Understanding Acne

Have you ever been told that your acne is ‘normal’ and is a part of ‘growing up’? Acne impacts so many and yet, it’s more common to normalise it instead of getting to the root of the problem.

We understand that it can be frustrating to treat and that there are a lot of myths and false information. In today’s blog post, we explore common acne myths, acne triggers, as well as acne tips from the Dream Team.

Let’s go!

Common Acne Myths

1. Toothpaste is an effective remedy to get rid of acne overnight

Toothpaste is made up of an alkaline pH level whereas healthy skin is slightly acidic, usually around a pH level of 5.5. Applying toothpaste to a pimple might cause further irritation and inflammation and/or it could dry out the skin! Stick with proper dermatological-grade skincare products that aim to strengthen the skin, not weaken it.

2. Exfoliate as much as you can to get rid of the dead skin cells

Exfoliating TOO MUCH is one of the most common mistakes when performing your skincare routine. While there’s a general understanding that exfoliating the skin helps quicken the skin cell turnover rate, over-exfoliating damages your skin barrier.

Exfoliation should be performed in-clinic to remove dead skin cells whilst expediting the skin cell turnover rate without causing damage.

3. Acne is just a part of life and it will go away on its own

With so many cases of adult acne at the clinic, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Acne is one of the most common skin concerns that needs to be treated as soon as possible with professional help to prevent scar formation.

Acne Triggers

There are many potential triggers that could exacerbate or cause acne. A couple of common triggers include:

1. Hormonal Changes

   A major cause of acne, and a rather frustrating one because it can be difficult to control. Fluctuations in hormones can stimulate oil production, which can increase the chances of forming acne.

2. Infrequent pillow case and bed sheet changes

   Dirt and bacteria can accumulate on pillowcases and bed sheets, especially since we lie on them for extended periods of time resulting in an exacerbation of acne breakouts.

3. Dirty makeup brushes

   Spreading makeup all over our skin with brushes full of dirt and bacteria… need we say more?

4. Stress

   Prolonged exposure to stress hormones can cause oil glands to ramp up their oil production. This results in higher chances of acne breakouts and inflammation. While it’s easier said than done, try incorporating relaxing activities throughout the week to reduce stress levels.

Our Tips

If you’re struggling with your acne, we recommend to receive professional support as soon as possible. The sooner we can break the cycle of acne, the less damage to your skin. Addressing your lifestyle factors could also drastically change acne conditions. This means focusing on your sleep cycle, diet, exercise, the amount of stress you experience, etc.

Lastly, having a strong skincare routine that you can rely on is pertinent. We strongly discourage using harsh chemicals that could aggravate acne and other skin concerns. You want a gentle formulation that still contains potent active ingredients to benefit your skin.

Acne can be difficult to target, and it can have damaging effects physically and psychologically. But we won’t let it go on forever. Let the professionals help break the cycle of your acne.

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Psst… We will be including a new addition to our skincare family VERY soon. All that we can say is that those with major skin indications such as acne might want to keep your eyes and ears open. Stay tuned on our Instagram and Facebook page to find out more!

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Focusing on your skin’s health is possible for even the busiest of bees. Check out our consultation options BELOW or shop our skincare HERE.