to consult a professional before you get microdermabrasion to reduce the chance of a negative side effect or problem during the procedure.
To add microdermabrasion to your routine today, contact Skintherapy in Salt Lake City.
Skin picking is a hard habit to break that many who suffer from acne have to deal with. It’s called Excoriation disorder, dermatillomania, or chronic skin picking and it impacts as many as 1 in 20 people.
Sometimes there are no specific causes for skin picking. It can develop over years or become a habit when you are bored, anxious, or simply unaware (such as when you are simply touching your face while watching TV or studying.)
While there are many reasons why you may start picking, here are some of the most common reasons:
Feeling anxious or being deep in concentration can make you yearn for a sense of control. Picking a pimple can bring a sense of satisfaction when you spot a bump or have an itchy pimple and decide to pop it on your own. Then this can lead to infection, more pimples, and scarring. It’s common to pick your skin when you are stressed out, which causes your skin to break out, which leads to more picking. Truly a vicious cycle.
The biggest reason for picking is the sense of urgency in wanting clear, smooth skin. Perhaps you feel like your skin looks better when the pimples are picked and slightly flatter (better for pictures and wearing makeup, right?)
But this can end up creating excessive scar tissue in and around the pore, hyperpigmentation, and scars that can’t be broken down by procedures and products. Picking your skin usually doubles the time it takes to clear the infection from that particular pore because the scar tissues has to be broken down first before the rest of the zit can be professionally extracted.
Tips on how to stop picking at your skin
You can’t pick your skin if you have a mask on! Not only will using a refreshing, clarifying face mask keep you from picking at zits, but it will help rejuvenate and cleanse your skin to prevent future breakouts and help soothe the ones you may already have. Check out our amazing masks here for any skin or acne type.
Skintherapy offers professional extractions for when you have a breakout or even just one pimple. This is a breath of relief for when you need to bring smoothness back to your skin but don’t want to spread infection and pus to other pores on your face. Preventing scars and the build up of scar tissue and extra pigmentation can help you feel better about the health of the look of your skin instead of potentially making it worse.
It’s too easy to get caught up in the close inspection of your face for pimples. Sooner or later the temptation gets to be too great and your end up picking one and then maybe another. Eventually you realize your face is a mess of now bloodied zits. The best way to avoid this cycle is to avoid the mirror. If you catch yourself starting the cycle of inspecting and examining your skin, take a deep breath and step away from the mirror.
Avoid making the problem worse by taking preventative and proactive measures to help make your skin look and feel better in the long run.
No one wants to help you achieve clear skin more than we do! Book your first appointment (or a return appointment if you’ve worked with us before!) by clicking on this link. We’re happy to take appointments and consultations over the phone as well at 801-800-6602.
Your skin is the barrier between the outside world and your body. It’s exposed to all kinds of things throughout the day—pollution, dirt, sunlight—and all of these things can cause damage to your skin. Protecting against these environmental hazards is an important part of skincare. One of the best ways to create a barrier is with sunscreen.
Every time you go outside, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, and your face is usually exposed all the time (unless you wear one of those floppy sun hats around all day, every day). The amount of time it takes for the sun to damage your skin will vary depending on your skin type and level of pigmentation, but for most people, it only takes about 15 to 25 minutes before ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin and damage the underlying layers. This leads to premature signs of aging and can put you at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Adding sunscreen to your morning skincare routine can protect your skin from damage.
Sunscreen application should follow your normal cleansing routine, usually after you use a cleanser and toner, but before you apply any makeup. This allows the ingredients to penetrate the layers of your skin and be absorbed enough to offer adequate protection. Applying makeup before sunscreen might block absorption, which will reduce sunscreen’s effectiveness.
There are a few things to consider when you’re trying to choose a sunscreen for your face:
SPF is a measure of how much UV-blocking power your sunscreen has. Higher SPF offers more protection. For example, an SPF of 30 will protect your skin for 30 times longer than it would normally take for your skin to burn—if it takes 20 minutes for your skin to burn without any sunscreen, SPF 30 offers about 600 minutes of protection or 10 hours. For most people, an SPF of 30 offers plenty of protection, but there are SPF formulations that are higher (40+) if you prefer it.
Applying sunscreen is essential, but you need to find the right formulations to avoid clogging pores and causing acne. Choose a sunscreen that is specially designed with quality ingredients that won’t lead to more breakouts or cause your existing breakouts to get worse.
The other skincare products you are using, such as cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers can affect when you need to apply sunscreen. A virtual consultation can help too, and a skincare expert can ensure you are using the right sunscreen to fight acne and avoid breakouts.
