Adult acne Fairfax Va. Reflections of You

Acne — It’s Not Just for Teenagers! (Unfortunately…)

Posted on May 29, 2013 by ImageInternational

I’m Stevie, your West Coast blogger. Look for a new post each week as I dive into the latest and greatest skincare trends and topics!

So you thought your acne days were over when you got out of your teens, right? Then you woke up years later, looked in the mirror, and saw that dreaded pimple; a horrible red, inflamed, embarrassing dot that you thought was in your distant past.
Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Adult acne is actually quite common and hopefully after reading this, you’ll feel a little better about your “situation.”
There are a number of contributing factors to adult acne, one of which is a hormone called cortisol. This hormone can increase as a result of stress, diet, PMS or pregnancy. The increase in cortisol causes an excretion of excess oil through your pores, and bam — you’ve got an acne flare-up. You might be surprised to learn that it doesn’t take a crazy amount of stress for this hormone to rise. Things as simple as balancing your work and social life, taking on an extra project, or getting stuck in traffic can cause the release of these hormones.
To help de-stress, get some physical activity every day. It can be as simple as taking a 30-minute brisk walk, or going to a Zumba class after work. Exercise gives us endorphins — the happy hormone! So pump up those endorphins with a little physical activity, and say goodbye to breakout-causing cortisol.
To combat breakouts that do make it past your de-stressing efforts, try using products that are specifically made for breakout prone skin. A wash with salicylic acid is a great option for clearing out your pores and gently exfoliating the skin.
IMAGE has a great acne line called Clear Cell, with a set of products designed for acne-prone, oily skin. In this line you will find a Salicylic Gel Cleanser, Clarifying Tonic, Clarifying Pads, Medicated Acne Lotion with the added benefits of benzoyl peroxide (what I like to refer to as the ”zit-zapper”), an Acne Mask, and a Facial Scrub.
If you are still having problems with persistent, cystic acne, pay a visit to your dermatologist. They may recommend an antibiotic and a topical retinoid to help clear your skin and prevent scaring.
The biggest thing to remember … don’t stress over a pimple here and there. We all get them, and no one is looking at it anyway. They are looking YOU in all your beauty! So dab on some concealer and head out the door, because the best way to prevent those hormonal breakouts is to relax!

Looking for solutions to Your skin conditions? Reflections of You Salon and Spa Fairfax Va. can help.