How To Solve The Problem Of Acne
Watch this video to learn how Katie and I have worked as a team to decrease pigmentation as well as create clearer and better functioning skin without stripping in continuously with Peels or loading her up with expensive and unnecessary topical skincare products.
Suffering ongoing acne breakouts at any age is frustrating, undermining confidence due to continual efforts to camouflage angry red skin and pustules.
Forever dealing with skin that is sore, dry, irritated and in a continuous state of healing can get to the best of us, leading to negative social and psychological effects. These effects are not necessarily related to the acne’s level of severity either, as even mild acne can be significantly detrimental if it is suffered ongoing.
So what is the solution for acne prone skin?
There are many things to consider:
-Congestion due to the overproduction of sebum, causing blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
-The presence of infection-causing bacteria on the skin itself, on pillowcases or from environmental bacteria such as some types of toxic mold sometimes found in the home, work environment or places that you spend substantial time in. It can also be caused by the transfer of bacteria whilst touching or picking at the skin.
Foods that cause higher inflammation in the body and are hard to digest, such as dairy, eggs meat, and foods that are highly refined and contain large amounts of sugar and/or fat, can cause acne in some people. Everybody is different, and if you suspect acne is being caused by food sensitivities you should try to find the right health professional (such as a naturopath) to work with in order to successfully pinpoint what foods you should include or avoid in your diet.
Note from Jessicat; please be mindful of any recommendations to use topical skin care products on websites that the links above may end up leading you to. The links above were included in order to give you a little more information about some of the leading causes of acne. However, informative websites like these often lead to the recommendation of skin care products that claim to help with solving acne breakouts, and in my experience, these kinds of products provide a band-aid treatment at best, and at worst are a waste of money and may end up resulting in worsening acne breakouts!
What do traditional acne treatments involve?
The first step for many people is to seek the advice of a beauty professional such as a beautician, or a dermatologist.
Traditional facials usually involve the repeated application and removal of skin care products. When working to improve the condition of acne prone skin they may employ the use of Microdermabrasion skin peels, product infused masks, toners, serums, and/or creams.
Microneedling may be used in order to reduce acne breakouts and/or reduce the look of acne scarring. Full strength Microneedling SHOULD be done in a course of 3 MONTHLY treatments, or 6-8 mild treatments done fortnightly (performing like an intense form of Microdermabrasion therapy). These treatments should NOT be performed on thinning skin. A way to know if your skin is thinning is if fine lines, wrinkles or sagging is beginning to develop or is already present. If the skin is thin and fragile it will NOT respond properly to Microneedling therapy due to not having the strength to repair properly. A course of Venus Freeze therapy may be needed, (medical-grade Radio Frequency and Magnetic Pulse technology) which is the main therapy used with our 4-Stage Face Lifting treatment process. Ultrasound Exfoliation is also used at the beginning of the process in order to pull impurities out from deep within the skin, Microdermabrasion to remove dead skin cells and congestion from the outer surface, and Green and Red LED Light used to improve overall pigmentation, boost collagen and elastin production and promote faster and more intense healing within the layers of the skin.
One-off Microneedling treatments will NOT improve acne scarring significantly or decrease congestion within the skin long-term.
Sometimes LED Light therapy is used by Beauticians to treat acne-prone skin (Blue to kill off the bacteria that can cause or worsen acne breakouts, and Red to heal the skin and improve its strength, integrity and the look of acne scars). However, this technology is usually underutilised. Most beauty professionals neglect to advise their clients that they should have the right amount of full strength treatments performed using clinic-grade aesthetic devices and then purchase and use their own at-home devices in order to provide ongoing treatments.
Most beauty professionals make up to 30% of their overall income by selling skin care products. It makes sense then, that when advising a client suffering acne, that they recommend purchasing skin care products that claim to decrease or stop acne breakouts.
