"In the Clear"

Ah, the changing of the seasons, it is an exciting, invigorating time no doubt. Fall is the time when we are often filled with a new vigor to clean out those closets, get organized, and get back on track and on schedule. A fresh new start…what about your skin? Some acne may have been lulled into hibernation with the summer sun, only to return with a vengeance ready to wreak havoc on your skin and your confidence. Other acne sufferers were afforded no such reprieve and truly feel that they have tried everything under that sun and still their acne persists. This article address the three T’s of acne control: Understanding Triggers, Knowing Treatment options, Teamwork the key to success. When all these are implemented, you can be on the path to clear skin once and for all!

Understanding acne TRIGGERS – Acne is a disease that has no known cure at this time. It is believed to be hereditary. Acne lesions begin with hyperkeratosis. This is simply when, for some unknown reason, keratin loaded skin cells increase at an abnormally rapid rate in a follicle. These dead skin cells clump together. In a normal follicle the hair acts as a wick to get the oil that is produces by the sebaceous glands to the surface. When a follicle is compacted with these dead skin cells, combined with bacteria and oil, the oil flow to the skin is reduced and an acne lesion begins to form. The baby lesion or microcomedone can take different paths and develop into either a non- inflamed or inflamed acne lesion. Known acne triggers include stress, hormones, excessive iodine, androgen based birth control, pore clogging ingredients in skin care, even fabric softener that we use in our dryer and more. The hormone testosterone is increased when we are under stress or taking some forms of birth control. Testosterone stimulates our sebaceous glands, producing more sebum or oil which further crowds the follicle already crowded with extra layers of skin.

Know Your TREATMENT Options –An esthetician who specializes in acne treatment is your best defense. Knowing which type of acne you have is important as non- inflamed and inflamed acne are treated differently. In cases where there is a combination, the inflamed acne is controlled first and then the non -inflamed lesions are treated. The best ingredients for topical treatments are: alpha and beta hydroxy acids such as mandelic, glycolic acids, salicylic acid, retinoids and oxygenating ingredient to exfoliate the follicle and kill bacteria on the surface of the skin. Ingredients that will fade dark spots (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from acne lesions are also important. Skin treatments with an acne specialist will speed up clearing of your skin. Professional extractions and peels combined with calming and hydrating ingredients and technology to keep your skin’s lipid barrier healthy are important to ensure your overall results and work synergistically with your homecare.

TEAMWORK, Your Key to Success - Let’s face it, you can have all the best information or tools but if you don’t know how to use it, it’s not going to work. That about sums up the frustration so many feel about past acne treatments. The true key to success is to find an acne specialist who will take the time to determine your type of acne, acne triggers in your life, and develop a game plan for you. An acne specialist will track your progress and change your homecare as your skin adapts to the ingredients, because it can. Acne treatment ingredients should be started slowly with an overall plan in mind. A good esthetician who specializes in acne treatment will take photos and track your progress along the way.  The end result is to not only get clear, but to stay clear!


Brenda Berndt
Owner/esthetician glo facial spa & skin center
9460 Karlyn Ct. Bloomington, IL 61705
glofacialspa.com 309-846-4045