Effective Treatments for Recurring Acne

Patience and the right treatments are essential to eliminate acne

By Azra Shuib | November 19th, 2021

Recurring acne can be very stressful. It also can lead to issues of self-esteem and confidence. People who suffer from this condition may also feel clueless and alone as to why treatments that worked for other people do not work for them.

Acne breakouts can cover the face, chest, and back. Severe acne can also occur along the jawline and on the neck. 

Acne that is severe produces outbreaks that can spread deep into the skin. These painful eruptions are known as cysts and nodules. Acne scars are common when severe acne clears.

To see clearing, those who have acne may have to wait it out or see a dermatologist. However, there are some tips you can try at home to help improve the condition:

Tip #1 - Wash your face regularly

Washing your face twice a day, especially if you sweat a lot, can help keep oil from accumulating and blocking your pores. However, washing more than that might irritate delicate skin and aggravate acne. Opt for a gentle cleanser with minimal ingredients to ensure you won’t strip your skin’s moisture and hydration.

Tip #2 - Use topical treatment that addresses acne

Use over-the-counter remedies on your whole face, not just the pimple. This helps to prevent the formation of new pimples. Follow the treatment instructions properly and wait at least four weeks to see if a certain product works. Many pimple treatments might cause your skin to dry out, so make sure to hydrate.

Some product you can choose include:


  1. Retinoids: This component is derived from vitamin A and is available in creams, gels, and lotions. If you are opting for products with retinol, give your skin some time to adjust. Apply once or twice a week and build  a more frequent routine as your skin adapts.

  2. Salicylic Acid: Also known as BHA, this can help to clear mild acne. It is widely available in drugstores or you can get products with BHA from your derm.

  3. Benzoyl Peroxide: This inhibits the growth of germs that might cause pimples. It is also available as a prescription.

Tip #3 - Use a warm compress

A warm compress can aid in the opening of your pimple, allowing it to discharge pus and begin to heal. It's very good for pimples under the skin.

Soak a washcloth in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes and apply it to the pimple. You can repeat this procedure multiple times a day until the pimple is gone.

When the products don’t work and you have tried a lot of tips without success, it’s time to visit the dermatologist. If you’re looking for treatments that can help with the issue, consider these options for acne / acne scars:


  • Carbon Peel

Carbon peel is another type of a revolutionary non-invasive skin-resurfacing treatment that uses liquid carbon and laser as a medium to achieve brighter and healthier skin.

Carbon peel exfoliates the outer layer of your skin and it is said that this treatment is particularly beneficial for those with oily skin, enlarged pores, dull skin and pigmentation on their face. It is also said that it can treat acne as it reduces acne-causing bacteria and shrinks sebaceous glands.


  • Chemical Peel

A chemical peel is one of the least invasive techniques used to improve the appearance of the skin on the face, neck, or hands. The procedure helps to improve uneven skin tone and texture and also aids in skin replenishment.

The treatment involves applying a chemical solution to the skin that causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the skin that has been damaged from the result of aging, sun exposure, a poor diet, and environmental pollution.

A chemical peel can help improve acne or acne scars, age and liver spots, fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, irregular skin pigmentation, rough skin and scaly patches, and sun-damaged skin. However, sagging skin, bulges, and more severe wrinkles do not respond well to chemical peels.


  • Fire and Ice Facial

Popularly known especially in the US and voted as #1 Celebrity Facial in InStyle Magazine, fire and ice facial is so popular among celebrities like Gwyneth Platrow, Halle Berry, Jessica Alba and many others. Many of them use this facial before their big nights out at special events or functions. This facial is also known as Red Carpet Facial, designed to rapidly and safely resurface your skin, reducing fine lines and at the same time encouraging cellular renewal.

This innovative facial uses both elements of Fire and Ice. Fire, or the heat therapy is used to resurface skin by using ingredients such as cinnamon while transferring some heat for 3 to 5 mins onto your surface and may give a slight burning sensation.

The ice, or cold treatment indeed refers to the cooling and soothing session that aims to intensely hydrate your skin. This part of the treatment is completely relaxing and you can enjoy the feeling of being pampered for about 20 to 30 mins.


  • Fractional CO2 Laser

The Fractional CO2 Laser skin treatment is a skin resurfacing technology that successfully corrects a variety of dermatological and cosmetic skin conditions with optimal comfort and minimal post-treatment pain and care. Fractional CO2 laser skin treatments provide excellent results for skin resurfacing and when correcting skin conditions including scars, uneven or dull skin and fine lines.

Fractional laser skin treatments are able to treat desired areas without affecting untreated, healthy tissue. More specifically, fractional skin treatments create narrow, deep columns that extend through the epidermis into the dermis through an array of intense laser energy microbeams. These columns can either be “non-ablative” (the laser beams coagulate the affected tissue) or “ablative” (the laser beams vaporize the affected tissue). In addition, your body’s natural healing process will create new, healthy tissue to replace the columns of affected tissue, hence improving your skin condition.

Takeaway

Treating recurring acne can take some time, but you should be patient and let the skin heal from within. It’s important to follow the doctor’s advice and know that the condition will improve.

To book effective treatments for acne, visit our page:

Carbon peel @ Tokyo

Chemical Peel @ Kuala Lumpur

Fire and Ice Facial @ Kuala Lumpur

Fractional CO2 Laser @ Kuala Lumpur

 

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