We refuse to sell unnecessary skin care products to our clients. We believe they should keep their money for treatments that will gain them the longest term results possible. We also recommend the use of cheap and effective skin care, as well as purchasing at-home technologies that will continue to build on their treatment results and gain them far more benefit than traditional topical skin care products every can!
Keep reading to find out what skincare products and at-home technologies we recommend using, to best treat adult acne and provide the highest level of at-home anti-ageing treatments possible.
The Problem With Traditional Acne Treatments provided by beauty professionals
When working to reduce acne breakouts, many beauty professionals usually recommend a course of facial treatments that involve the use of Microdermabrasion and Skin Peels. The idea behind these treatments is to grind away congestion on the outermost layer of the skin using Microdermabrasion therapy or dissolve the outermost layers of the skin using glycolic or other types of chemical peels. Their aim is to remove the infected outers layers of the skin and decrease the look of scarring that can result from acne breakouts.
However, intensely grinding away at the outer layer of the skin using traditional Microdermabrasion or using chemicals to dissolve dead skin cells as well as healthy skin cells from the outermost layers of the skin, causes dryness, the possible overproduction of sebum (which can result in more intense acne breakouts) and can thin already thinning skin faster, essentially speeding up the natural ageing process. Using gentle or more intense Microneedling combined with LED Light therapy results in MORE collagen and elastin growth than traditional Microdermabrasion or chemical peels and allows the skin to rebalance and rebuild itself naturally.
Adolescent acne tends to reduce in severity over time, as the overproduction of sebum and hormone levels stabilise with maturity. Sensitivity or allergies to certain food groups such as wheat, dairy and or sugar can also be a cause of acne breakouts in young skin due to the inflammation these foods create in the body and their effects on hormone levels. Making sure the skin is cleaned properly and regularly in order to reduce the build-up of oils and dirt is important. It is also important to hydrate the skin properly, without causing more congestion. All of this can be done cost-effectively and without having treatments that continuously STRIP the skin (the way chemical peels do) and WITHOUT purchasing expensive skin care that is going to do very little to strengthen the condition of the skin, or improve cellular functionality the way at-home Microcurrent and LED Light devices can. Keep reading to find out what treatment protocol is best to treat adolescent acne.
Adult acne can be caused by many things, such as hormonal imbalances, infections that may or may not be caused by bacteria imbalances on and within the skin, improper cellular functionalities resulting in the overproduction of sebum, the natural ageing process (which results in thinning skin), and food allergies or sensitivities. Once again the question should be asked whether aggressively stripping away layers of the skin in order to reduce the visual appearance of acne is the best answer. It is also important to weigh up the ongoing cost of expensive and unnecessary skin care sold by many beauty professionals.
Fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin are the results of thinning skin, so continuously stripping away layers of the skin can potentially cause the skin to thin faster than the natural ageing process, ultimately leading to premature ageing.
Just think about that for a moment. Thinning skin is more prone to sun damage, becoming hypersensitive, leading to problems such as acne and the formation of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging. So are acne and anti-ageing treatments such as chemical peels, aggressive Microdermabrasion and Laser treatments that alternately thin the skin faster really the best answer??
It is important to address cellular functionality in order to strengthen mature skin and work to control sebum production. And whilst it is also necessary to relieve the congestion within the skin that can cause ongoing acne breakouts, this should be done in a way that also rebuilds and strengthens the skin. Regularly using at-home technologies such as Microcurrent and LED Light therapies provides a far more powerful anti-ageing and acne reducing treatment protocol than any of the expensive and unnecessary skin care sold by most beauty professionals ever could. Keep reading to find out what treatment protocol is best to treat adult acne.
The best skin care routine for acne prone skin!
Products MUST be water based. Why? Overproduction of sebum is a common factor in acne prone skin and using products that contain oils can worsen this problem and lead the continuation and worsening of ongoing breakouts. The answer is to use cheap, effective, and water-based skin care products that clean, hydrate and protect the skin effectively.