Shop our line of acne-safe sunscreen products at Skintherapy Skincare & Acne Clinics online today to protect your skin from UV rays.
There are a lot of factors that can impact whether you experience breakouts, and one of the most common concerns that people have is whether their acne could be causing (or worsening) breakouts. The answer is yes, makeup can definitely affect breakouts. Much of that depends on the quality of your products, and whether they contain ingredients that clog your pores.
For many women, the first instinct when you start to see acne forming on your face is to reach for your base or concealer to cover it up. The trouble? This can start a vicious cycle of more or worsening breakouts, which means you will need more makeup for a longer period of time. In fact, many skincare specialists will recommend that you avoid using makeup at all when you have acne because of the harm it could cause. Unfortunately that leaves you to deal with unsightly and sometimes embarrassing acne without anything to mitigate it.
Most of the makeup you purchase off the shelves of drugstores, grocery stores, or even bigger beauty store chains and big-box stores has ingredients that can clog your pores. This exacerbates existing breakouts (making them last even longer or cause more skin irritation) and can put your skin at risk of developing more breakouts in the future if it causes oil and dirt to get trapped inside your pores, leading to bacteria and inflammation.
Fortunately you don’t have to go completely makeup-free just because you are experiencing breakouts. The key is to find products with the right ingredients that don’t cause or make acne worse. Finding acne-safe makeup usually means shopping on skincare websites where the products are specifically formulated to prevent clogged pores.
But beware, many makeup brands may say they don’t clog pores, indicate they are “for acne”, “dermatologist tested”, or “organic”, while their formulations are still filled with pore-clogging ingredients. We recommend our makeup line from Jil Goorman Beauty instead. None of our makeup formulations contain pore cloggers because we specifically created them to address the skin concerns of people who suffer from acne.
We believe it’s better to stick with skincare products that have extensive research behind them and skincare specialists to help you figure out which products are best. Ready to ditch your acne-causing makeup? Shop the full line of Jil Goorman Beauty today to find acne-safe products that prevent breakouts.
Most of the time, social media and acne seem like they don’t go together. Everywhere you look, there are pristine airbrushed pictures of people living their best lives. It can often feel like acne doesn’t fit into that standard.
Research has shown that out of 1010 teens (15-19 years old) who were surveyed about how acne impacted their social media usage, 86% said they have or have had acne before. 68% said they or their peers alter their photos to hide their acne and 58% said they offered to take the photograph to avoid being in the picture.
Acne anxiety has been amplified by social media, a tool that was created to connect us to each other. But acne anxiety doesn’t have to control your life or your social media pages.
Acne positive social media pages and hashtags have been growing in popularity lately--and for good reason! Some feature personal stories of the journey through struggling with acne. Others talk about tips and awareness of what brings about breakouts. All of these posts feature different skin textures, types of acne, and how to overcome feeling like you can’t be in the picture. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when posting on social media or even taking pictures of yourself to help you feel more confident and comfortable:
Life isn’t perfect and sometimes your skin isn’t either. The important part to remember is that you have value regardless of what your skin looks like. You are allowed to accept the flaws and love your skin.
You can’t always change how your skin looks and feels with makeup on. Those of us with textured skin from acne realize this early on. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t look and feel beautiful. If makeup makes you feel better, by all means, do you. Loving your skin is a journey for everyone. Believe in yourself that you can take that first step toward being comfortable in your own skin.
You bring something rare and wonderful into the world with or without acne. You can find your confidence and fully believe all the amazing qualities that you are. You can laugh, smile, and take pictures without fear of what you look like. Because in those moments, you are at your most beautiful.
When you invest your own money into products and don’t see immediate results, sometimes it can be discouraging. A lot of times, we look for quick, cheap, easy fixes that may only work temporarily or not at all. That’s why excellent skincare and working with an a professional who just treats acne is worth the investment from the very start. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and realizing that your skincare is actually working for you instead of against you makes the entire journey worth the ride.
For more inspirational tips, tricks, and results follow us on Instagram at @utahacneclinic. Remember, we can help treat your acne without prescription medications or Accutane in our clinic. To book an appointment, whether it be your first or your hundredth, click here. You can always give us a call and ask questions at 801-800-6602. Visit our website to view our products, before and after photos, and more educational posts!
Acne associated with friction of fabric touching your skin (like a hat, mask, or helmet) is called acne mechanica. We all have tiny little hair follicles on our face, chest and back, and wearing anything that creates friction and pressure can irritate the hair follicles and result in an acne flare.
