My Skin is Really Dry- Why Am I Breaking Out?!

Most people deal with acne at some point in their lives.  Whether it’s the more traditional, hormone induced acne produced by adolescence or the tougher to treat adult onset acne, one thing is certain:  it’s incredibly frustrating.  Acne has a slew of causes, but generally it’s a condition resulting from clogged pores.  The hormone induced acne mentioned earlier results from oil deposits blocking the skin’s pores.  During puberty, or other times in an individual’s life during which they have great hormonal shifts (i.e.- pregnancy, childbirth, etc.), the body produces excess sebum (oil) which can sit atop the skin’s surface and blocks pores if not eliminated appropriately.

Most dermatologists and skin care professionals will prescribe a topical product containing salicyilic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help dry the excess oil.  However, what most patients don’t take into consideration is that as seasons change (like they are now) the air becomes dryer.  The dryer environment, coupled with the products’ drying effects, can exacerbate a patient’s acne as the skin becomes littered with excess, dead skin cells that also clog pores.

For many patients experiencing dry, peeling skin during the autumn and winter months, Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center offers microdermabrasion treatments.  The microderm treatments use an electronically assisted, manual device to gently slough the dry skin and outermost dead cells from the surface.  Unlike topical scrubs that apply the same treatment over the entire face, microdermabrasion allows aestheticians to alter the level of exfoliation to address specific issues (i.e.- more power in acne prone areas).  For those patients with more surface issues like wrinkles, chemical peels can also be used to eliminate the excess oils, skin cells, and surface imperfections.

To learn more about microderm, chemical peels, or the cosmetic treatments available at Laser Lights visit their website or read their blog.