What tests should you take from a dermatologist if you suspect acne?

Home >> Acne and pigment

The appearance of acne and age spots is a fairly common problem today. They can occur in both young girls and women. Acne (blackheads, pimples) is a skin disease characterized by inflammation and disruption of the sebaceous glands.

Acne scars, skin inflammation, exposure to ultraviolet light, and hormonal changes can cause skin pigmentation. Such formations spoil the appearance and are a signal that something in the body is not working correctly and you should definitely consult a doctor.

Acne - before the procedure:

Acne removal

and laser pigmentation today is a simple, effective and painless method of getting rid of aesthetic problems. Dr. Novikov’s clinic has been successfully providing comprehensive treatment for pigmentation and acne for a long time.

Advantages of laser acne treatment at the Novikov Clinic

• Safety.
  During the procedure, the laser acts precisely and only on the problem area. This effect does not damage the integrity of the skin.
• Low level of marks after the procedure.
  When removed, tissue deformation does not occur; a crust forms in place, under which healthy skin subsequently forms, no different in appearance from other areas.
• High efficiency.
  It is 100% removed in a few sessions without reappearing.
• Sterility.
  The laser beam has a bactericidal effect.

When treating acne, the laser precisely affects inflammatory foci and kills bacteria, this allows you to quickly localize the inflammatory process and stop the further development of the disease and normalize the skin, without the formation of scars and post-acne. This treatment quickly and painlessly allows you to get rid of the defect in just a few procedures.

Ways to disguise without makeup

It is possible to hide acne without makeup, but you should not count on immediate relief from inflammation. Methods without cosmetics are only relevant if you have at least one night left. These are the methods:

• Use vasoconstrictor drops. This is Vizin or Naphthyzin. Moisten a piece of cotton wool with drops, put it in the freezer for 10 minutes, take it out, and apply it to the inflamed pimple. Repeat several times. Calendula tincture can be used in the same way.
• Aspirin mask. Crush a few tablets and add a little water. Apply the resulting paste onto the skin, secure with a band-aid, and leave overnight.
• Relieving inflammation with tea tree oil . Using a cotton swab or cotton swab, apply the oil to the pimple. Do not rinse, do every half hour. Within 5-6 hours, the redness will noticeably subside.
• Frozen chamomile decoction. Make a decoction of chamomile, pour it into molds, put it in the freezer until it hardens completely. Rub this ice cube over the inflamed areas to remove redness. These chamomile cubes can be used to improve skin tone, so you can stock up on them in advance.
• Charcoal mask for cleansing . Crush several tablets of activated carbon, dilute with chamomile decoction to a paste. Apply to face, keep for 15 minutes. The result will also be noticeable after a few hours.
• Egg white for lightening and relieving inflammation . Whipped chicken protein will help dry the skin and remove redness. Apply in several layers until dry to the inflamed areas. As soon as one layer dries, another is applied.
• Bodyaga. Dilute half a teaspoon of bodyaga powder in a teaspoon of warm water. Apply the paste directly onto the pimple and wash off after an hour. Streptocide is used in the same way. Just leave the paste on your face for half an hour.
• Toothpaste. A product without dyes is used, applied pointwise to the pimple, left on for 10-15 minutes, and washed off. Anti-inflammatory pastes are best.
• Aloe helps draw out pus . Large purulent pimples should not be squeezed. But the pus from them helps to draw out the aloe. A compress from the pulp of this plant is applied to pimples and secured with a band-aid. Stays on the face for 3 hours.

It is not possible to completely get rid of the problem using home recipes. In order to hide a pimple in 5 minutes, you will need cosmetic products. But if a large pimple has appeared, you will have to act comprehensively - both remove the inflammation with folk remedies and mask it with foundation. And so that this problem does not bother you in the future, treat acne by finding out the cause of its appearance.

Effect of the procedure:

An important distinguishing feature of the method is its high accuracy and bactericidal effect. The beam affects the cause of the disease - bacteria. The laser treats areas of inflammation and sterilizes inflamed tissue. The procedure has a cumulative effect. The condition of the skin will improve significantly after the first session, and after the course it will remain for a long time.

