Stop picking your spots — an expert’s guide on how to get rid of acne once and for all
- rosabodysense
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
Contrary to what you might have thought, acne doesn’t just affect teenagers going through puberty.
According to the NHS*, the common skin condition impacts around 95% of people aged 11 to 30 and it can persist well into adulthood, plaguing women who are going through hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and those dealing with menopause.
“Acne can cause someone’s self-esteem to plummet,” skincare specialist and founder of BodySense Beauty Treatments, Rosa Scialo, says. “Especially when these often stubborn skin blemishes and imperfections worsen over time, cause scarring and/or hyperpigmentation or appear later on in life. And while it’s very tempting to pick these spots, doing so can make your acne worse.”
Instead, to take control of your spots and prevent relapses — no matter if your acne ranges from mild to severe — Rosa prefers to use a number of holistic skincare approaches that address the underlying issue instead of just treating the symptoms. So keep reading to find out how to get rid of acne.
But first, what is acne?
Acne occurs when hair follicles on your skin become blocked.
Hair follicles become blocked due to the overproduction of sebum (the natural oily substance that prevents your skin from drying out) and hyperkeratinisation (a condition that causes your skin to thicken in certain places).
“Without getting too technical, when the hair follicle becomes blocked, you can get inflammation and redness around the infected area, followed by the eruption of a white head, due to white blood cells rushing to fight the bacteria,” Rosa says.
“In some cases — and depending on the type of acne you have — this clogging of hair follicles and growth of bacteria can also result in blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules and/or cysts, appearing too,” the expert adds.
The different types of acne
Not all acne is the same. Generally speaking, this skin condition is broadly classified into two main categories:
Non-inflammatory acne (also known as comedonal acne)
Inflammatory acne
The former is labelled as a mild form of acne, where whiteheads (closed comedones) and/or blackheads (open comedones) form on the skin.
Whereas inflammatory acne is categorised as being moderate to severe. With this type of acne, you might experience lots of redness and discomfort along with papules (small raised red bumps), pustules (similar to papules but filled with pus), nodules (large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin) and cysts (which are large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils). Acne scarring and hyperpigmentation typically affects 30% of those with moderate or severe acne.
“So it’s best to stop acne before it gets to this stage,” Rosa says.
Either way, understanding the type of acne you’re dealing with is the first step toward finding the right solution.
Contributing factors of acne
So, we know why acne occurs in the first place. But what are the internal and external factors that contribute to this multifactorial skin condition?
Hormonal changes — fluctuations in hormones during puberty menstruation and the menopause are common acne triggers. In menopausal women, perimenopausal acne can occur and it’s often accompanied by underlying redness and inflammation, called rosacea.
Diet — some studies suggest that high glycemic foods (like white bread, cakes and cereal) or dairy products can heighten acne.
Stress — studies have shown that too much stress pushes your cortisol levels up which can knock your hormones out of sync.
Smoking — research has highlighted that smoking can lead to alterations in sebum composition, a delay in wound healing, and worsen acne scarring.
Poor hygiene — failing to remove make up before you go to bed can cause blocked pores. The same goes for using dirty make-up brushes which haven’t been cleaned or using the same face cloth for days upon end.
Genetics — a family history of acne can make some people more prone to this skincare condition than others, studies have shown.
How to get rid of acne
The question we all want the answer to.
“As a skincare specialist, instead of resorting to medicine, I conduct an in-depth consultation to decipher what type of acne and/or other skin conditions you’re dealing with and create a bespoke treatment plan on how best to treat it.”
In her Beckenham-based clinic, Rosa recommends using the dermatologist proven skincare brand Biretix.
Coming in a range of different strengths, Biretix offers a simple, easy and effective solution for managing acne-prone skin at home.
“It’s powered by innovative technologies, like RetinSphere® and BIOPEP-15, which can kill 25% different strains of bacteria,” Rosa explains. “And some products in the range contain scientifically proven ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and niacinamide, which can reduce blemishes and promote a stronger and healthier skin barrier. And better yet, those from the age of 12 can use this range.”
Along with this formidable at-home solution, Rosa also has a number of cutting-edge treatments she can use at her disposal to rid more stubborn forms of acne and scarring.
This includes the likes of chemical peels, LED light therapy and facials like the Delicate Solution, which can calm, soothe, and reduce the skin’s redness.
A happy customer
“I came to Rosa after struggling for years with eczema and acne. We focused on repairing and strengthening my skin first, then targeted the acne once my barrier was restored,” client Katie said. “The results were amazing — my skin feels so much healthier, clearer, and more balanced!”.
With nearly 40 years experience, Rosa is well equipped at identifying specific acne types and addressing the underlying causes to prevent scarring and/or manage hyperpigmentation in its tracks. Get in touch with Rosa on 07719 568651 to find out more or book in for a consultation to take control of your acne journey.
Comments