When using a BHA such as salicylic acid at home as a treatment or for maintenance for the skin, the ideal dosage is between 0.5-2% for professional products. Anything lower than that is ineffective. Salicylic acid for home care use typically comes in the form of a serum. The serum can be combined in a moisturizer. It can also come in the form of an exfoliant or a cleanser.
If you are using a salicylic-based serum it is important to combine it with a moisturizer. More specifically, a moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Acneic skin types should go for an oil-free moisturizer.
On the other hand, if you have a sensitive skin type or rosacea, you would benefit from a soothing moisturizer that has calming ingredients such as aloe vera.
Notes for BHA Home Use
If you are using salicylic acid serum, it is important to let it sit until it is fully absorbed before applying a moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin or if you are new to using acids on your skin, it is recommended that you apply 2-3 times a week in the evening after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Do this for two weeks or until you notice that the sensitizing effects have reached a plateau. From there you can start using it on daily basis and even up to twice a day.
Avoid using salicylic acid serum around the eye area as it can be drying.
Product recommendations for cleansing
If you are looking to introduce salicylic acid into your routine in a cleanser, try the Purifying Gel Cleanser. It is good for oily skin, congested skin, and for acne maintenance.
However, if you have severe acne or inflamed acne, try the Beta Clarity Cleanser. This one is also great for use on back acne.
If you have Rosacea or sensitive skin, try the Hydra-Bright Polishing Cleanser because you can use it as an exfoliant but also as a mild foaming cleanser on a daily basis.
Product recommendations for moisturizing
If you are using salicylic acid at home, you should be moisturizing as well.
For combo to oily skin types, we recommend an oil free moisturizer. Very oily to acne prone skin should try the Oil Control Emulsion. Keeping the skin hydrated when using salicylic acid is very important. Both of these moisturizers contain effective dosages of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid attracts and maintains hydration to hold 1000 times its weight in water.
On the other hand, if your are using BHA to treat sensitive skin, we recommend the Phyto Calm Aloe Hydrator. As the name implies, the aloe vera improves skin hydration and delivers strong anti-inflammatory benefits.
The betahydroxy acid (BHA) in your chemical peel works by lifting the stratum corneum (the upper layer of the skin). As it lifts, it dissolves the lipid layer between the dead skin cells. As a result, a fresh layer of skin cells is exposed that has a healthier and more active cell function than the dead layers that were exfoliated with the treatment.
Better Absorption of Products
In turn, the BHA in the treatment allows for better absorption of products applied to the skin. This is especially true for serums or other topicals being used to treat acne or blemishes; They are better able to reach the pores and target inflammation since there is no longer a layer of excess oil and dead skin blocking the way.
After a BHA chemical peel, you will also be able to achieve deeper cleansing on a daily basis. Again, this is due to decreased pore congestion and a reduced amount of oil barrier at the surface. Your cleanser is able to get into those pores and keep them clean which helps you maintain results.
Inflammation and Sensitivity Reduction
BHA chemical peels can also be used to treat inflammatory conditions of the skin, as well as sensitivity. This is due to the strengthening effects of betahydroxy acids. Also, BHA is part of the same family as anti-inflammatories such as aspirin. So, the BHA in chemical peels has anti-inflammatory properties.
Who should avoid BHA in chemical peels?
BHA is not suitable for people that are allergic to aspirin or other similar medications. People that are taking medications that cause photosensitivity or adverse reactions to the skin should avoid BHA treatments.
In addition, avoid BHA if you are using topical medications for skin conditions or are on oral medications for acne. It is always best to consult with your dermatologist, physician, or pharmacist, and go by their recommendations.
Yes, exercise can cause back acne, however, pimples on the back can be caused by a number of things. Like the face, acne can affect the back as well. But what causes it? Some professionals will say hormones, diet, medication, and the environment all play a contributing factor.
How can exercise play a factor in acne?
Gym equipment is often microscopically dirty. When your skin comes into contact with a dirty surface, there is a chance bacteria will be transferred. For example, a client who used a punching bag to support herself while doing calf raises learned to wipe the bag before pressing her forehead onto it!
Try to avoid touching your face or scratching your back after lifting weights. Wash your hands immediately after exercising.
Another way exercise can play a factor in back acne is related to your pores. When you sweat during a workout, your pores become enlarged thereby opening up to bacteria. Close your pores by taking a quick refreshing shower.
How do I stop my back from breaking out?
If your back acne is a result of exercise, showering shortly after physical activity will help. If you currently have acne on your back, try using salicylic acid. It helps to decongest the skin’s surface and pores. Salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce the size of postules.
