The best part about back to school time? Showing off that summer glow-up of course! But when acne strikes, returning to campus may seem less than ideal. Finding acne treatments that work can be difficult, especially with all the “quick hacks” and DIY tricks going around social media.
As experts in treating acne for all ages, our specialists at Skin Rejuvenation Clinic have discovered tried and true treatments to help you achieve the skin you’ve always wanted.
So where exactly does acne come from?
Acne is all about clogged pores and excess sebum (oil). When sebum production goes into overdrive (whether from hormones, medications, diet and other factors), it can build up in your pores along with dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This leads to an infection that can create raised bumps or lumps underneath the skin’s surface. Acne can come in many different forms, such as:
Whiteheads: Whiteheads are enclosed pus-filled bumps. They arise when dirt, oil, and other debris clog your pores. Though this form of acne can appear anywhere on the body, they typically form on the face, neck, back, and chest. Whiteheads may also emerge in places where there’s a lot of friction.
Blackheads: Blackheads are a mild form of acne that appear “black” at the surface. When pores become infected, the resulting bump may remain open, and oxygen exposure causes the bump to turn dark or black. Blackheads can also form on the face (especially the nose), neck, back, chest, etc.
Cysts: Cysts, also known as cystic acne, can be a huge concern for anyone, especially when you’re returning to school! Instead of smaller bumps, cysts are painful, pus-filled lumps that form deep under the skin. Even worse? Once they break, the infection may spread and cause even more breakouts.
Pustules: A pustule is a large pimple that’s often red and filled with pus. They typically emerge when the body is trying to fight off an infection. Because of this, acne isn’t always the source of a pustule. For example, they may also come from psoriasis or rosacea.
Papules: Papules are small, red bumps without a yellow or white center. In many cases, papules become larger pustules in a matter of days.
Whenever you’re trying to reduce breakouts, you want to focus on two main aspects:
- Eliminating excess oil
- Clearing out clogged pores
Eliminating excess oil
If you have acne and/or acne-prone skin, you probably have oily skin, too. Oil production is 100% necessary to keep your skin moisturized and healthy (fun fact: sebum has antibacterial properties to fight infections). The goal isn’t to completely get rid of oil. Instead, you want to focus on rebalancing sebum production to prevent clogged pores.
Let’s pause for a moment.
All too often, people over wash their faces to “dry out” oily skin. It may sound like a solid solution at first—but here’s why you don’t want to wash your face more than two times a day.
Your body is smart and knows what it needs (even when you don’t). When you dry it out too much, it will think, “Hey, I need to produce more oil.” See how that could be counterproductive? In the end, too much cleansing could make your skin even more oily—and the breakout cycle continues.
That being said, there are skincare ingredients available to help control oil without drying out your skin, such as:
- Niacinamide
- Kaolin clay
- Vitamin A compounds (such as retinol)
Clearing out clogged pores
It’s simple: clogged pores = breakouts. Therefore, when treating acne-prone skin, you have to start by removing the excess dirt, debris, and bacteria from your pores.
What if I have enlarged pores?
Having larger pores may be tricky. Whenever you touch your face, have too much oil, or face dead skin buildup, larger pores are better homes for the nasty stuff. The solution is different for everyone, but researching ingredients that can clarify, promote cellular turnover, and help pores appear smaller might help your acne-fighting efforts. Try out products that include:
- Salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Glycolic acid and other AHAs
- Retinol
- Tea tree oil
Sample skincare routine for acne-prone skin
Step One – Cleanse: Depending on what works best for you, a facial wash with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can target oil and acne-causing bacteria to help cleanse and clarify your skin.
Step Two – Tone: Since it’s crucial to ensure your skin is completely clean, a toner is a must to remove any leftover residue. Especially for oily skin, astringent-based toners (like ones made with witch hazel) help remove excess oil. Keep in mind that astringents aren’t for everyone, so if you find your skin becomes irritated or too dry, stick with a non-astringent toner.
Step Three – Apply Serums: There are fantastic serums available designed to treat acne and acne scarring. Serums can also help rehydrate your skin since some acne treatments may be a little more drying than other products. Brightening serums and nightly AHA serums (think: glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc.) can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and promote cellular turnover to prevent buildup.
Step Four – Spot Treat: If you experience flair ups, dabbing spot treatments onto your problem areas helps reduce redness, accelerate healing, brighten hyperpigmentation, and minimize swelling. Just be careful to not overuse spot treatments or lather them onto your entire face.
Step Five – Hydrate: Just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean you should forgo moisturizer. Actually, when you don’t moisturize, your skin will compensate by producing more oil (the same effect as washing your face too much). Instead of heavy creams and oils, try a light, oil-free moisturizer that will hydrate without causing breakouts.
Step Six – Protect: Of course, you have to end with SPF. Some acne-fighting ingredients leave your skin more vulnerable to sun damage, so it’s crucial to keep your skin protected at all times (yes, even when it’s cloudy outside).
No matter your routine, we highly recommend using medical-grade skin care. Why? It’s simple! Medical-grade products are filled with the highest quality ingredients at concentrations that actually make a difference.
If you’re unsure where to start, one of our skincare specialists will be happy to help!
Acne Treatments that Work: ForeverClear BBL
You may have tried everything to achieve clear skin—harsh cleansers, heavy scrubs, drying masks—yet nothing seems to work.
Now enter: Forever Clear BBL
Forever Clear BBL targets clogged pores and discoloration for clear, smooth skin, all without major downtime or discomfort! During this non-invasive acne treatment, pulses of controlled, high-intensity light heat your skin’s tissue, kickstarting the body’s natural healing process.
During healing, fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells) work overtime to create more collagen. That means that you’ll continue to see your results improve long after your treatment is done!
Since the treatment leaves the epidermis unharmed, broadband light therapy greatly reduces downtime and discomfort while still targeting a variety of skin conditions. As a result, skin becomes clearer, smoother, and more youthful with less risk—talk about a win-win.
Specifically, Forever Clear BBL, distributes heat and light energy through dual-lamp technology to fight acne and treat discoloration.
Blue light: Blue light eliminates acne-causing bacteria that lurk within your pores. This helps to clear out infections and prevent new pimples from forming.
Yellow light: Yellow light then targets inflammation and redness to reduce hyperpigmentation and rosacea.
Infrared light: Infrared light follows the blue and yellow lights. Through gentle pulses, infrared light initiates the body’s natural healing process, promoting collagen production. As a result, your skin may look younger and it can reduce the appearance of acne scarring.
BBL for acne can treat a variety of acne-related conditions such as:
- Active Acne
- Non-pitted acne scars
- Rosacea
- Large pores
- Redness
It also works for areas on the body, including the:
- Face
- Chest
- Back
If you truly want to maximize your benefits with more acne treatments that work in Edina, then combining aesthetic procedures can do wonders! Instead of solely focusing on one element of your acne, different procedures can target more specific concerns. Plus, creating a comprehensive acne treatment plan can help you clear your skin faster, just in time for school!
Treatments include:
Chemical Peels, Facials, & Microdermabrasion
Schedule acne treatments that work in Edina at Skin Rejuvenation Clinic
At Skin Rejuvenation Clinic, we have created the perfect place for you and your skin to thrive. Through patient-centered care and top-tier procedures, you gain the opportunity to discover a more youthful you.
Founded in 2004 by the husband and wife team Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Mark Hagberg, Skin Rejuvenation Clinic aims to help you look and feel your best at any age. After just one visit, you will leave knowing you came to the right place!
Schedule a consultation or use our free virtual consultation tool to get started today.
