10 Jun Hundreds of Thousands of Graduating HS Seniors are in for a Big Surprise
One of the cruelest myths that refuses to die is that acne is only for high schoolers. As we sail into summer, here at RefinedMD we also know it’s the season where graduating high school seniors are in for a big surprise. Acne can actually last your entire life. However, hormonal shifts can trigger or exacerbate acne, which is the primary reason why so many teenagers struggle with it. There are different kinds of acne, ranging from common whiteheads and blackheads to severe cystic acne that is painful and can cause permanent scarring. If you’re counting down the days until you start college (or if the teen years are already far behind you) and you still have acne, it’s time to make a change.
The good news is that there are treatments for acne and ways to prevent acne that really work. However, if over the counter topicals have been tried and aren’t cutting it, you aren’t alone. Not many people find success with such products, and they are typically just for the lucky few with mild and occasional breakouts. If you really want to get acne under control this summer, you need professional intervention.
The Real Way to Treat Acne
Acne treatments from skin care professionals are unique because you (and your acne) are one of a kind, too. A combination of in-office treatments, proper at-home treatment, and best practices are going to be required to get acne under control. In-office treatments often include laser skin rejuvenation and chemical peels. The exact laser or energy-based treatment for you is going to depend on your skin tone, type of acne, and current skin condition.
Lasers and chemical peels are also a great way to get rid of acne scarring and pits left by old breakouts. Microneedling is also effective at this as one of the most popular and gentlest collagen induction therapies. Unfortunately, not only does acne not inherently end with high school, the signs of old breakouts can also last forever without professional treatments. But don’t worry. The skin care experts have everything you need to get your acne (and acne scarring) under control.
At-Home Acne Care
Medical-grade skin care products are a must for everyone, and especially those struggling with acne. Medical-grade products are only available from skin care professionals and are the only products that can have the strongest ingredients in the highest concentrations. You may also benefit from either a topical or oral acne treatment prescription.
At-home and in-office treatments must be undertaken simultaneously for the best results. It’s time to ditch those OTC topicals and get serious about acne control. From cleansers and toners to serums and sunscreens, working with a pro to put together a customized skin care regimen is critical for the healthiest skin possible.
Lifestyle Changes to Tackle Acne
There are a lot of myths about acne, such as eating pizza or chocolate will cause it. While a healthy diet is important for your well-being (bearing in mind that your skin is an organ), the occasional treat isn’t going to cause or worsen your acne. Instead, what causes acne are bacteria—which can easily be spread to other parts of the face and body if you don’t follow a recommended skin care regimen.
Acne can also be triggered by outside forces such as oil-based skin care products, hair styling products, and “pollution” on items like masks and baseball caps. If you notice that you break out in a certain area, talk to your provider about your lifestyle to see if there’s a specific cause. Sometimes something as simple as increasing how often you wash your mask or switching to disposable masks can reduce or eliminate breakouts. During COVID, “maskne” became common as chronic mask-wearing led to breakouts on the lower half of the face.
No matter what type of acne you have or how long you’ve had it, help is available. Acne is a real skin condition that can be serious and it’s not a rite of passage. Just because most people have acne at some point in their life doesn’t mean it’s harmless. It can seriously bring down one’s self-esteem. Contact RefinedMD by calling the office or filling out an online contact form to take the first step in acne control.