While vital for helping protect yourself and others from viruses and bacteria, face masks are causing an increasing number of cases of acne mechanica. We’re here to share some tips on how to prevent acne mechanica from wearing a mask, whether you wear it for 8 hours a day or less than one.
Using a gentle face wash before putting on a mask and going out can help wash away dirt and oil that could get trapped and become a breeding ground for bacteria and acne. Be careful to avoid rubbing or scrubbing the skin.
Even wearing a little makeup can contaminate your mask pretty quickly. Masks also act as occlusive barriers which means that makeup can become trapped and lead to breakouts. Makeup residue can also soil the fabric of your mask.
Keep a rotation of clean masks on hand to avoid wearing the same mask before washing. This will help keep dirt and bacteria from rubbing against your face.
When washing your mask, use a fragrance free detergent and lay flat to dry. Fragrance within fabric can be an irritant, so you definitely don’t want it on your face especially for long periods of time.
Well, what if it’s too late and you already have acne that you suspect is caused by wearing a mask? Here are a few tips to help once acne mechanica has already set in.
A scrub could cause additional skin irritations if your acne is being caused by friction. This benzoyl peroxide cleanser can help reduce acne-causing bacteria on your skin.
Irritation can be compounded by dry skin. Using a light moisturizer can help ease the effects of friction and restore balance to your skin.
If you have acne, whether it be for a long time or just a short period, you’ve heard not to touch your face before as to not exacerbate it. This is doubly true now. Help your skin heal more quickly by not picking or touching it.
Thank you for reading our tips for preventing helping care for acne caused by wearing a mask. The next step to getting your skin clear is to visit us by booking your appointment at our website. We can help develop a customized routine for clearing your acne, no matter what the cause. You are also welcome to give us a call at 801-800-6602. If you prefer, we also offer online consultations to suit your needs and comfort.
Everybody wants to look beautiful and attractive. Looking good is a great way to boost your confidence. It helps you face the world with poise and conviction.
But when you are pregnant, things are a little different. It is not just about you anymore. It is also about your unborn baby.
Everyone's skin and pregnancies are different. If you’ve noticed a sudden change in your skin, your doctor should be your first stop for a treatment plan and you should always consult them before trying a new product yourself.
At Skintherapy, we have helped many pregnant and breast-feeding women control their acne but we also work with your doctor to ensure the products and services are safe for both you and your child.
What is Safe to Use During Pregnancy
Many products are considered safe for moms, including benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most widely recommended acne treatment medications and most physicians consider it safe to use during pregnancy. It can work wonders for breakouts on the face, back, and shoulders, though you should keep it off your chest if you’re breastfeeding.
There are other options, too, if you prefer a more conservative approach: You could also use a serum with mandelic acid, because it’s derived from almonds. These are some suggestions of products that we may offer to help but we will consult with your doctor first before recommending what might work best for you.
What to Avoid During Pregnancy
For parents or soon-to-be parents who are finding their pimples especially distressing, the experts recommend seeking professional help to get to the root cause and to establish an effective acne plan. If you’re beyond pregnancy and lactation, there are also many effective treatments available. They may take time, but something will work for you. And if you’re expecting, think of it this way: Pregnancy acne is essentially a sign of a good thing—it’s because you’re pregnant.
Luckily, hormonal acne and acne that occurs during pregnancy doesn’t have to impact your life. There are still acne treatments out there that you can use during pregnancy. At Skintherapy, we are happy to discuss your options with you and keep your doctor included in the consultation to make sure you are safe with our Clear & Acne Free Program™.
To book your consultation with Skintherapy to help get your skin clear, click here or give us a call at 801-800-6602. We also offer online consultations!
Hormones are a part of life for both men and women, and as they fluctuate they can lead to embarrassing and even painful hormonal acne. This type of acne can occur in your teen years or later in life, especially for women who experience fluctuating hormones as a result of pregnancy and eventually menopause, and who are more likely to experience thyroid problems.
While hormonal acne is not the same as other acne, like many other breakout concerns, you need to find the right skincare routine and possibly make some lifestyle modifications. A skincare professional who treats all types of acne can help you figure out the right approach.
Most hormonal acne will appear along your jawline and chin, although it can appear in other places. In addition, a common sign that it is hormonal (and not more traditional acne vulgaris) is cystic acne. It appears as large, irritated, and painful red bumps deep under the skin. It’s also more like to leave a scar behind without proper treatment. If this is the type of acne you’re experiencing, most over-the-counter treatments won’t be as effective, and you will benefit from seeking treatment from a skincare specialist.