We recommend the simply 1,2,3,4,5 Jessicat skin care method.
- Cleanse with Cetaphil or QV cleanser, using your fingertips and water. Then use a cheap and gentle cleansing brush to double wash with the same cleanser. Make sure to clean this brush properly after every use, and replace the bristled brush regularly so as to avoid the build-up of bacteria!
- Use a bt-micro Microcurrent device on the Exfoliate setting with the correct exfoliant product such as the Aquafuse Foampeel to gently, yet deeply exfoliate congestion prone skin 2-4 times a week.
- Hydrate the skin properly using the Hydrate Gel (a Hyaluronic Acid rich product that hydrates the skin cheaply and effectively) we onsell, or a Pure 2% Hyaluronic Acid and glycerin serum created by a compound chemist. We recommend the 777 chemists is Whitfords, just ask for the serum that Jessicat Medi-Spa recommends 🙂 Also, drink 2-3 litres of water per day.
- Use the bt-micro Microcurrent device over the Hydrate Gel or Pure Hyaluronic Acid rich serum on the Serum setting to utilise powerful Microcurrent therapy and raise ATP levels by up to 500% 1-2 a day, (every time you cleanse and moisturise your skin). This will boost collagen and elastin levels in a way NO topical skin care product such as vitamin C every can and work to promote healing.
- Use a sunscreen that does not irritate or cause an excess build-up of congestion within the skin. Everyone is different when it comes to sunscreen, so find one that you like. Sunscreens do tend to cause a little more congestion within the skin, however, they are very necessary in order to protect the skin from the harsh Australian sun. Removing products like sunscreen residue from the skin is very important, which is why following the first 2 steps of this routine are essential for keeping acne breakouts at bay 🙂 To get you going take a look at Neutrogena, Ulta Sheer, Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+ or the QV SPF 30 Sunscreen products. Keep reading to find more info on the at-home skin care routines and technologies that will enable you to not only decrease acne breakouts but will also provide you with the MOST powerful anti-ageing skincare routine possible.
Topical creams that contain tretinoin (the acid form of Vitamin A) are commonly prescribed in order to treat adult acne. These products work to boost cellular turnover. To simplify, imagine these products melting away the outermost layers of the skin whilst you sleep (these products are often advised to be used before bed) but do nothing to improve the health and integrity of the skin cells, or strengthen the skin in any way. They only work to speed up cellular turnover, dramatically exfoliating the skin on a continuous basis. It is due to this that many people find their skin becomes highly reactive to these types of products as they mature, and the skin thins due to the natural ageing process.
Prescription medication may be prescribed in conjunction with or without topical skin care products such as Retrieve. Roaccutane is often prescribed for adolescent acne and belongs to a group of medicines called retinoids, which are similar to vitamin A. Retinoids work by reducing the amount of the oily substance (i.e. sebum) made by glands in your skin, reducing bacteria and inflammation and opening clogged pores.
With any prescription topical or internal medication, there are positive and negative effects to consider. In severe cases, medication may be needed to treat infected skin, but due to the MANY side effects medical-grade products such as Retrieve and Roaccutane cause, it is very important to know and way up the risks. Tretinoin Creams such as Retrieve can cause the skin to become fragile, making it more susceptible to sun exposure, which increases the risks of sun cancer, heightened sensitivity, redness, and over time, lead to the skin becoming thinner and prematurely ageing.
Topical retinoid creams such as Roaccutane have many side effects such as the skin becoming painful and red, large blisters and the peeling of layers of skin, all of which may occur on the lips, mouth, eyes, nose, and genitals. Those affected may have fever and chills, aching muscles and may generally feel unwell. Other side effects may be seeing or hearing things that are not real, and depression, with or without suicidal thoughts.
If you wish to avoid these options and the possible side effects that come with them, we recommend using the powerful effects of Venus Freeze therapy, (which works to rebuild the skin from the deepest layers upwards) along with Low-Grade, Mild or Intense Microneedling and LED Light therapies to strengthen the skin from the deepest layers upwards, to rebalance sebum production and solve the problem of adult acne long-term.
