8 spot treatments to combat skin inflammation

Updated: 02/21/2021 14:00:13

Expert: Daria Alekseevna Litvinova

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Taking care of problem skin and getting rid of acne is not an easy task. But if you don’t make an effort, it will be even more difficult to eliminate the effects of acne or minimize them. Not every pimple leaves marks (post-acne). But if scars do appear, then getting rid of them can be very problematic.

Acne marks indicate deep, prolonged inflammation. They can be localized on the face, neck, back, shoulders, chest. Unattractive scars occur if both the outer layers of the skin and the deeper ones are affected. The skin cannot independently restore itself to its original state. The pimples go away, but the replacement tissue at the site of the damage remains noticeable.

What is post-acne?

Post-acne

– these are the atrophic consequences of acne (scars or dark spots in areas of rash), indicating the depth of skin damage, the strength of inflammation in a particular area and the insufficient ability of the epidermis to self-regenerate. The area of ​​occurrence of such marks is extensive: they can appear on the cheeks, on the forehead, on the nose, on the shoulders, back or chest, and less often on the hips and buttocks.

Reasons for the appearance of post-acne

Stagnant spots due to post-acne are most often formed under the influence of the following factors:

• Protracted moderate to severe acne: deep inflammatory foci are present on the skin for a long time, undermining the resources of the epidermis and causing irreparable damage to it.
• Mechanical damage to the skin: when trying to get rid of post-acne on their own, patients often damage the skin by squeezing out pimples - a stagnant spot or scar often remains at the site of mechanical action.

Types and stages of post-acne: what it looks like

Externally, post-acne appears in the form of stagnant spots of different colors or scars of various shapes:

1. Enlarged pores
   are the most common signs of problematic skin after acne. Wide pores can be corrected with appropriate care for oily skin types.
2. Red, purple or blue marks
   indicate vascular changes in the skin that occur as a result of mechanical pressure on the tissue when trying to squeeze out deep-seated rashes: comedones, pimples or blackheads. Most often, red marks and bruises remain on the skin in patients with a predisposition to spider veins (with weak capillaries).
3. Brown spots or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dyschromia)
   occur due to the influence of ultraviolet radiation on injured areas of the epidermis - excess accumulation of melanin turns the skin dark.
4. Atheromas (sebaceous gland cysts) and milia (whiteheads)
   are secondary changes in the epidermis that form dense nodules - cysts.
5. Scars (atrophic, hypertrophic)
   are a natural reaction of the skin to deep inflammatory foci. Scars come in different depths, shapes and sizes, and getting rid of them is the most labor-intensive and long-term process. At the site of inflammation, connective tissue appears, located in the deep layers of the epidermis.

There are two types of scars, the manifestation of which depends on the level of natural collagen during the healing process of inflammation:

• Low levels of collagen in the skin provoke the appearance of an atrophic hollow scar. These scars are round (the shallowest), rectangular (deeper) and chipped (the deepest V-shaped scars) in shape.
• High levels of collagen lead to a hypertrophic scar, which can subsequently grow. That is why skin with scars has an uneven relief: atrophic scars are usually sunken, in the form of pits or craters, while hypertrophic scars are convex.

The etiology of post-acne symptoms depends on the depth of the damage: hyperpigmentation occurs due to injuries to the epidermis, while scars appear due to deep damage to the dermal layers of the skin.

Can acne marks go away on their own?

Acne spots can go away on their own, but it can take a very long time. Corrective care and beauty salon treatments will help speed up the lightening of spots. Scars will not resolve on their own and will be more difficult to get rid of than spots: the most effective method of smoothing the relief of the epidermis is skin resurfacing. In particularly advanced cases, post-acne treatment is carried out only by clinical methods.

How long does acne last?

The speed of getting rid of stagnant spots and scars depends on the method of treating post-acne: at home or through cosmetic aesthetic procedures, followed by maintaining the normal condition of the skin with corrective care. On average, evening out the tone and texture of the skin after acne takes from 1 to several years, depending on the intensity of post-acne.

Is it possible to quickly remove acne?

An integrated approach (cosmetic procedures + corrective home care) is the most effective way to quickly get rid of post-acne. A course of salon procedures in combination with effective products, for example, based on acids, retinol, keratolytics, will give a noticeable positive result. But even in this case, the time investment will be impressive: unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of traces of lingering acne in a couple of weeks.

Rules for comprehensive care for problem skin

Oily skin can be brought under control with a comprehensive beauty routine.

Remember the need for each of the stages of basic care for oily skin:

• Twice a day (morning and evening) wash your face with delicate cleansers (foams, milk) with a neutral pH and hypoallergenic formulas that do not contain surfactants (surfactants that disrupt the hydrolipidic protection of the epidermis).
• After washing, use a tonic with the ability to retain moisture in the cells of the epidermis - the tonic will even out the skin texture, visually tighten the pores and prepare the face for the application of gel or fluid.
• The final stage of the care routine is the application of a base cream intended for oily and problem skin: the day cream moisturizes, mattifies and protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, the night cream exfoliates dead skin particles of the epidermis, evens out the tone and texture of the skin, and improves complexion.
• Once a week, use exfoliant products with soft abrasive particles to exfoliate dead skin cells, reduce flaking and better penetrate the active ingredients of your cream.
• Once or twice a week, use mineral detox masks with clay or charcoal, which deeply cleanse and tighten pores, prevent inflammation and also help reduce sebum production.
• Avoid using products containing acids, parabens and alcohol.
• It is also important to remember the need for daily protection from direct sunlight: ultraviolet radiation promotes accelerated photoaging and evaporation of moisture from cells, irritates the epidermis and reduces its immunity. Dermatologists recommend using products with a sun protection factor of at least SPF 30 even in cloudy weather.

