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Everything You Need to Know About Acne...

August 23, 2021

… why it appears, what causes it, and what we can do to fight it - all in one place. According to the dictionary, acne is a skin condition, common among young people, that produces many pimples (= spots), especially on the face and neck. However, people who suffer from acne know first-hand that it is so much more than that - a cause for sleepless nights, a river of tears, a lack of self-love…

Acne doesn’t care about age

The emotional side effects of acne are huge and are something we should all talk about. But to do that, we have to understand this skin condition at its core. First of all, it is not true that only teenagers get acne. In fact, 54% of women and 40% of men above 25 years of age suffer from some degree of acne. According to one study, more than 90% of people are affected by acne at some point in their life, making it the 8th most prevalent disease worldwide. Acne occurs when our hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. And clogged pores don’t care about age - they care only about creating the perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive.

When acne-causing bacteria decide to make problems for us, it can range from “innocent” blackheads and whiteheads to multiple inflammatory pustules, papules, and even cystic nodules.

Causes of acne: from heat to hormones and fatigue

There are so many causes of acne - some temporary and some more permanent. We may never know for sure when we’re going to have to deal with another breakout. One evening we may have flawless skin, and the next morning we have an uninvited visitor on our face. It can be really annoying if it happens to be the same day we have a big presentation at work, or a date (which it almost always is). Or, acne can be as much a part of our daily life as the hair on our heads. Hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, thyroid dysfunction, or even harmless menstrual cycles are among the most common acne triggers. But they’re not the only ones. Extreme weather (combination of extreme heat and high humidity), physical stress such as lack of sleep, dehydration or fatigue, heavy make-up... Our skin will react even to sunscreen and other oil-based products. Unfortunately, with more acne.

Results of acne: both physical and psychological

As many of us know, acne can cause permanent physical side-effects such as scarring of the skin. However, as a visible skin condition, acne can have a profound impact on mental health, confidence, and self-worth; and as a result, relationships, friendships, and work. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found patients with acne had an increased risk of developing major depression and anxiety. And as an adult with acne, spots continue to evoke shame, embarrassment, and feelings of inadequacy. On the flip side, having clear and healthy skin has been shown to have many positive psychological benefits. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology suggests that people with clearer skin have a reduced risk of being depressed than those who don’t. The same study concludes that people with clearer skin are far more likely to be outgoing, sociable, go out on dates, and try to look for better jobs – factors that can have a positive feedback loop on your mental health.

How can you treat acne?

Luckily for us, today there is an arsenal of treatment options for acne that depend on the type of acne we are dealing with. For example, medications such as oral birth control pills can help stop some of the causes of acne - hormonal ones. But for those who are fighting other types of acne, LED light therapy is one of the most effective treatments.

Products with salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is often used as a key ingredient in acne treatments. This is because it helps to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells, two things that can contribute to the development of acne. You can try ESPADA Blemish Solution, a gentle and lightweight gel that is formulated with a power-packed combination of ingredients. It quickly targets breakouts on the surface of your skin. Unlike most acne medications which can cause unsightly dryness and peeling skin, ESPADA Blemish Solution keeps skin moisturized. The result is a spotlessly clear and radiant complexion. [caption id="attachment_12626" align="aligncenter" width="632"]

ESPADA Blemish Solution is formulated with 2% salicylic acid to effectively tackle blackheads and whiteheads[/caption]

Blue LED light

Blue LED light is most often used to treat acne thanks to its antimicrobial effect, which kills many types of acne-causing bacteria that collect in your pores. This means that blue LED light treatments like FOREO ESPADA can treat your breakouts. And while blue LED light is powerful, it is also non-invasive and gentle and offers anti-inflammatory effects. ESPADA FOREO acne

It has even been shown to increase collagen which promotes new tissue growth and is therefore great for improving scarring and blemishes on the skin.

It is always better to prevent...

Luckily, acne often can be prevented with a proper and quality skincare routine that starts with cleansing. Namely, to prevent acne you have to remove dirt, oil, makeup residue, and all other impurities trapped deep within pores. Sometimes it is hard to achieve that using just washcloths since they can't reach deep into your pores, so you need a little help from your friend - tech, or to be more precise - FOREO LUNA 3. Namely, FOREO designed this device to show you that one minute is all it needs to wash grime and germs after which your skin will feel soft and clean. Besides that, LUNA 3 will provide you with unique firming facial massage treatments that will give you smoother, younger-looking skin.