Painful Acne Breakouts

Skin Care Tip of the Day: Painful Acne Breakouts

We all get them from time to time, those painful breakouts that are too deep to get to and too painful to touch. But few people know how to best treat them. Here are a few OTC tips to help tame those breakouts that seem to take on a life of their own.

1. Benzoyl Peroxide- Available OTC at any pharmacy in 5% or 10%, benzoyl peroxide works by producing benzoic acid and oxygen which helps to kill P.acne bacteria and promote cell turn over. Apply up to 3 times a day as needed to spots. Do not use on entire face and avoid sun exposure.
For long term acne treatment, stop by for SkinMedica Acne Treatment Lotion, which can be applied to entire face.

2. Sulfur- Available in 10% at our office for $20, sulfur works by drying out painful breakouts and reducing inflammation. In ancient times sulfur was used to treat many common skin challenges such as rosacea, dermatitis, and warts. Reactions to sulfur are rare but skin sensitivity is normal when treatment first begins.

3. Salicylic Acid- Derived from willow tree bark, salicylic acid is one of the most common treatments for acne because it causes the cells of the epidermis to shed more readily. This process allows clogged pores to open and bacteria to neutralize. It is available in many skin care products OTC, however to ensure that you have the right percent of "active" ingredients, its best to consult your aesthetician, to make sure the products you are using are actually going to work for you.

If you are short on time and need those breakouts zapped, stop by to have them spot treated for only $20 and they should be gone or dramatically decreased within 24 hours!

4. Glycolic Acid- Glycolic acid works by dissolving the inter-cellular glue that holds your dead skin cells together, causing exfoliation and increasing cell turn over. Glycolic acid is great for exfoliating stubborn pores that are clogged with dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells. It is available in many skin care products and the main ingredient in Vivite products available in office.

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