The Jessicat Approach To Acne Treatments
The overproduction of sebum, cellular functionality, strength, and integrity of the skin are all factors that are addressed within our treatment process for acne-prone skin.
Let’s solve the problem!
Mature Acne Prone Skin
It is usually necessary to reverse the effects of thinning skin whilst working to decrease excessive buildups of congestion in order to solve the problem of adult acne long-term.
Our Mini 4-Stage Face Lifting and full 4-Stage Face Lifting processes begin with a gentle, yet deep exfoliation process that not only polishes away the build-up of dead skin cells on the outer surface but pulls impurities out from between the skin cells, decreasing congestion that can lead to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Green LED Light therapy is used to fade uneven pigmentation, Red LED Light is used to promote healing and decrease redness, and Blue LED Light (added to the process when the skin is acne prone) is used to kill off bacteria that can cause acne. Venus Freeze therapy is used to rebuild the skin from the 5th layer of the epidermis upwards, triggering rich collagen, elastin, and new blood vessel growth, thickening, strengthening and plumping the overall appearance of the skin.
By rebuilding and strengthening the skin using the 4-Stage Face Lifting process, the skin is better able to recover from breakouts and becomes less prone to scaring. Due to improving the cellular function of the skin cells, they are better able to produce the correct amount of sebum, resulting in less formation of congestion that leads to breakouts.
Adding the Low-Grade Collagen induction Fractional Microneedling treatments, turning the 4-Stage Face Lifting process into a more advanced treatment process, facilitates a deep exfoliating and rebuilding effect, which enables the breakdown of built-up congestion that acne-prone skin generally presents with, whilst triggering rich connective tissue growth that works to rebuild and reform the outermost layer of the skin, gaining a smoother, fresher look. This process is able to deeply exfoliate the skin WITHOUT stripping it like chemical peels, laser, and traditional aggressive Microdermabrasion treatments do and enable the therapies used within the 4-Stage Face Lifting process to penetrate the skin more deeply and work more effectively, resulting in more dramatic treatment outcomes.
In some cases, more aggressive Mid to High-Strength Collagen Induction Fractional Microneedling (CIFM) treatment may be needed in order to clear the underlying infection that can lay dormant at times but result in ongoing acne breakouts. There are 2-3 days where you will look a little scary as the skin heals, and then the skin will be dry and flakey for a few more days after that.
Not only does Low-Strength, Mid-Strength and High-Strength CIFM therapy reduce the underlying infection that causes ongoing acne breakouts but it also perfects the effects of the 4-Stage Face Lifting process and decreases the look of stubborn fine lines, wrinkles, open pores and pigmentation issues 🙂
Adolescent Acne-Prone Skin
Young skin needs to be treated carefully!
Often a course of Low-Grade Collagen Induction Fractional Microneedling treatments, which combine the use of Ultrasound Exfoliation, gentle Microdermabrasion and Low-Grade Microneedling will improve the look of the skin dramatically.
In some cases, more aggressive Collagen Induction Fractional Microneedling should be used, in order to more deeply exfoliate and repair the outer most layers of the skin. Mild Venus Freeze therapy may be needed in order to strengthen the skin and rebuild it, as the outer layers have become heavily scared and uneven in texture due to ongoing acne breakouts, (some unlucky people experience severe acne breakouts as early as 12 or 13 years of age, and this can take a terrible toll on the condition of the skin).
Purchasing and using a few cost-effective skin care products and at-home technologies will not only build on the results gained from the above-mentioned treatment processes but will also reduce future breakouts and facilitate better healing and less scaring when breakouts occur.
In order to gain optimal treatment results, we MUST work with our clients!
The following skincare products and at-home devices are appropriate for both young and mature skin types.
Why do both skin types involve recommending the same products and technologies?