Using quality products to treat hormonal acne can help significantly in your ability to control it. Ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), high concentration of benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids have been shown to be effective at addressing this painful condition. Your best option is to schedule a consultation with a skincare specialist to identify exactly what you need and find the right products rather than just trial-and-error that could even make hormonal acne worse.
There are also some medications that a dermatologist can prescribe to help treat hormonal acne. While these can be effective at eliminating or significantly reducing breakouts, they won’t always be the best option. Medications often come with side effects that can be difficult to deal with, and in some cases the medication ingredients may not be safe to take during pregnancy, which is a time when hormonal acne commonly flares up for women.
In most cases, it’s easier (and sometimes safer) to develop an effective skincare routine to address hormonal acne so you won’t have to deal with the side effects of prescription medication.
There are a lot of advertisements for “natural” remedies, especially for hormonal acne. While plant-based or natural remedies won’t have the side effects of some prescription medications, there is often very little (or no) research behind the effectiveness of these therapies. In addition, natural remedies that promise to “balance” your hormones often use plant-derived ingredients, which have different hormonal structures than your body’s natural hormones. Natural remedies may also interfere with other prescription medications, so you should never take supplements without first talking to your primary care doctor.
To learn more about products and therapies for your hormonal acne, contact our skincare specialists today.
You may have heard of adding peptides to your skincare routine, and while they may not get as much attention as retinols and hyaluronic acid, they are growing in popularity because they offer some great benefits for your skin.
Peptides are, scientifically speaking, short amino acid chains that your body uses to build proteins like collagen, keratin, and elastin. Your body uses these ingredients as the foundation for repairing skin and giving it more strength and resilience. Topical peptides—the ones you find in skincare products—are like triggers that signal your skin to produce more collagen and giving it more elasticity and bounce. As we age our skin produces less collagen, losing some of that elasticity and increasing the appearance of wrinkles.
You may be wondering why you couldn’t just use a product with collagen in it to increase collagen levels in your skin. A number of oral collagen supplements have popped up on store shelves recently, however if taken orally it only ends up in your stomach and is digested through the gut---never showing up as a benefit to your skin. Also, topical collagen molecules in skincare are too large to be absorbed into your skin so they don’t work either.
Peptides also provide other skin benefits that collagen supplements alone can’t offer:
One of the most important things to know about peptides is that they are not the only thing you need for healthy, beautiful skin. They are one tool to use in fighting the signs of aging, inflammation, and sun damage, but they should be used in combination with other key ingredients for maximum benefit. Additionally, there are some ingredients that can reduce the effectiveness of peptides, so it’s important to know what not to use in combination with your peptide skincare products.
At Skintherapy we have an amazing product containing two of the most popular peptides on the market today. To learn more about the Deluxe Plus Serum, visit our website or schedule a virtual or in-office consultation with one of our skincare professionals. We can help you find the right peptides and other products to reverse the signs of aging, fight acne, and improve overall skin tone and appearance.
Acne can happen at any time during a person’s lifetime but what about those who already have acne and then become pregnant? To add to the discomfort of sometimes painful blemishes, you now have morning sickness, swollen feet, and additional hormones streaming through your system.
For most pregnant women, the hormonal shifts during pregnancy can be less than comfortable. Not only is your body changing on the outside, but on the inside as well. Hormones like progesterone and androgens increase exponentially during pregnancy. For those with acne, this can make it even worse. This is because androgens increase sebum production, which in turn clogs up the pores and causes more breakouts and increases their severity.
Pregnancy acne usually starts around the 6 week and lasts through the first and second trimester but for those who started out with acne already, pregnancy usually doesn’t result in the “glowing skin” that some women talk about. Acne, blotchiness, and facial swelling are all pretty typical outcomes of pregnancy. The question is, what can you do to get and maintain clear skin while pregnant?
The main acne treatment to avoid during pregnancy is Accutane. Accutane can be a very powerful medication to treat acne, but for anyone who is pregnant or is trying to become pregnant, it can cause severe birth defects and health issues for the baby. It is strongly advised not to use products containing large amounts of Vitamin A, including Accutane, retinols, salicylic acid and most chemical peels.
While many acne products are not good to use during pregnancy, there’s still hope.
Most acne medications are too intense for those who are with child or planning to start a family but there are options for topical products that can safely help keep breakouts at bay, even while pregnant.
Even if you don’t have acne but are planning on becoming pregnant, pregnancy acne is a real thing that you should be aware of. Another thing that most people don’t consider when pregnant, is how to manage acne while nursing your baby, when hormone levels can still be out of whack and cause breakouts.