When treating pigmentation, the doctor examines pigment spots, selects the depth of exposure and intensity of laser radiation. During treatment, the laser beam penetrates only the area requiring correction without affecting healthy skin. Under the influence of the laser, the outer layer of the skin is renewed, cell restoration is enhanced and blood circulation improves.

Laser techniques are considered effective in cosmetology. Under the influence of the laser, the epidermis is renewed, cell regeneration is enhanced, and blood microcirculation is improved.

Cosmetical tools

Modern cosmetics for toning and concealing skin defects do not harm the condition of the skin and do not cause new rashes. Unlike the “thermonuclear” products that our mothers used: under foundation creams like “Ballet” the skin did not breathe, became clogged and became much worse. Current foundation and BB creams, as well as concealers, are approved for daily use even by dermatologists. The main thing is to remember to remove makeup in the evening using special products and wash your face thoroughly.

To hide acne, you can use the following remedies:

• Concealer.
• Concealer.
• Powder.

Before applying a layer of decorative cosmetics, it is recommended to use a primer-base. It is able to even out the tone and smooth out pores. Foundation and concealers will fit better on the base. It is also worth remembering that before applying makeup, the skin must be cleansed and moisturized with a thin layer of cream.

Concealer

Concealer foundation:

• lighter skin tone;
• does not have a pink undertone (otherwise it will highlight a pimple);
• liquid consistency.

Light BB creams can even out the tone and disguise even the most modest blemishes. But large, inflamed pustules will remain noticeable on your face. Therefore, even if you usually use Bibik, if rashes appear, switch to foundation. You can choose the right one from any brand of decorative cosmetics: MAC, NYX, Mabelline, Max Factor, Shiseido and others.

Concealer or corrective pencil

You can mask acne using concealers or green correctors. Their essence is the same, only the consistency can be different: the correcting pencil is harder and resembles lipstick in format, while the concealer is more liquid and blends out easily.

Green concealers

The green corrector helps to mask redness and is applied pointwise. For small pimples that do not attract much attention, a standard flesh-colored concealer can be used (also applied pointwise), but any inflamed red spots require the “intervention” of green. After spot application, the skin should be powdered on top to fix the result.

Concealers are as common as foundations. Catrice, NYX, MAC and others have suitable products. You can purchase individual green ones for camouflage, or find a whole palette with all the necessary shades.

Powder

Have you decided what to cover the pimple with? After applying the base and main product, it is recommended to fix and “smooth” the camouflage cosmetics with powder. It's worth choosing:

• crumbly;
• flesh-colored, not transparent;
• mineral based.

The layer should be small. Take a large powder brush and lightly sweep the product over your face. The foundation or corrector will last longer and will not float. Every decorative cosmetics manufacturer also has powders. Mineral powder can be found at MAC, Mary Kay, Pupa, MicaBella and others.

Results BEFORE and AFTER treatment:

Tips for hiding acne

A few tips to help you successfully disguise pimples:

1. A pimple on your forehead can be disguised with bangs, but only if you wear them. In other cases, it is enough to switch attention from the upper part of the face to the lower part, applying bright red or dark lipstick to your lips.
2. Likewise with a pimple that pops out on your chin - switch your attention. But already on the upper part of the face. You can make up your eyes in a “smoky eye” style or draw provocative arrows.
3. Carry powder and concealer with you in case your makeup smears. This is especially important for those with oily skin, on which even the most persistent foundations do not “sit” for long.
4. Do not forget to wash sponges and cosmetic brushes before each use. Otherwise, you may aggravate the situation with rashes due to contaminants accumulating on accessories.
5. Before applying cosmetic camouflage products, wipe problem areas of the skin with an ice cube. This will help reduce redness and make it easier to cover up the pimple.

A pimple that appears on your face at the wrong time is not a reason to cancel plans and pretend to be sick so as not to go to work. It can be disguised with cosmetics. And if you have enough time before going out in public, you can have time and significantly reduce inflammation without makeup.

The cost of laser acne treatment services in Moscow at the center of Dr. Novikov

The initial consultation is free. The table shows the list of services provided and their prices. Depending on the specific case, size and location of the inflammatory process, the price may vary. You can check the full cost at your initial appointment with a dermatologist.

Our medical center is a leading institution in Moscow providing treatment services for acne and other aesthetic problems. The laser method allows you to eliminate defects on the face, back and other places, even in severe forms. In treatment, we use a comprehensive approach that allows us to eliminate the root causes of skin problems.

