Having nice skin takes more than just using the right products. You also have to take good care of your skin and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you have skin issues that can’t be managed with at-home remedies and lifestyle changes, you may wish to seek professional treatments.
Washing your face will help get rid of all the dirt, grit, and oil on your skin. According to dermatologist Margareth Pierre-Louis, daily face washing also prevents you from developing a mild yeast infection on your skin.
* Washing your face too often, however, will strip the moisture and natural oils from your skin. This will cause your skin to produce even more oil to compensate.
*In turn, this will lead to even more breakouts and acne.If your skin gets oily during the day, try blotting the oily spots with blotting papers. You can find them in most beauty shops.Avoid using hot water when washing your face. Hot water can be very drying. Use warm water instead, and rinse with cool water when you are done.
*Always wash your face and remove your makeup before going to bed. If you leave makeup on, you may clog your pores and end up with a breakout.
Try finding a cleanser that is also exfoliating to clear dead skin. There are different types of cleansers available, and some are meant to help certain problems, such as acne, oiliness, or dryness. When choosing a cleanser, avoid anything that is heavily perfumed or colored, as it may irritate your skin. Exfoliants will help buff away the dead skin cells, and reveal the bright skin underneath.
*If you have dry skin, look for something that says "hydrating" or "moisturizing."
*If you have oily skin, look for something that is oil-free, or is labeled "for oily skin."
*If you have acne or blackheads, try using something that says "deep cleaning" or "purifying." These products will flush out the dirt inside your poress.
More dirt and bacteria gets into your skin when you touch your face. This is especially important for those battling acne. This will lead to more acne and breakouts.
This could lead to more redness, or worse: scarring. According to dermatologist Margareth Pierre-Louis, popping a pimple pushes the inflammation deeper into the skin, which can create a scar. Try using a sulfur-based pimple treatment instead.
If you must pop pimples, soften your skin first with steam or a washcloth soaked in hot water. Use a sterilized pimple extractor rather than your fingers. When you’re done, gently clean the area with rubbing alcohol.
You might even have most of the ingredients in your pantry already. Simply combine oil and salt or sugar in a small bowl. Mince the fruit or vegetable of your choice, and add it in. You want to use just enough fruit or veggies to thicken the scrub, but not so much that it becomes clumpy. Massage the scrub onto a damp face for a few minutes, then rinse it off using warm water. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Here are some recipes to get you started:
*To make a moisturizing mask, you will need 2 parts salt, 1 part olive oil, and tomato pulp.
*To make a clarifying mask, you will need 2 parts sugar, 1 part safflower oil, and a peeled kiwi.
*To brighten your skin, you will need 2 parts sugar, 1 part almond oil, and strawberries.
*If you have sensitive skin, try making a soothing mask. You will need 2 parts brown sugar, 1 part avocado oil, and a peeled cucumber.
Filler treatments may last anywhere from six months to a couple of years. Fillers are substances that can be injected into the skin to fill in wrinkles and stimulate the production of skin-plumping collagen. Common fillers include:
*Radiesse, a filler made from tiny calcium beads (lasts about 18 months)
*Sculptra, a synthetic lactic acid (lasts about 2 years)
*Hyaluronic acid, a filler with shorter-term effects that last for about 6 months
This treats deep wrinkles, but could be painful. Laser treatments can significantly improve the appearance of wrinkles, and the effects may last for several years. Laser resurfacing comes in a couple of different forms: nonablative (which is relatively gentle and superficial) and ablative (which removes the top layers of your skin)
Antibiotics may relieve the underlying cause of redness. Redness on your face can have a lot of different causes, ranging from sun damage or allergies to infection. Depending on the underlying cause of the redness, you may be able to treat it with an antibiotic ointment (such as MetroGel or Sulfacet) or a medication that reduces immune reactions, like Elidel.
*Consult with a dermatologist to determine the cause of the redness, and come up with a treatment plan.
These procedures reduce redness from blood vessels in your skin. KTP laser therapy and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments are both effective at reducing redness caused by clusters of blood vessels near the surface of the skin. They can also be used to treat discoloration caused by sun damage, hormonal changes, or injuries to the skin.
*You may need to do several treatments of KTP laser therapy or IPL therapy over the course of a few weeks to get the desired result.
Chemical peels can improve wrinkles, discoloration, and sun damage. According to dermatologist Margareth Pierre-Louis, chemical peels are different than facials and actual alter the surface of the skin. They may even work well on fine lines and scarring too. If you would like to achieve a fresher, more even skin tone, consider getting a chemical peel.
*Take care to protect your face from the sun after a chemical peel, as your skin’s sensitivity to the sun will be temporarily increased.
*Some people may experience scarring or discoloration of the skin after a chemical peel.
Prescriptions tackle stubborn acne when OTC options don’t work. If your acne won’t respond to over-the-counter treatments or lifestyle changes, talk to your dermatologist. They may be able to prescribe a medication that will work for you. Common medical treatments for acne include:
*Topical retinoid treatments.
*Antibiotic ointments, often used in combination with retinoids.
*Oral antibiotics.
*Hormone-based treatments, such as oral contraceptives (the pill) or anti-androgen agents.
*Isotretinoin. This medication is very effective, but because of the risk of severe side effects, it is only used to treat extremely severe and difficult to treat cases of acne.
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