Treat Your Acne, Regain Your Shine
We know the weather here on the Kansas/Missouri line can be a bit dramatic. -3°F to 60°F in one week? That’s pretty tough on your skin. The winter weather dries you out, and the humid summers grease you up!
Unfortunately, acne, like drama, isn’t just for teenagers. In fact, it’s the most common skin problem for adults in America. We see patients all the time at Regain Functional Medicine + Aesthetics who are struggling to get rid of adult acne. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on what you can do to care for your skin.
What Causes Acne?
Figuring out what is causing your acne is the first step to finding the proper acne treatment in Kansas City.
Hormonal Fluctuations (Women)
Would it really be a proper medical issue if it didn’t disproportionately affect women? Once again, it’s our fluctuating hormones to blame.
There are several times in a woman’s life when hormonal changes can cause acne. Acne is common during pregnancy, before and after menopause, when starting or stopping birth control, and every month around the time of menstruation.
These kinds of hormonal changes can increase production in the oil glands, causing buildup underneath the skin and creating a more inviting environment for bacteria.
Stress
Stress can work on the body in a similar way for both men and women. Stress produces an increased amount of androgen hormones. These hormones affect the oil glands and hair follicles, which increases your risk of developing acne.
Medication or Underlying Health Problems
Acne is a side effect of several medications. If you are currently on a hormone treatment such as an oral corticosteroid, oral contraceptive, or testosterone, check with your doctor to see if your medication could be causing your acne.
Acne can also be caused by halogens, antiepileptics, antidepressants, or B vitamins, among other medications.
When looking for acne treatment in Kansas City, the last thing to consider is if your acne could be a result of an underlying health problem. Research has pointed to acne as a possible indicator for some cancers and endocrine disorders because of their mutual connection to changes in hormone levels.
Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing rapid weight gain or loss, hair thinning, or mood disturbances in addition to your acne, as these may be symptoms of a more serious health issue.
How to Prevent Adult-Onset Acne
Check your Skin and Hair Products
Your acne could be the result of chemicals in your shampoo, moisturizers, or even the facial cleanser that is supposed to be helping you keep acne at bay.
Look at the ingredient lists on any of the products you use on or around your face. Avoid products that contain any of the following chemicals:
| Acetylated lanolin | Benzaldehyde | Silca |
| Acrylic | Bismuth Oxychloride | Silicone |
| Alcohol | Isopropyl myristate | Sodium chloride |
| Algae extract | Lauric acid | Stearic acid |
| Beeswax and oils | Mica | Talc |
Sunscreen, moisturizers, and cleansers are often the biggest culprits when it comes to clogging pores and making your skin either too dry or too oily. Make sure the products you use to treat your skin aren’t encouraging acne to rear its ugly head.
When shopping for skin and hair care products, look for these labels to make sure you are purchasing products that won’t cause more problems for your skin:
- Non-acnegenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Oil free
Consider Your Diet
Beyond oily skin, clogged pores, and bacteria, inflammation is also a common cause of acne. Inflammatory acne occurs deeper in the skin than your regular whitehead or blackhead. These pimples are often bigger and more painful.
Inflammatory acne can have the same causes as normal acne, but it can also be the result of smoking or the food you eat. So, when you seek acne treatment in Kansas City, you’re also going to want to consider making changes to your diet.
Foods such as dairy, sugar, and simple carbohydrates, like white bread, potatoes, and rice, are known to be inflammatory. High inflammatory foods are easy to digest and packed with glucose. This means these foods spike your blood sugar levels, causing inflammation.
Cutting down on high inflammatory foods and incorporating more complex carbohydrates into your diet can help subdue your acne. Plus, a rich diet will give you health benefits across the board!
Treatments for Active Acne
It’s hard to stop acne on your own. With so many skincare products that do more damage than good, trial and error quickly becomes trial by fire—the fire being your hot and itchy face.
