Skin Hyperpigmentation, Scarring and Acne.
Acne is often the only thing stands between us and the great skin. It is the most common skin disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin, characterized by whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules. Almost everyone has them, some are mild cases, some moderate and some severe. As our pores get blocked by dead skin cells and debris, oil that usually drains to the surface gets blocked and bacteria begins to grow. This causes whiteheads, blackheads and sometimes skin inflammation that manifests as pustules and papules. Pustules and papules can severely inflame the surrounding skin causing nodules or cysts. Most whiteheads and blackheads resolve on their own. Pustules, papules, and particularly nodules and cysts are not so easy to get rid of and often cause scars and hyperpigmentation.
What happens is that as skin heals from an injury, sometimes fibrous tissue replaces normal skin when the healing occurs, leaving a raised scar or bumpiness under the skin. What can also happen is that body tends to “overreact” and send more pigment to the location of the injury and cause a visible increased darkness to occur (hyperpigmentation). This can subside by itself or can be aided by the use of various exfoliation techniques or pigment corrective products.
Prevention is the key!
The best way to acne and skin damage is trough prevention. To stimulate cell turnover it is important to eating right and detoxify body from accumulated toxins. Using gentle skin cleanser daily keeps skin free of debris and deal cells and removes excess oil before it gets trapped under skin surface where it can cause pimples. Medicated acne treatment applied to exiting pimples prevents inflammation and helps skin heal without scarring and hyperpigmentation. Good exfoliation now and then prevents new Acne from forming by preventing excessive build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.
What to do when damage is done?
The skin has a natural renewing process. New skin cells are forming, maturing and going through a constant process of shedding and turnover as they reach maturity. An exfoliation is helping this process happen faster than it would naturally, allowing for new, undamaged cells to appear at the surface and allow for a clearer, more flawless complexion. Choosing the right treatment can repair most of the accumulated damage. The best way to exfoliate dead skin cells is by chemical peels and microdermabrasion.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a non surgical technique that revitalizes damaged skin trough abrasive action of chemical products that remove dead skin cells and stimulate growth of the new skin. A specialized treatment for advanced signs of sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tones, acne and scarring, chemical peel is in office done by medical specialist or trained cosmetician. Consumer can expect to dish out anywhere from $200 to $500 per a single chemical peel. Depending on the desired effect, skin type and texture, chemical peels most commonly used are:
- Procedure peels
- Ascorbic Acid Peels
- Lactic Acid Peels
- Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peels
- Salicylic Acid (BHA) Peels
Abrasive nature of chemical peels makes recovery time anywhere from few days to a few weeks. Great if you want to get away from it all but not practical if you are planning to hit the road.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is great alternative to a chemical peel. Simple, straight forward, non-invasive procedure, it revitalizes dull skin, reduces large pores, erases fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, reduces hyperpigmentation, stretch marks and age spots trough gentle action of cosmetic grade fruit acids. Designed as resurfacing products for home use, Microdermabrasion rejuvenates and restores skin painlessly and effectively. With down time of anywhere from half and hour to an hour, it makes for a great lunch –hour treatement and lets you get on with your life, no stops barred.
The best part? Home microdermabrasion means:
- Way cheaper than seeing an esthetician
- Pain free
- Fast recovery
- No side effects
- Effective on all skin types and colors (including sensitive skin and black skin)
- Comes in many different do-it-at-home products that suit any skin type.
- No more age spots on the face, neck, decolette and arms
- Less visible lines around the mouth
- Red spots and acne scars on my cheeks, chin and forehead gone (I still have 2-3 deeper scars on my cheeks which are still visible but fading nicely)
- No more blemishes
- Stretch marks from my pregnancies diminished
- Takes years off face
AHAs, BHAs and TCA’s: The Magic Bullet
A sure way to reduce and eliminate hyperpigmentation, dullness, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles is home microdermabrasion that combines the powerful action of Ascorbic acid, Glycolic acid (BHA) and Lactic acid (AHA). The trio effectively exfoliates the upper layers of the skin minimizing imperfections.
A star in own right, Glycolic acid (BHA) is attracted to the lipid content of skin, particularly sebum, found in follicles. Glycolic acid goes under the damaged upper layers of skin and removes dead and damaged cells in one swoop. This helps unclog pores, reduce blackheads and spots. As oil, debris and dead skin cells are pulled off the skin surface, new skin is revealed.
Lactic acid helps trough hydrophilic properties of its AHA group. It promotes cleavage of the epidermis layer of the skin for a shallow peel that dislodges epidermal hyperpigmentation and reduces pores. Lactic acid then stimulates elastic fibers formation, promotes new collagen synthesis in the dermis layer of the new skin and stimulates epidermal differentiation that tightens the skin.
Ascorbic Acid ends the job by blasting away remaining hyperpigmentation. A powerful antioxidant it accelerates the healing of skin, stimulates collagen synthesis and triggers the production of enzymes that is necessary for the cross linking of collagen molecule which gives better tissue strength. This improves the appearance of the skin and fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.
With minimum downtime, great results and the fraction of the price, this dynamic trio combines forces to gently resurface the dead layer of skin reveal smooth, glowing, YOUNG skin.
Zen’s Choice Skin Care Solutions for Hyperpigmentation
Based on the above recommendations, you may wish to consider these products for your skin type:
Step-by-Step Skin Care for Scars and Hyperpigmentation: