Of all the problems, diseases, and imperfections that regularly plague our skin, none is more common or demoralizing as acne. Acne is one of the most uncomfortable, unsightly, embarrassing, and stubborn skin conditions.

Most of us deal with the occasional pimple. We go to bed with a slight, painful bump and wake up with a disgusting, irritated, swollen volcano on our chin, forehead, or nose. There is, of course, no good time to have a pimple, but they do seem to have a way of forming when we are at our most vulnerable: the night before an important meeting, the morning of a first date, or leading up to a major life moment, such as a wedding or graduation – the moments in our lives that are memorialized through photos.

Mild cases of acne can be frustrating, but severe cases of acne can be downright debilitating, drastically impacting a person’s ability to live comfortably and confidently.

Regardless of the severity of your acne, it’s important to recognize the steps to take to maintain beautiful, clear, healthy skin free of painful and hideous pimples.

Step 1: Understand Your Acne

Acne most often first appears during our teenage years. For some of us, we deal with a bad case of acne early in our lives, only to suffer from the rare pimple or blackhead throughout adulthood. For others, acne can come on slowly, progressing into aggressive and fast-growing cases that stick with us well into our 30s, 40s, and beyond.

Acne vulgaris, as it is defined scientifically, has many causes. Heredity, hormone imbalance, stress, side effects from medications, poor diet, and environmental pollutants are all contributing factors that lead to the most common instances of acne. When pores become clogged with oils and excess bacteria, they become irritated and inflamed, resulting in red bumps, large cysts, and disgusting lesions.

Step 2: Avoid Ineffective and Troublesome Remedies

Everyone seems to have their own trusted and time-honored methods for ridding their skin of problem acne. Home remedies such as the application of toothpaste, honey, or green tea can have soothing results, but it’s far too easy to trust ineffective treatment methods that can, in turn, make matters even worse. Popping pimples, for example (though the most common at-home method for dealing with acne), can result in even more troublesome infections and injury if not done correctly.

Step 3: Seek the Advice and Services of a Trusted Skin Care Professional

To avoid the pitfalls of risky and ineffectual acne treatments, it is vital that patients seek the expertise of a trusted skin care professional. At Skintherapy, we are proud to offer free acne consultations and some of the most effective acne treatment services on the market, such as HydroFacial, Chemical Peels, and the Clay Mint Mask by Topix, a leader in the Pharmaceutical industry.

About Jennifer

Jennifer Curtin is a medical aesthetician, who is nationally recognized for her expertise in medical skin care. With more than 20 years of experience in medical aesthetics, she is dedicated to the aesthetic industry and has received awards of merit including the International CIDESCO Certification, Assistant Cosmetic Laser Practitioner and National Leadership Award. Jennifer is also an expert in micropigmentation and the president of Skintherapy, which is located in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. To schedule a complimentary appointment with Jennifer, call 404-358-2961 or click here to submit a consult request online.