Acne and the different grades from one to four. How Can an Aesthetician Help You?

July 06, 2020

 

 

You have all probably had or heard of acne at some point in your life, but what exactly is it? And how can it be treated? These are questions that Anika Skincare can answer for you. Acne is most commonly seen in teenagers and those experiencing puberty; many adults can also have acne. There are 4 stages of acne that determine its severity. In these stages acne can appear as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads or nodules, which are lumps under the skin.

We will break all of this down for you and discuss acne causes, types of acne, the 4 stages from mild to cystic, and treatment methods for you. At Anika Skincare we want to help you treat your acne. Teresa Paquin is an experienced Aesthetician who can help you create a treatment plan to clear acne and prevent future breakouts.

 

Acne Causes

Acne is ultimately caused by the inflammation of hair follicles and the sebaceous glands in the skin. The hair follicles are small structures that grow hair and the sebaceous glands produce sebum. The combination of these is called the pilosebaceous unit, where acne and cysts may develop. They are most numerous on the face, upper back and chest--making these common acne spots. Hormone changes can increase acne, thus explaining why teens more commonly have acne. Acne can also be hereditary. The the following are more common causes of acne.

 

 

• Foods: refined sugars & grains, dairy, greasy foods, chocolate and foods you may be sensitive or allergic  to can be a cause of acne.

 

• Stress or lack of sleep: Stress can worsen your acne symptoms if you are already prone to getting acne, along with loss of sleep.

 

• Cosmetics: Makeup and other skincare products that have irritating fragrances or ingredients that clog your pores can result in pimples.

 

• Underlying Health Problems: Health problems can directly relate to acne. Some common health issues may include PCOS, diabetes, digestive imbalance, metabolism issues and thyroid problems.

 

Stages of Acne

There are 4 grades that acne can be divided into based on its appearance and severity.

 

Grade 1: Mild.   This is the mildest form of acne. It consists of blackheads and small red breakouts called papules found on the cheeks. In this grade they are minimal breakouts and  occur occasionally.

 

Grade 2: Moderate.     Marks can appear anywhere on the face outside of the typical “T zone area.” There are more blemishes including comedones, or whiteheads. There may be mild inflammation and redness around the blemishes. Pustules--or pimples filled with yellowish material, and papules--elevated skin colored or reddish irregular bumps are most common.

 

Grade 3: Severe.    Papules and pustules are more significantly covering the face. There is inflammation and the lesions are closer together and may merge with each other. Skin damage and scarring is more likely to occur. Mild swelling in the face can occur as well as more redness.

 

Grade 4: Cystic Acne.     These blemishes are large and may also occur on the neck, shoulders or back. This is considered severe acne and the blemishes are firm and blister-looking. Cysts contain pus and can be about half a centimeter. Nodules are firm hard bumps that do not contain pus but are common in this grade of acne. Scarring is common with cystic acne.

 

 

Treatment of Acne

 

There are natural ways to treat acne as well as various treatment plans.

 

• Using quality makeups and creams to avoid clogging pores can cause a noticeable difference. We recommend mineral based cosmetics like: Mirabella Mineral makeup, Youngblood mineral makeup, or any organic NON GMO makeup with minerals and no pore clogging ingredients. At Anika Skincare and makeup, we offer a wide range of formulations that help both clear and prevent acne. No matter where you live in the US, Licensed Aesthetician Teresa Paquin can help. She provides consultations online and in skincare clinic for those in the Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts

 

• Hydrating your skin by using moisturizers that do not have irritants like our Essential Dermaceuticals. For hydration think of ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, that draw and hold moisture to the skin without breaking skin out.

 

• Washing your face at least twice a day to remove the dead skin cells, oil, and other impurities. Avoid using makeup cleansing wipes. When you wash your skin using a makeup cloth, washcloth or facial sponges, make sure these are clean every time. There are different types of facial cleansers that are excellent for clearing acne.

 

• Cleaning your hair regularly will keep your skin clean, around the hairline. Consider using a shampoo that contains tea tree oil like in the Paul Mitchell brand. Tea tree oil is a known ingredient to help fight acne.

 

• Avoiding greasy creams and oils that clog and irritate your skin. Look out for heavy ingredients that have coconut oil, or heavy plant seed oils, these will clog your pores.

 

• Avoid the sun without using a sun protectant. Suntegrity is a clean natural suncare product with SPF that will prevent breakouts.

 

• Trying to use relaxation techniques to avoid stress and promote better sleep. A regular massage might be just what you need.

There are a few at-home devices that are highly effective at helping both to clear and prevent acne below:

 

• LightStim LED Light Therapy- Blue for Acne. This treatment avoids harmful chemicals and UV rays. By avoiding these chemicals there are no side effects due to the natural wavelengths of visible light that kill the bacteria causing breakouts. The wonderful thing about incorporating this into your skincare routine is that it works well with most at-home skincare formulas. Make sure if using RX Retinol A or over the counter Retinol products to use this treatment on clean dry skin then apply your regular skin care products.

 

• OxyDerm-Ozone therapy. This is an excellent tool for both your face and body. It can be drying so it may not suit someone with cystic acne. It is an excellent tool to help clear and prevent acne on your face and body; this includes the chest and back as well. It can also be used on bug bites, hives or after shaving the bikini area to prevent little red bumps. Check out the video on our website.

 

Licensed Aesthetician Teresa Paquin provides individuals with acne professional treatment plans and homecare that are customized to you. In most cases, this does take some time and commitment. Following the protocols and  suggested lifestyle changes is vital. Teresa will go over your health, diet, lifestyle, past and current treatments and products. Many clients over the past 20 years have been able to avoid harsh prescriptions, such as Accutane. To learn more or schedule an appointment with Teresa, please call 603-595-0224. Online- phone consultations are also available for those not able to come to our skincare clinic in Hudson, NH.

Blog written by Megan Ward

Sources:

https://tibot.ai/symptoms/4-stages-of-acne-and-its-treatment/

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne/advanced#tab-overview

 

---

Also in Premium Skincare