I’m back!
Thanks so much for all of the interaction on our Facebook pages last week as a result of my first post! Wow! It’s truly appreciated!
It’s great to know how well-known and adored IMAGE is as a brand! So many of you have tried so many of the products and I’m delighted with the feedback we’re getting from you – I’m so glad you all agree that the results gained from using the products and treatments are so impressive and addictive!
Last week, I rather boldly claimed that there is a product for every skin type and condition – and I stand by that. So my plan of action over the next few weeks is to prove my claim by discussing different skin conditions and topics each week.
First up, let’s deal with one of the most distressing skin conditions of all – acne. Unfortunately this skin condition is massively on the rise and no longer exclusive to those under the age of 18.
If you suspect you are suffering from acne, remember that it’s important to be diagnosed by a professional medical advisor rather than self-prescribing. Google is wonderful for many things, but misdiagnosis by Dr. Google is a common issue.
So what is acne? Importantly, I must stress that it’s NOT due to dirt and lack of washing. A certain element of hygiene will always play a huge part in any skin condition, but it is certainly not the sole culprit.
Acne is a condition caused by the over-production of oil. Oil is not an evil thing; we are supposed to have oil both inside and on the surface of the skin – it forms part of the natural protective layer and provides a bounce to the skin.
Many acne sufferers over-exfoliate their skin, trying to strip the excess oil away – this is the WRONG thing to do. If you strip too much oil away from the surface, the skin panics and creates more oil. Your skin knows it’s supposed to have oil, and by removing it, you knock the system out of sync. So to protect itself, the skin produces more oil (and it’s the gloopy sort), and so the problem continues.
If you suffer from acne, you may be thinking ‘why me?’ There are four main causes of acne:
- Hormonal: skincare cannot help this; supplements, medical testing and GP recommendations are needed.
- Over-production of oil: Vitamin A will help to regulate and correct the amount of oil the body produces. Remember that oil is designed to flow out onto the surface of the skin.
- The skin does not exfoliate naturally: this is due to a lack of water, excess UV exposure and/or a fish oil deficiency. The skin cannot shed at the rate needed, which means the oil is trapped in the skin and cannot get out into the surface. We can help this by exfoliating the surface with AHA and BHA acids (glycolic, lactic, malic, salicylic acid).
- Bacteria: the bacteria designed to sit on the surface of your skin creeps into the follicle (pore). When anything enters into the body that isn’t intended to be there, the body recognises it as an enemy and fights it, causing pus/infection. The solution is antibacterial ingredients.
So what can skincare do? Topically, the ingredients you need are: Vitamin A, salicylic acid and antibacterial ingredients.
Top tips to deal with acne:
- Be careful not to introduce too much too soon to the skin.
- Do not let the skin dry out by using harsh scrubs, as this will stimulate an over-production in oil.
- Deal with the acne to prevent scarring.
- Don’t squeeze spots.
- Wash makeup brushes/change pillow slips regularly, as they do gather and build excessive amounts of bacteria.
For more information or if you would like us to recommend products for you please get in touch –
http://www.renaissance-skincare.com/
