FRESHMAN ACNE
New year, new school, same acne, right!? School will be back in session in three short months, but you have all summer to work on putting your best face forward. Do n’t let acne keep you from being the best version of yourself. Dr. Mitchell and our aestheticians can do a skin analysis to pinpoint the source of your acne and any other skin conditions you may be suffering from, and lay out a treatment plan to restore balance to your skin. Usually when you first start a new regimen, you will see slight improvements in your skin’s condition immediately. However, you will experie nce the best results with regular usage after about four to six weeks.
Causes of Acne
There are several factors that can cause acne, however, the most common type develops around puberty due to rising hormone levels. Because of the extra surge of hormones, your oil glands are overstimulated and clog your pores with dirt and dead skin cells, causing pimples. If you are a student athlete, it could be even worse due to the increased amount of sweat and dirt. For this reason, we recommend that you start a gentle, yet effective, skincare regimen beginning around 11 years of age, regardless of if you are showing signs of acne. Using a good skincare regimen from the beginning can help you develop good hygiene habits and also possibly help you to avoid acne altogether.
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Take Action
Keeping your face clean and moisturized with the proper pH balance is key to controlling acne. Use a clean washcloth each time you wash your face so that germs and bacteria don’t settle in the cloth and spread across your face, which can worsen your acne. Make sure to use clean pillowcases and sheets, bacteria, sweat, and dirt can settle into these surfaces that we use everyday and get into our skin and worsen your condition. Make sure your shampoo and hair styling products are not getting on your face, which could possibly cause irritation, added oils, and possibly even dry your skin out. We offer several over the counter skin care solutions in our office for mild cases of acne, and if prescription grade solutions are needed, our dermatologist, Dr. Mitchell can assess and prescribe necessary treatments. The most effective skin care products will contain one or more of these ingredients:
Tea tree oil- kills bacteria
Salicylic acid- dries up excess oil
Alpha hydroxy acid- dries up blemishes
Benzoyl peroxide- unclogs pores
Retinoids- exfoliate dead skin cells
Many of these ingredients cause a sensitivity to the sun, although they help your acne. Be sure to use wide brimmed hats, long flowy clothing, and/or sunscreen to protect your skin while using products with these ingredients.
Here’s a quick summer checklist to get your skin in order before school is back in session.
Your freshman year should be exciting; please don’t let acne keep you from doing the things you really want to do and being the person you really want to be.
New year, new school, bye acne!