How to get rid of post-acne on your face at home?

Stagnant spots left by acne are most often removed in a beauty salon, but with the help of pharmacy cosmetics with active formulas aimed at intensive restoration and renewal of the epidermis, it is possible to significantly improve the condition of ex-problem skin at home.

How to remove post-acne using skincare products:

• Sebum-regulating products (washing gels, tonics and lotions) will help solve the problem of enlarged pores, keep them clean and prevent the occurrence of inflammatory processes and new rashes.
• Whitening creams and serums for daily care will help get rid of pigmentation.
• Homemade acid-based peels are effective for any manifestations of post-acne, even out skin tone and texture, and promote accelerated cell regeneration.
• Masks based on natural clay also help narrow pores, control sebum synthesis and prevent the emergence of new imperfections.

To lighten pigmentation, pay attention to creams and serums with components whose action is aimed at suppressing melanin synthesis: kojic acid, arbutin, glabridin, ascorbic acid, azelaic acid.
Alexander Prokofiev, medical expert of the La Roche-Posay brand

The best anti-acne products La Roche-Posay

Corrective cream-gel against imperfections and post-acne

EFFACLAR DUO(+)

Cream-gel for problem skin against post-acne

Effectively exfoliates dead epidermal cells and promotes skin renewal. The product intensively moisturizes and corrects post-acne spots.

RUB 1,187 more details

Cleansing foaming gel for oily and sensitive skin

EFFACLAR GEL

Cleansing foaming gel

With regular use in the morning and evening, facial skin becomes noticeably clearer, sebum production is reduced and the risk of post-acne formation is reduced.

951 rub. more details

Micro-exfoliating gel for post-acne washing

EFFACLAR

Micro-exfoliating gel

Reduces pronounced imperfections and post-acne, prevents the reappearance of imperfections.

RUB 1,218 more details

Lotion for tightening pores and smoothing the skin surface

EFFACLAR

Pore ​​tightening lotion

Effectively cleanses pores, prevents them from clogging and the emergence of new foci of inflammation.

RUB 1,468 more details

How to choose a cream for problem skin?

To care for oily skin, choose products whose formulas contain:

• Mattifying substances that absorb sebum, keeping the skin matte.
• Sebum-regulating components that control the activity of the sebaceous glands and reduce the greasy shine of the face.
• Anti-inflammatory, soothing components to combat possible rashes.
• SPF filters to protect the epidermis from ultraviolet radiation, dehydration and photoaging.
• Hygroscopic components that prevent dehydration of the skin and prevent hyperkeratosis (thickening of the stratum corneum), clogged pores and improve complexion.

List of ingredients to look out for:

• Zinc regulates sebum production and has an antibacterial effect.
• Absorbents (silicon, perlite, kaolin) mattify the skin and deeply cleanse it of excess oil and impurities.
• Niacinamide (vitamin B3) soothes and relieves irritation, improves blood microcirculation.
• Hydroxy acids such as lipohydroxy acid (LHA) and salicylic acid stimulate skin renewal, even out skin texture and prevent clogged pores.
• Linoleic acid provides targeted exfoliation of dead cells and also prevents follicle clogging.

Preventing the appearance of post-acne

The main task in caring for problematic acne-prone skin is not to aggravate its condition and not to provoke new rashes and the formation of a permanent spot or scar on the face.

Below are recommendations from experts that will help minimize the occurrence of imperfections and damage from them.

• Competently and promptly treat acne of degrees II and III;
• Do not expose stains to physical, chemical or mechanical stress;
• Avoid excessive sun exposure;
• It is good to moisturize problem skin;
• Wash regularly using sebum-regulating anti-inflammatory agents;
• Do not use alcohol-containing cosmetics in your arsenal (it can aggravate the skin condition);
• Use mattifying cosmetics to control oily skin.

What should be a good cream for problem skin?

The oily type will not necessarily be problematic: with a well-chosen comprehensive routine, the condition of the epidermis can be kept under control. Choose non-comedogenic cosmetics labeled “for problem skin,” with light moisturizing and mattifying formulas. What factors influence the effectiveness of a cream for problem skin?

Moisturizing problematic skin

Dehydrated, oily skin reacts with increased sebum secretion. With a lack of moisture, the hydrolipidic protective film of the skin is disrupted, which the epidermis tries to naturally restore by releasing excess sebum. Regular moisturizing will prevent damage to the lipid mantle and protect the skin from dehydration and delay the aging process.

Regenerating and antibacterial properties

To combat the causative agent of acne - the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes - choose formulas with antibacterial components that normalize skin microflora. Formulas with soothing and restorative ingredients will help relieve sensitivity, redness and inflammation, as well as normalize pH and accelerate cell regeneration.

Matting effect

For excessive oily skin and enlarged pores, choose sebum-regulating formulas with absorbents that control sebum secretion, tighten pores and eliminate oily shine on the face.

Light and non-comedogenic composition

To prevent the cream from clogging pores, choose light textures of care products, for example, gels, emulsions, fluids, serums.