The bt-micro Microcurrent device used on the Exfoliate setting will allow you to clean the skin deeply, actually removing impurities from deep within the skin, and from in between the skin cells. This is a MUST with acne-prone skin! Using the device on the serum setting allows you to use it over clean skin with a cheap Hyaluronic Acid rich gel (we onsell a product called Hydrate, costing $85 for 450mls which lasts you up to 6 months) or a more expensive pure Hyaluronic Acid rich serum (2%) or gel (3%) made up at a local compound chemist. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production is raised up to 500% with the use of a powerful Microcurrent device, which you use for just 30-60 seconds every time you wash and moisturise the skin. Depleting ATP production is the cause of thinning skin that leads to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging in the skin. Although younger skin cells are still creating optimal levels of ATP, it is beneficial to boost this production to rebuild and repair acne-prone skin so that the formation of new and older scarring decrease due to the production of rich collagen and elastin growth.
We advise the use of at-home technologies that not only improve treatment outcomes but continually provide the highest standard of at-home anti-ageing and decongesting skincare routines possible!
Our clients use a bt-micro microcurrent device to deeply, yet gently exfoliate their skin using powerful ultrasound technology 1-2 days a week. Acne-prone skin may need this every day or every second day.
Daily Microcurrent therapy is performed in as little as 30-60 seconds 1-2 times a day to raise ATP levels by 500%, triggering rich collagen and elastin growth. This is the most potent and effective anti-ageing and skin-strengthening skincare routine possible, far outperforming ANY kind of topical (even medical-grade) skincare products.
Read more about the powerful effects of increased ATP production by reading this blog.
Blue LED Light therapy is used 3-5 times per week when breakouts are present in order to decrease bacteria that can cause and worsen acne breakouts (daily treatments may be needed in severe cases). Red LED Light therapy is used to heal and strengthen the skin, and Green LED Light therapy is used to improve the look of overall pigmentation (sometimes older acne scarring can result in brown patches). As acne breakouts decrease LED Light therapy can be used less in order to maintain the condition of the skin 🙂
We work with our clients to create the perfect team, and recommend cheap and effective skincare products, using the highest strength and highest quality at-home aesthetic technologies
Examples of these products are Cetaphil and QV cleansers, and Hydrate Gel (A Hyaluronic Acid rich product that hydrates the skin cheaply and effectively). When more expensive products are needed, such as the Cleanse Hydrating or Aquafuse Foampeel products, we will work to minimise their use and work towards using these products only intermittently when absolutely needed.
We also work to set our clients up with their own technologies, which they can use in place of expensive and unnecessary topical skincare.
A bt-micro Microcurrent device is used to clean the skin deeply, actually sending a strong ultrasound current down into the skin, pulling impurities that can cause blackheads, whiteheads and pimples, out from between the skin cells. Then using the same device on another setting raises ATP levels by 500%, using a powerful Microcurrent which triggers intense healing and repair within the skin by raising collagen and elastin levels in a way that topical skincare products simply can not. We also help our clients to purchase LED Light handheld devices or masks that enable them to utilise the incredible effects of Blue, (kills off the bacteria that can cause and worsen acne) Red, (rebuilds and repairs the skin) and Green, (works to minimise the appearance of pigmentation) LED Light therapy regularly in the comfort of your own home.
We also provide comprehensive training and information about how to get the very most out of the at-home technology we recommend, such as sticking to water-based products in order to allow microcurrent therapy to travel through the layers of the skin effectively and using GREEN Tea in order to make Red LED Light therapy 80% more effective (check out the Green Tea study for more info).
Book in for a $199 consultation to find out more. You will enjoy a full 4-Stage Face Lifting treatment (usually $270 if purchased as part of a treatment package, valued at $960) whilst Jessicat provides your treatment and assesses the condition of your skin. After working with your skin Jessicat will be better able to advise you on what course of treatments will work best for your individual needs.
