Happy Saturday Everyone!
I have a guest post for you today. My daughter has been having Blue Light Therapy for her acne, and it is really making a difference for her.
Dealing with Acne
Acne can be a distressing condition whenever it strikes, though it will normally strike when you are at your lowest. In addition to being common in our teenage years, acne can strike during or after pregnancy, during times of stress or as a result of medication or illness. There are a number of ways to deal with the problem, including creams, facial washes, and for more serious outbreaks, oral medication.
Help your Self Solutions
· Use a mild soap when washing and try to avoid washing affected areas more than twice a day. The redness and symptoms of acne can be made worse by frequent washing, which can also dry the skin.
· Don’t squeeze spots! This will only make things worse and spread the infection. Those who suffer from frequent bouts of acne probably don’t need this advice, but it’s worth remembering.
· When it comes to makeup, less is more. Too much makeup may hide the symptoms but will exacerbate the causes. Always completely remove makeup at the end of the day to avoid blocking the pores.
· Most doctors and experts suggest regular exercise. The exercise in itself will not clear up acne but is well known for lifting your mood. Stress is a big factor in acne, so in some senses it can contribute to your recovery. Getting out in the fresh air, and particularly the sun, is also good for your skin.
Potions, Lotions and other Treatments.
Most traditional treatments will not work immediately so don’t expect results straightaway. Normally several months will pass before many acne treatments reduce the appearance and strength of attacks.
· Creams and lotions available over the counter in pharmacies are based on the active ingredient ‘benzoyl peroxide’. This will help to clear dead skin away, which would otherwise block pores and it will also kill the bacteria that are responsible for infection. The main drawback to these medicines are that it can cause damage to your skin and also make skin more sensitive to UV light; long term use is not recommended and sun block should be used to help protect your skin in summer or on holiday.
· Antibiotic gels and creams are also available which will kill the bacteria causing the problem. For more extreme cases doctors may also prescribe antibiotic tablets. Antibiotics are not suitable for all sufferers of acne, and some pregnant women will be reluctant to take them.
Alternative Treatments
In addition to lotions or antibiotics, hormonal treatments may be used in some cases. There are also a range of treatments available that have also recently become available through clinics and dermatologists.
· Chemical peels have been shown to have some impact on acne. Chemicals are applied to the skin to encourage existing old skin to peel away. New skin will replace this and blocked pores can be avoided.
· Blue light acne therapy is a relatively new treatment and is used by dermatologists in both the US and UK. This simple treatment involves simply exposing the skin to ‘blue light’. This spectrum of light is beneficial to the skin, does not contain harmful UV rays and, like other treatments, kills the bacteria responsible for acne. This treatment has been shown to have positive results in short periods and reduce the strength of future outbreaks. Home treatment blue light therapy systems are now also available which add to the ease and simplicity of this treatment.
Blue light acne treatment has been shown to have rapid and radical effects. Alongside good general skin care it can help to reduce the effects and recurrence of attacks.
Author Bio
Carlo actively blogs for Tria Beauty – one of the UK’s leading providers of professional, light-based skincare solutions for use at home.