What will help most during this time is an acne program that can work with any changes in your life, including one of the biggest changes one can experience in your lifetime: pregnancy. Your health and safety are your number one concern as well as ours.
At Skintherapy, we have a dedicated team of acne experts who can help customize a skincare routine to help you navigate your skin during this important time in your life. Pregnancy may be uncomfortable in many ways but acne doesn’t have to be one of them.
Not only do we have acne safe products, we also have pregnancy safe products. We can help you build a routine that will keep your skin and your baby safe during pregnancy. We will also work with your doctor to get his or her approval on our approach. If you are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, consider giving Skintherapy a call at 801-800-6602 to help you find the right program and products that work for your skin. If you’d like to book your appointment online, you can click this link here. And to find more information about acne and our program, click here.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what your skin really needs to be as healthy as possible. This article will help answer those questions by providing these evidence-based tips on what you can do to get the glowing, acne-free complexion you want.
Most acne can't be treated with over-the-counter products most effectively. If your acne isn’t clearing up you may want to work with someone who specializes in acne. There are topical treatments that can wipe out acne better than the OTC remedies and a good Acne Expert can create a plan for you that will deliver results. Even if you feel like you’ve already tried everything to clear your acne.
You Don't Stick Long Enough to a Regimen
Inflamed skin takes time to calm down and heal. Give yourself at least 3 to 6 months on a regimen to see results. And make sure you apply treatment to the entire affected area. If you spot treat, the bacteria could grow elsewhere.
Some people go cold turkey once the worst of their breakouts are over only to find their acne flares up again. Once your skin clears up, it's important to keep up your regimen so you can continue having clear skin.
If you’re prone to breakouts or have oily skin, don’t skimp on washing your face as part of your morning and evening skin care routine. In a study that focused specifically on face washing, participants were asked to wash their face one, two, or four times a day for a six-week period. At the end of the study, there was a significant improvement in the acne lesions of those who washed their face twice a day. The participants who only washed their face once a day had the greatest increase in pimples. Plus those that washed more then twice a day became dry and really irritated which made their acne worse.
The aisles at most drugstores are packed with all sorts of facial cleansers. Trying to figure out which one is right for you can be overwhelming. When it comes to choosing the “best” cleanser, fancier may not necessarily be better.
Having a trained acne expert help you select the best cleanser for you can mean the difference between being overwhelmed with all the options and having one easy solution to your acne problems.
Although there’s limited research on the connection between your diet and your skin, several studies have shown that foods with a high glycemic index may be linked with acne.
In a large study from 2009, more than 2,000 participants were placed on a low-glycemic diet. Not only did they lose weight, but 87 percent of the study’s participants also found they had less acne.
To cut back on foods with a high glycemic index try to:
These are just a few tips to remember to help get your skin clear. To read more about how to get clear skin, click here. When you are ready to start our acne clearing program click here or give us a call at 801-800-6602 to book your appointment. As always, stay safe, stick to your routine, and we’ll see you soon!
Have you noticed redness and small pimple-like bumps on your skin that flare up from time to time and could take weeks or months to go away? Many people mistake these for traditional acne and treat them with the usual products—cleanser, toner—while covering them up with makeup to hide the redness and irritation. But it could actually be a condition called acne rosacea, which requires a different type of treatment. Here are three things you should know about acne rosacea to avoid the embarrassing and sometimes painful condition.
While traditional acne tends to peak around your teenage years when your body is experiencing a change in hormones that increases oil production, acne rosacea usually affects people over the age of 30 and is not a result of poor hygiene. The specific cause is unknown but it’s more likely to occur in:
When you experience acne rosacea you usually have “flare-ups” that could last a few days, or even a few weeks or several months at a time. You will notice facial redness that is usually concentrated around the center of your face (nose and cheeks), caused by swollen blood vessels. Most people also develop swollen bumps that look like pimple and are either red or contain pus, and can make your skin feel tender and warm.
The specific cause of a flare-up is not always easy to determine and it can be different for everyone. It may be caused or exacerbated by:
Understanding when you have acne rosacea is important to get the right treatment. Unlike other acne or breakouts, this condition is not just caused by excess oil production and wearing certain makeup or using certain face cleansers could actually cause the breakouts and flare-ups to get worse. A skin consultant can help you figure out if you have acne rosacea and identify the appropriate products to treat the condition, including ones with salicylic acid like our Exfoliating Serum #1 and our Oily Skin Toner.
You can also get advice to help identify the triggers and actively avoid things that might cause a flare-up in the future, along with finding makeup and gentle cleansing products to minimize irritation.
Schedule a virtual skin consultation today to learn more about acne rosacea and how to properly treat it.
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