Your face is the first thing others notice about you. Studies show how important skin texture and color is to how we react and attract others. This is why it’s so important to take care of our skin to avoid acne and blemishes and it needs to start in our teenage years. Roughly 85% of all teenagers experience acne issues. Many of my teenage patients come to me for their first line of defense to treat and prevent acne. We have some great solutions at Purely Integrative that are really effective.
If you have blemishes, redness or worse, yet, acne, then you need to take steps to treat it. This is not just about an embarrassing moment. It doesn’t go away on its own. In fact, untreated acne can cause permanent scarring and impact you for life. Research shows that those with acne scarring are judged unnecessarily.
How To Treat and Prevent Acne
Acne happens when dead skin cells, hair or oil clump together and plug up the pores of your skin. The bacteria in the plug causes swelling and when it starts to break down, a pimple grows.
The key is to treat the bacteria below the surface of the skin. Most over-the-counter products won’t do this for you. Fortunately, the CLENZIderm M.D.™ System is uniquely formulated to penetrate the skin and attack the bacteria that create blemishes and acne. Daily use of the three-step system can help clear up your skin and prevent future breakouts.
Shop: Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. System
Clean
First you want to clean the top layer of the skin with a foaming acne cleanser that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is more oil soluble which means it dissolves the intercellular elements that hold the dead skin cells together. Separating all those dead skins makes it easier to wash them away. The Obagi CLENZIderm System has a Daily Care Foaming Cleanser with 2% salicylic acid but also has a cooling menthol to help wash away impurities.
Unclog Pores
After you’ve cleaned your skin, you want to make sure you unclog your pores and clean them out. CLENZIderm’s Pore Therapy with salicylic acid penetrates below the surface of the skin to attack the bacteria, oily substances and dead skin. It loosens all that up and cleans it away to unclog and refine your pores.
Moisturize
Lastly, you have to moisturize your skin with a special lotion that contains BPO (benzoyl peroxide). This helps reduce the amount of acne-causing bacteria. The CLENZIderm System has a Therapeutic Lotion with 5% BPO. It’s a lightweight lotion that’s uniquely formulated to deliver medication deep within the pores, where acne starts.
Tretinoin
With more serious cases, we use the CLENZIderm System along with a prescription of Tretinoin. It belongs to a class of medication called retinoids and affects the growth of skin cells. It works to decrease the number and severity of acne pimples and promote quick healing of pimples that do develop. When you use Tretinoin you’ll have to minimize sun exposure and not get it in your mouth, eyes, or the corners of your nose during application. If you have a prescription for Tretinoin, please call our office and we can help get your script filled.
One Final Thought
Make sure you use the all the products as directed and call (614-928-9083) or email us (info@purelyintegrative.com) if you have any questions.