The festive season is in full swing, but if you have acne then this can dampen your enjoyment of special occasions. Many people with acne struggle with the psychological impact, as it can make them feel more self-conscious and less confident in social interactions.
The indulgent food and drink, late nights, and disruption to regular routines can also be bad news for your skin, triggering fresh breakouts and slowing the healing and repair process. When faced with extra pressure to look your best for events and gatherings, acne can be an extremely frustrating problem.
However, there are steps you can take to control your acne effectively and allow yourself to enjoy the holiday atmosphere to the fullest. If you would like some expert advice on acne facials, please contact our Birmingham clinic.
Maintain your skincare routine
Usual routines can be disrupted, with a packed schedule and late nights. It might be tempting to skip some of the steps in your skincare routine, but this can lead to dirt, oils and dead skin cells building up on the surface of your skin. This increases the risk of spots and can also cause your skin to look dull or more oily than usual.
If you wear heavy makeup to social events, try to alternate with makeup free days to give your skin a breather. Look for non-comedogenic options that won’t clog your pores.
Eat and drink sensibly
It would be rather miserable to deny yourself all the treats and tipples that are on offer at this time of the year, but rich or sugary foods and alcohol can trigger breakouts. Try to balance out more indulgent meals and snacks with healthier options, such as leafy green salads, fruit and unsalted nuts.
If you are having a heavy night, alternate alcoholic beverages with soft drinks to keep your skin hydrated and help to flush out toxins.
Manage stress
Stress can trigger extra hormone production, upsetting your skin and making acne worse. This can lead to a vicious cycle of worrying about your appearance and having more severe breakouts. Try to focus on activities that make you feel good about yourself, such as exercise or meditation, and remember that you are not defined by how you look.
Be realistic about expectations and avoid comparing yourself to pictures on social media or with friends. Remember that everyone has insecurities, and they are far more likely to be worrying about themselves than judging you. If it all gets too much, be kind to yourself and give yourself time out to recover and refresh mentally and physically.
Consider professional treatments
Professional treatments can significantly lessen the impact of acne and improve the evenness of your skin tone and texture. A skin therapist will be happy to discuss the best procedures for you, which might include some of the following:
Acne facials
Facials can be specially formulated to target acne, through deeply cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating the skin. This can unclog pores and reduce the levels of acne causing bacteria in the skin, leading to a brighter and clearer complexion. Popular treatments include chemical skin peels, microdermabrasion, hydrofacials, and laser therapies.
Dermapen microneedling
If you have scarring caused by acne, then a facial may not be enough to lessen the damage to the skin, particularly if you have deep pitted scars or ridges. In this case, Dermapen can be an effective treatment. This involves using tiny needles to create microinjuries to the skin, which stimulates collagen production and speeds up the repair process.
It’s a fast, pain-free and non-invasive procedure that can be effective for minimising the appearance of acne scars, reducing inflammation and improving the overall skin tone and texture.
Before you go ahead with a cosmetic procedure for acne, it’s important to choose the right clinic. They should offer you a pre-treatment consultation to discuss your needs and requirements, and carry out a patch test to ensure that you are suitable for the treatment.
Bear in mind that up to ten days will be needed for your skin to recover and the full results to be apparent, so schedule your appointment well in advance of a big event.
