Acne Reduction Portland: 4 Steps to Clearer Skin

9 February 2012, thriveportland on the topic of Acne Treatment Center, Featured Services, Laser Acne Treatment, Portland Dermatologist, Skin Specialist Portland, acne treatments

Acne usually begins in puberty and is often seen as a teenager’s problem but blemishes follow many people into adulthood, despite our best efforts at eradicating them. If you want to keep your skin looking its best, here are four tips for self-care.

Always Remove Makeup Before Going to Bed Use a gentle cleanser or makeup remover wipes to completely clean off any and all products you may have applied during the day. Dust and other environmental particulates will have stuck to the fine layer you’ve applied, and sleeping with all that on your skin is a surefire way to not only ruin your pillowcases, but clog pores and wreak havoc on your skin. SkinMedica has a wonderful line of skin cleansers that are gentle and effective, http://www.skinmedica.com/skin-care-products/cleanse

Know What’s in Your Facial Products Many products, including makeup and cleansers, contain preservatives or chemicals that may actually irritate your skin. It is important to understand your skin type in order to purchase products that appeal to either dry, oily, or combination skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid ingredients like titanium oxide and sulfates, which can cause irritation and lead to breakouts.

Keep Your Hands off Your Face Oil from your fingers can make acne worse, so do your best to avoid popping or picking at blemishes. Instead, apply an ice cube to reduce redness and a warm compress to draw the fluid closer to the surface, then gently wipe the area with an alcohol swab. If you want to cover your blemishes with makeup, be sure to use non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) formulas and remove it completely at the end of the day.

Your Skin Reflects Your Diet What you put in your mouth can have a direct affect on the health and appearance of your skin. Eating fatty and oily foods void of nutritional value can leave the skin broken out and dull. Foods high in anti-oxidants include blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. Salmon, walnuts, and flax seed have essential fatty acids to lead to plump, glowing skin. Don’t forget drink lots of water to keep your skin and body hydrated!

Dr. Maddox and the team at Thrive can work with you to develop an individualized acne treatment program, including advanced dermatologic laser and light therapy, prescription products prescribed for your skin type, as well as hormone testing and evaluation. Call 503-241-3579 today to schedule your initial appointment. Beautiful skin is possible. Let the team at Thrive help you achieve it.