If you are planning to undergo laser treatment for acne and pigmentation and still have questions about the procedure, call tel. our manager will answer all questions and schedule you for a consultation with a dermatologist at any time convenient for you.

Types and symptoms of acne

Open and closed comedones in the form of so-called. “black dots” and “gray marks” indicate blockage of hair follicles and are harbingers of acne. They cannot be squeezed out at home! It is necessary to seek help from a doctor who will prescribe an adequate procedure - mechanical or chemical peeling for anti-acne.

Untimely or incorrectly removed comedones can become inflamed, which leads to the formation of acne in the form of papules and pustules.

• Papules are small rashes in the form of nodules, prone to inflammation and suppuration.
• Pustules are superficial and (or) subcutaneous inflammatory elements formed as a result of suppuration of papules.

Papules and superficial pustules, as a rule, self-destruct and leave no traces behind. While subcutaneous pustules involve the entire hair follicle and adjacent skin in the process of inflammation. They are painful, self-empty with purulent contents and are prone to scarring.

Without timely treatment of acne, deep inflammation of the skin develops, which leads to severe forms of acne. Indurative and conglobate acne forms in the form of large, painful elements of a purple color. Further progression of the disease is characterized by the formation of cystic cavities filled with pus, which penetrate into the subcutaneous fatty tissue - the so-called. phlegmonous acne. With weakened immunity in adolescent patients, necrotic acne may develop, causing necrosis of surrounding tissues.

It is important to understand that open comedones on the face, neck, chest, back and other parts of the body are not harmless “black dots” that can simply be squeezed out, but a symptom of the onset of a disease that requires qualified treatment and professional care.

Conceal skin imperfections with quick makeup

We offer you instructions that will help you tidy up your face and hide the hated pimples in about 5 minutes.

1. First you will need to cleanse and degrease your facial skin using a gel or tonic.
2. In order to reduce the degree of redness of the skin, it is recommended to wipe pimples with nasal drops that have a vasoconstrictor effect or ice cubes prepared with a decoction of medicinal herbs.
3. Apply a thin layer of lightweight, instantly absorbed moisturizer that has an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. Apply a layer of foundation, the color of which will be slightly lighter than the natural shade of your skin.
5. Using a green concealer, you will need to place a dot in the center of the pimple that you want to hide and carefully blend it out.
6. Lightly dust the skin to create an even matte finish.

How to choose skin care products for acne-prone faces

Care cosmetics for problem skin should contain a number of active ingredients that will help normalize the functioning of cells and saturate them with all the necessary nutritional compounds. The composition must contain sebum-regulating components. These are active compounds that reduce sebum production and make the skin less oily.

If you are looking for cosmetics to care for skin with acne and pimples, choose products with anti-inflammatory ingredients. To eliminate acne, you need to soothe skin irritation and reduce redness; it is important that the product contains antibacterial compounds to stop the development of inflammation.

What tests do patients with acne vulgaris* undergo? How to treat acne?

Tests that can be prescribed for acne9,31:

• checking the level of free testosterone, LH (luteinizing hormone), FH (follicle-stimulating hormone), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate;
• performing a glucose tolerance test;
• clinical blood test;
• general urine analysis;
• biochemical analysis of blood and urine;

Based on the results of the tests, if necessary, consultations with other specialists are prescribed, for example, a gynecologist, an endocrinologist.

Blood and urine tests are usually ordered by a dermatologist or esthetician before antibiotic therapy or retinoid (isotretinoin) treatment31. If it is necessary to take oral contraceptives to correct androgen levels, they should be selected by a gynecologist.

What remedy helps with acne?

To choose an effective medicine for acne*, you need to correctly determine the severity of acne and understand the causes of acne. Only a specialist can do this. Azelaic acid preparations can be used in the treatment of acne9. One of these is Azelik® gel, it has the following effects5:

• normalizes keratinization processes in sebaceous hair follicles;
• reduces the level of free fatty acids in skin lipids;
• exhibits antimicrobial activity against acnes and S. epidermidis;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the metabolism of neutrophils and their production of free radical forms of oxygen.

The first results from using Azelik® gel can be seen after 4 weeks of use5.

*acne