Acne – an unexpected skin saviour?

For many people the word ‘acne’ brings on a sense of dread and memories of feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious about their appearance. But the silver lining is that there are some hard won benefits to battling for clear skin that can last a lifetime!

Those who have suffered from acne, particularly at a younger age, tend to make skin care a priority from early on and, generally speaking, take better care of their skin than their blissfully blemish-free counterparts. Acne sufferers have a better understanding and appreciation that small changes to their diet, overall lifestyle and skin care regime can make incredible differences in the appearance of their skin. This includes basic skin care and lifestyle habits such as:

• Don’t sleep with makeup on
• Avoid low quality, harsh skin care products
• Wash your face daily
• Moisturise your face daily
• Protect your skin from the sun
• Avoid foods with high sugar contents and simple carbohydrates
• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise
• Get a decent night’s sleep

Many celebrities such as Katy Perry, Cameron Diaz, Victoria Beckham and even Brad Pitt have battled with acne and come out on top thanks to their dedication to these basic principles. Australia’s own Rachael Finch recently opened up about her insecurities as a teenager as a result of breakouts.

“I always had pimples as a teenager. I was self-conscious about my skin. It wasn’t until I was about 18 that it started to clear and I learned to eat better food to help my skin to glow. When I was younger I didn’t understand what was good and bad for skin and how important SPF is.”

In many instances it is acne sufferers who end up with clearer, glowing skin later in life thanks to the hard work they have put in to creating and maintaining good skin care habits. As time rolls by, it is these people who are likely to find their skin aging better while many who barely took care of their skin in younger years will find the effects beginning to show as they hit their 40s.

There has also been some evidence, including a study published in journal ‘Clinical Anatomy’ in 2015, to suggest that oily skin may not wrinkle as much as dry skin. This is due to the increased thickness of oily skin and the higher natural protection from the elements it offers.

While many of us are relieved to find we have escaped the clutches of acne as we move out of our teenage years, there are some who are surprised and frustrated to find themselves still affected by the acne curse into their 20s, 30s and sometimes even 40s.

For those who have suffered badly at the hands of acne and have been left with pitted skin or scars as a result, there are a number of exfoliation and collagen regeneration treatment options available which can help improve the overall appearance and texture of your skin.

A discussion with an experienced clinician is the best way to determine which treatment option would be most suited to your needs. For some, a series of chemical peel exfoliations may be the way to go. Other patients have reported fantastic results thanks to micro-needling procedures such as Dermapen and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

Micro-needling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), works with your skin’s natural repair system by producing minute ‘wounds’ through controlled penetration of the skin with fine needles. This stimulates cell regeneration and the natural production of collagen to fill the wound, leaving your skin looking and feeling tighter, fresher and more even. The treatments are quickly gaining popularity across the world thanks to their minimally invasive nature, short downtime, and fantastic results.

A series of Dermapen treatments is recommended for optimum results, though improvement in your skin’s texture can be seen within a few days of the first treatment. Patients can resume their day immediately after the treatment.

PRP uses the same technology as Dermapen as well as the healing potential of your own blood to stimulate skin cells, regrow collagen and improve micro-vascular blood flow for younger, healthier looking skin. It is a fantastic treatment option for revitalising damaged skin, smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving the overall texture, elasticity of your skin.

If you would like to discuss treatment options to rejuvenate the appearance and texture of your skin, phone 1800 4 REJUVA (1800 4 735 882) today!

Sources: tesh.com, reneerouleau.com, acne.org.au, newbeauty.com, news.health.com, acne.about.com, webmd.com, dermatology.about.com, beauticate.com, sofeminine.co.uk, fittips4life.com

Pic credits: celebrityinside.com, popsugar.com, artcreationforever.com, vogue.co.uk, huffingtonpost.co.uk