There are two ways to ensure that skin remains hydrated:

• Drinking between one and a half and two litres of water a day will keep your body sufficiently hydrated.
• Using a moisturiser will also help to keep skin nourished and hydrated. A lighter, oil-free moisturiser will help skin to face the events of the day without creating an oily sheen. Night-time moisturiser needs to be richer; this is the time the skin repairs itself. Choose skincare products that are designed to be gentle on acne-prone skin; some are made using harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good.

There are those who have a rather cynical view of this lack of research, claiming that the pharmaceuticals that fund a lot of medical research have no real interest to determine a link between the two, as a healthy diet cannot be sold as a pill.

People in this camp often believe that our processed foods and bad eating habits can have an adverse effect on our skin. Too much refined sugar is thought to result in increased insulin production, which, in turn can result in higher levels of male hormones.

In response to these, the body can produce more sebum, which can result in pores becoming blocked and the appearance of more spots and blemishes. It is thought that foods high in anti-oxidants could have a beneficial effect on active acne, while others such as cows’ milk could aggravate the condition.

Any changes to diet should be thoroughly researched and you should consult your doctor. A healthy diet certainly can’t do your skin any harm, but you must ensure you are getting enough nutrients.

Active acne is not always the direct cause of scarring. Picking a scab or spot can actually result in more serious damage to the skin, as it can introduce bacteria to the lesion as well as forcing infection deeper into the skin.

Acne scars are difficult to get rid of. The redness may fade over time, and raised scars may shrink gradually, but tissue loss is permanent. This can make it difficult to conceal scarring caused by acne.

Scar treatment can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars, although it cannot take place until the active acne has been treated and has subsided. The Laser Treatment Clinic offers a combination of treatments to obtain superior results.

Microdermabrasion propels medical grade crystals onto the skin, removing superficial dead skin cells in the process. The new and healthy skin underneath is revealed, with improved texture and tone. A laser is then applied to stimulate the production of collagen and the renewal process.

Both of these ideas are, in fact, not true. Active acne is caused when the skin pores produce excess sebum. As the sebum moves towards the surface of the skin in order to hydrate and protect it, it can pick up dead skin cells and eventually form a plug and block the pore. As sebum production continues, and bacteria on the surface of the skin can proliferate, infection and inflammation can result.

While effective cleansing can keep active acne under control, the skin could be irritated by washing it too frequently. Essential sebum and oils are stripped from the skin, stimulating the production of more, thus increasing the chances of new spots forming. It is preferable to simply wash the face morning and night, making as little contact with the skin as possible, and avoiding friction caused by either a face cloth or towel.

The increased likelihood of developing acne if overweight is limited to girls rather than affecting both male and female teenagers. This could suggest the influence of certain conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, where high levels of male hormones can affect both active acne and weight.

Some believe that the link could be explained by physiological changes that are brought on by being overweight, as excess weight can result in increased blood pressure, resistance to insulin and changes to hormone levels.

While the role of nutrition in the appearance of active acne is not universally accepted, this study suggests that the quantity of food consumed may potentially have an adverse effect on the condition of the skin.
Whatever the cause of acne, it is always important to react quickly when it flares up and to seek expert advice.

Treatment is necessary to deal with acne scarring and to improve the appearance of the skin. Microdermabrasion and laser treatment offers an effective and non-invasive form of treatment that can reduce the post-inflammatory redness as well as evening out the skin’s texture.

Removing the damaged superficial layers of skin also reveals the healthier skin that lies beneath and encourages the skin’s natural healing process. The subsequent laser treatment stimulates the production of collagen which will result in smoother and more elastic skin.

If these procedures still seem too invasive, you may prefer to try out certain skin products first. Some can be very helpful, although you need to make sure that they are kind to your skin as well as affective at dealing with the problem.

Rose E oil is certainly worth trying, as it boasts many properties that are renowned for having a positive effect on the appearance of scarring.

If you have acne it is important to deal with the problem as soon as possible, both to avoid damaging your confidence and your skin.

IPL can offer an effective way to combat the blemishes that blight your life. The Intense Pulsed Light is applied to the effective skin in order to eliminate the bacteria present on the skin that can be at the root of inflammation and infection.

As the light gently warms the skin it also stimulates the production of collagen and the body’s natural healing process, thus helping lesions to heal with new and healthy skin cells.

Whichever method you choose to use, make sure you treat your skin kindly so that you do not make the problem worse. Resist the temptation to pick, squeeze or pop any spots as you could end up with scarring that can be difficult to hide.

Acne-prone skin needs to be treated with care, using gentle products and techniques that will not further inflame the condition. Here are some tips for helping your skin cope with acne:

• Clean your skin morning and evening with a gentle cleansing product that is specially formulated to prevent stripping the skin of its natural moisture. There is no need to clean your skin more often than this, unless you have been engaging in strenuous exercise.

• If your hair is greasy, wear it tied back to keep it away from your face or wash it daily. Avoid wearing caps or hats that cover your forehead.

• Avoid touching your face with your fingers, and do not pick, squeeze or rub your active acne. It can only make it worse!

• Pay attention to the products you use on your face. Some creams may be too oily for your complexion, while some cosmetics may block pores, thus increasing the possibility of further imperfections.

The other problem caused by acne is the scars it can cause. Acne scars are typically pitted due to tissue loss caused by infected and inflamed spots. This lack of tissue can make acne scars difficult to hide.

There is no need for acne scars to continue making life difficult for those who have previously suffered from acne. Using a combination of microdermabrasion and laser treatment, the skin can undergo a deep form of exfoliation that removes the damaged layers of skin to reveal smoother, healthier skin underneath.

Not only does the treatment reduce the pitted appearance of the skin, but it can also reduce the redness left behind by inflammation. The laser stimulates skin renewal and collagen production, ensuring that the new skin cells look as good as possible!

Don’t be defeated by acne scars having triumphed over the active acne itself; it is never too late to remove acne scars.

Acne scars tend to assume this pitted appearance because the infection associated with acne actually destroys skin tissue which can’t be replaced during the healing process. Acne scarring can also be different in colour from the surrounding skin, as the inflammation leaves behind a redness that can take years to subside.

Make-up can camouflage this change in pigmentation, but it is more difficult to disguise the bumpy surface of the skin. This is where microdermabrasion and laser treatment can help. Microdermabrasion is a form of deep skin exfoliation that removes the damaged superficial layers of skin to reveal smoother, healthy skin beneath.

The act of gently removing the dead and damaged skin cells also stimulates the production of new skin cells, and the laser that is applied after exfoliation encourages the production of collagen and new skin cells.
The result is improved skin texture and appearance, with a more even skin tone. There’s no need to live with the reminders of your acne any longer!