Daily Habits That May Cause Acne Scarring (Bet You Didn't Know)
Acne is not the most painful thing anyone has to manage during puberty. Adults who have gone through severe acne in their teenage years would say that the most difficult issue they have to struggle with is the unsightly acne scars that are left behind after acne breakout.
Nursing an acne breakout amidst a busy schedule is difficult enough, but the emotional trauma that acne scars leave behind is far-reaching.
For people who have been suffering from recurring acne breakout, the biggest challenge is nurse your skin back to its original state without causing any permanent damage or scarring to the face.
We speak to Dr. Siew Tuck Wah, Medical Director of Radium Medical Aesthetics, to tell us how to treat acne and acne scars effectively with minimal risk of permanent scarring.
Squeeze your pimples
Your skin doctor always tells you not to squeeze your pimples. You probably heard this a thousand times but you are still doing it. Popping a pimple using your hands increases the risk of infection. The bacteria from your fingernails may infect the skin when you try to squeeze the pus out. When deeper infection sets in, there is a high chance of dark pigments and scars forming on the face after the wound heals.
Although it is tempting to squeeze the pimples especially when they are pointing, you need to refrain from doing so. Rubbing and draining the pus may expose the wound to bacteria if your hands are not clean.
Instead of scratching your acne, apply some spot treatment gel directly on the pimple before you go to bed and wait for it to dry overnight.
Clearing your pores
We all know that clearing your pores and squeezing blackheads are probably one of the most therapeutic and satisfying pastimes we do when we are alone. Avoid using fingernails and sharp tools to extract the gunk out of your pores. Like your fingernails, if the equipment is not clean, bacteria may make its way into the pores, causing more trauma and inflammation.
Always leave extraction and deep cleansing to the experts. Visit a doctor to have your face cleaned in a safe and hygienic manner. One of the most effective ways to clean your pores is to undergo a carbon laser peel treatment. A thin layer of liquid carbon is applied on the skin. When the laser hits the liquid carbon, it creates a reaction and instantly removes the carbon and the debris that are lodged on the carbon. At the same time, the treatment minimizes the pores, giving you a smoother face with smaller pores.
Cover acne with makeup
Wearing a thick layer of foundation and concealer to cover the blemishes and acne can irritate your skin and exacerbate your acne.
“When you have an acne breakout, the best thing to do is not to cover it with concealer. By covering it with thick layers of makeup, it may perpetuate a vicious cycle,” say Dr. Siew.
The ideal way to manage acne is not to wear any makeup to conceal them. If not wearing any makeup is not a practical solution, choose non-comedogenic products that don’t aggravate your acne.
We all tend to stick to our way of doing things especially when they work perfectly well for us. We know how difficult it is to step out of your comfort zone and change your skincare routine that you have been using for years.
"Our skin undergo changes all the time, and so should your skincare routine," says Dr. Siew. What worked for us several years ago may not be as effective now.
It takes a long time to find the right range of skincare care products that suits your skin. It takes years of trial and error to find the right range of skincare products that suits our skin. Always consult your doctor before you start your skincare regime.
“People often wait until they are left with no choice before they consult a doctor. The skin is usually in a bad condition and a lot of effort is required to treat the acne scars and marks,” says Dr. Siew.
There is a wide range of minimally-invasive treatments that can effectively reduce the dark pigments and acne scars. Dual Yellow Laser is one of the most popular pigmentation treatments in Singapore. It relies on a copper bromide laser technology to break down the dark pigments in the skin without causing any collateral damage to the surrounding skin.
Acne scars are slightly more challenging to treat. It may require repeat sessions to reduce the appearance of acne scars. Superficial scars can be treated with a skin resurfacing laser such as CO2 laser treatment. It ablates the top layer of the skin and encourages new collagen and skin to grow.
There are different types of acne scars which require different treatment methods for best results. In such cases, a combination treatment may be required. For example, Total Advanced Scar Repair Program offered by Radium Medical Aesthetics is a prime example of a combination treatment for treating the most stubborn scars. Using a multi-pronged approach, it combines INFINI, CO2 skin resurfacing laser, subcision acne scar treatment, and PDRN to treat complexion that has different scar types.
Seeking treatment early and taking preventive measures are always the most convenient and affordable way to address skin problems.
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