A new way to stop acne in its tracks
Contrary to popular opinion, acne isn’t confined to pubescent teens. But new cutting-edge technology is helping acne sufferers in their quest for clear skin.
Up to half of all men and women will continue to experience acne into their 20s, 30s, and beyond.
And research shows the number of adults with acne, particularly women, is growing.
When severe, acne can be painful, distressing and embarrassing.
What triggers acne?
One of the most common skin conditions in the world, acne is usually caused by excess skin oil and bacteria.
Changes in hormones can also be a trigger, such as those brought on by pregnancy, menstruation and menopause.
It isn’t always confined to the face – acne can break out on the back, shoulders and buttocks.
While there’s no “acne gene” as such, you may have more chance of developing it if people in your family have had it too.
Lifestyle factors such as stress, diet and exercise can also be contributing factors.
Keeping acne breakouts at bay
The good news is that knowing what is causing your acne can help you clear up your skin and prevent further breakouts.
The number one rule is try not to pick or squeeze spots – this can cause inflammation and lead to scarring.
Use a mild cleanser and “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic” cosmetics and skin care products, and resist scrubbing or harsh exfoliating of the skin.
For clogged pores, look for treatments containing salicylic acid, which works to dissolve skin debris.
La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar range is formulated specifically to address oily, acne-prone skin.
Its Effaclar Duo(+) anti-acne moisturiser targets clogged pores, pimples and persistent marks, and helps to reduce breakout recurrence.
High-tech skincare
And in what could be the future of skincare, La Roche-Posay has recently launched Effaclar SpotScan – a world-first acne diagnosis tool powered by artificial intelligence.
A free tool you can access online via your smartphone, uses the Global Acne Severity Scale to help you learn more about your acne.
It grades the severity of acne and counts the number of blackheads, inflammatory spots and marks left by spots, before offering up expert advice.
To create the algorithm, Effaclar SpotScan utilised data from more than 6000 patient photos of varying ethnicities and differing acne severities, which were individually graded by dermatologists to ensure accuracy of the tool.
It provides the ultimate flexibility factor, as you can do it all from the comfort of your own home, meaning there’s no better time to say sayonara to your spots!
*This post is brought to you by La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar range and Spotscan.