Skin is a sensitive and fickle thing, and it’s different for everyone. At Regain Functional Medicine + Aesthetics, we create custom plans for acne treatment in Kansas City. We have many treatment options to fit the diverse needs of our patients. After a consultation, our expert providers will suggest a course of treatment that considers your unique needs.
We might recommend one of our face peels or facials. We also provide RF microneedling, laser resurfacing, and dermaplaning.
Facials
Facials are a great treatment to add to your routine, whether you are fighting acne or not. They are the complete skin care package, providing exfoliation, hydration, and a deep cleansing of your pores. We provide several different kinds of facials at Regain. The one we recommend most for acne is our HydraFacial.
The HydraFacial uses a wand-like instrument to simultaneously unclog pores and hydrate your skin by removing dead skin cells and infusing it with specialized serums. This facial takes just 30 minutes and doesn’t require any downtime. You’ll be glowing the minute you step out of your appointment!
If you’re looking for more individualized care, we can create a custom facial for you. We will find the perfect combination of treatments for your unique skin!
Chemical Peels
When looking at options for acne treatment in Kansas City, chemical peels are the perfect place to start. They are quite simple and provide a great introduction to learning how acne is affecting your skin. A great thing about chemical peels is that they can also be used in combination with other acne medication.
Chemical peels are applied to your skin as a paste. They exfoliate acne-prone skin by removing the skin’s topmost layer, encouraging the regeneration of healthy skin.
Depending on the depth of the peel, chemical peels can treat both acne and acne scarring. Superficial peels are used to treat moderate acne, and medium-depth peels are used to reduce signs of acne scarring.
It is important to note that not all chemical peels are suitable for every skin type. Individuals with dark skin (skin type IV-VI on the Fitzpatrik scale) are at greater risk of post-inflammation and hyperpigmentation. Face peels may also not be suitable for those who have a history of slow skin healing or are taking certain medications.
At Regain Functional Medicine + Aesthetics, we will cover all prevalent concerns during your consultation to ensure a chemical peel is the optimal treatment for you.
Treatments for Acne Scarring
If this isn’t your first battle with acne, you probably have some scars to prove it. Luckily, you don’t have to live with acne scars forever. Our acne treatment in Kansas City also includes treatments for acne scarring.
At Regain Functional Medicine + Aesthetics, we have invested in state-of-the-art technology to help restore your skin. Here are a couple of the skin treatments we use to reduce the signs of acne scarring and help prevent new acne from cropping up:
Dermaplaning
Like a chemical peel, dermaplaning involves removing the top layer of skin to get rid of dead skin cells and unclog pores. Your practitioner will use a scalpel to manually shave this layer of your skin. This treatment is similar to a waxing treatment and can also be used for facial hair removal.
Dermaplaning can reduce the signs of acne scarring and restore your skin’s natural shine. As an exfoliant, dermaplaning can also help prevent acne from returning.
RF Microneedling
Microneedling can be a great treatment to reduce the signs of acne scars and other skin blemishes. RF microneedling uses a handheld tool to make microscopic punctures in your skin. Your body naturally reacts to these tiny injuries by producing extra collagen, which gives your skin strength and elasticity.
Microneedling can help with more than just acne. We also use microneedling to help patients with skin laxity, discoloration, and stretch marks.
Resurfacing
Our traditional laser resurfacing removes the top layer of your skin, taking dead or damaged skin cells with it and encouraging new, healthy skin growth. Laser resurfacing also promotes the production of collagen and tightens your skin.
Laser resurfacing can also be used to treat lines, wrinkles, skin discoloration, and rough skin texture.
Treat your Acne and Regain Healthy Skin
At Regain Functional Medicine + Aesthetics, we are all about getting you back to your best. Acne can impact your confidence and comfort, but no longer! At Regain, we stop at nothing short of transformative results.
We create an individualized treatment plan for each of our patients that understands your specific needs. We want to know what it would mean for you to feel better, look better, and function better, and we will work with you until we get you there.