Back Treatment. Ideal for all skin types
The BACK Treatment, also known as a “back facial”, begins with a deep pore cleanse followed by exfoliation. The exfoliation process removes build up and dead skin on your back. After that, a relaxing steam session warms and softens the skin in preparation for manual extractions.
Rosacea appears to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which may include the immune system and a family history. It is unknown exactly what causes Rosacea, however, research shows that Rosacea is a chronic condition without a cure.
Symptoms of Rosacea
There are four levels of rosacea, which are defined by the following range of symptoms:
Mild: Characterized by occasional or consistent facial flushing and redness. There may some swelling, burning and stinging, roughness, and visible red blood vessels as it progresses to the next level.
Moderate: Characterized by persistent mild symptoms, plus the appearance of pimple-like bumps. Unfortunately, many people mistake moderate Rosacea for acne. As a result, they do not treat their condition appropriately until more advanced levels of Rosacea.
Severe (Rhinophym): Characterized by moderate Rosacea symptoms, plus the thickening of the skin tissue and plaque formation in the nose thereby giving an enlarged appearance.
Ocular: Characterized by skin symptoms that also affect the eyes and eyelids. It may cause redness to the surrounding skin tissue but also burning or stinging, dryness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and watery, bloodshot eyes.
Treatment for Rosacea
Located in Edmonton, we treat rosacea with phototherapy, specifically, the ALIVIA photofacial. Photofacials emit a light beam into the skin. This beam is absorbed by different skin lesions. Through selective photothermolysis, the light pulse selectively destroys a specified target without damaging the surrounding tissue. This causes the blood to coagulate and the vessel to break up into particles. Finally, the particles are naturally filtered away through the body’s lymphatic system.
Follow these chemical peel post care tips. Chemical peels resurface the skin which leaves it vulnerable and sensitive. Being very gentle with your skin afterwards is very important.
Sun exposure
Avoiding direct and extended sun exposure is very important. This is because these new cells can easily become damaged when exposed to UV for periods longer than 15 minutes.
Using an SPF of 3 0 or higher is highly recommended. Typically, physical SPFs are more gentle on the skin. Using a physical barrier such as a hat or seeking shade when extended sun exposure can’t be avoided is important.
Colder temperatures
When the temperature drops it is important to keep you skin guarded from the harsh winds that come along with the cold winter weather. Having a clean, soft, cotton scarf to guard the face is important.
As we go into the fall we are wearing higher collars and coats. These typically don’t get washed on a daily basis. Therefore, having that scarf as a barrier between your coat collar and your skin is important to avoid bacteria transfer and also friction from the heavier material.
Although the fall and winter months don’t have as much daylight, it is still important to apply your SPF daily. Especially once the snow blankets the ground because we get the reflection of the sun off of the snow which can be magnified and cause sunburn much faster than a typical summer day.
Makeup
Also avoiding makeup application for at least 48 hours is important. You can mascara, eye makeup, lip, or brow makeup, but avoid any type of base makeup unless it s a high quality mineral-based makeup or bb tint with a light tint.
How long does it take for your skin to heal after a chemical peel?
Typically the skin has regenerated within 2-3 days. However, there are many layers to the skin, so that timeframe accounts for only the most superficial top layer. The peel penetrates to deeper layers. There is about a two week period where you’re constantly resurfacing. Thats where the skin peeling effect happens for some people as it expels the dead cells. During that two-week process your skin is regenerating an accelerated rate as a result of the peel.
Follow the chemical peel post care tips for best results.
Located in Edmonton, Dérmica offers treatments that help in removing brown spots on the face with laser and peels.
How does phototherapy remove hyperpigmentation?
One of the treatments we offer is IPL phototherapy. It removes hyperpigmentation by pulsing light energy into the skin that targets excess melanin cells. These pigment cells absorb the light energy. As a result, they overheat and are destroyed in the process.
This destruction forces the body to digest and expel the cells out of the skin. In turn, this process promotes the regeneration of healthy cells.
Can you see results after 1 IPL session?
Not only is it possible to see results after one IPL treatment, it is common. Keep in mind the intensity of the results depends on different factors. The more contrast there is between the tone of the lesion and the tone of the skin, the more visible the result that is seen with each treatment.
A higher contrast means that more energy is absorbed into the lesion and less into the surrounding tissues. Higher intensities can be used with certain skin tones.
Another factor that contributes to quick visible results is the cause of the brown spots. For example, scarring or sun damage can be cleared much faster than pigment-related skin conditions, such as melasma.
Brown spots on the face can return depending on what caused them in the first place. If it is genetics-related such a freckles or beauty marks, then they may come back. If it is a skin condition, for example melasma, it can reoccur. On the other hand, if it is due to a scar, trauma, or sun damage, chances are it will not come back.
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