Learn The Different Types Of Breakouts, And Treat Them Accordingly
For those who struggle with blemishes, you know how difficult it is to treat them. And even once the blemish is healed, you'll still have that red, dark, post-breakout mark that will linger for months as a reminder of that large blemish you once had. So follow this advice to ensure a speedy recovery!
When a blemish first starts to form, ask yourself: What kind of blemish is it?
An Acne Cyst?
These are those hard, sore bumps under the skin (most often occurring in the chin and jaw area) that linger for weeks.
What NOT To Do
Don't pick! They hurt. And you know that something is under there and if you pick at it long enough, you'll get that infection out, right? Wrong! You need to understand that true cystic blemishes will never come up to the surface. They develop deep in the dermis layer of the skin, and they heal there also. Left alone, the infection is not meant to come out of the skin. So if you pick at it repeatedly, yes, you might eventually get a little something out, but by that time, you have torn up the skin so severely that you're guaranteed to have a discolored mark for months. And let's face it, what's worse? Covering up a sore bump with makeup, or covering up a scabby scar for months? Your best bet is to leave it alone. Since the infection is not on the surface, traditional spot treatment drying lotions will not do anything other than to just dry out the skin, and leave you peeling.
What WILL Help
The moment you get this type of blemish, don't pick at it, and apply a small amount of Renée Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment. This incredible best-selling product doesn't dry out the surface of the skin but instead penetrates deep down into the dermis layer of the skin where the cyst is, and works to dissolve and disperse the infection to make it go away fast! It is the only product on the market to effectively treat cystic acne, and it really works! Plus, you can dab a small amount in areas where you're prone to getting them, to prevent future ones. Another option is getting a cortisone injection from the dermatologist, but who wants to deal with that? If they are primarily in the chin and jaw area, you might be consuming too many dairy products in your diet; try eliminating those foods and see if that makes a difference.
Recommended Renée Rouleau Product: Anti-Cyst Treatment
Read: 11 Causes of Blemishes
A Surface, Infected Blemish?
These are traditional blemishes or zits. They are red, moderately sore, larger in size, and form a yellowish whitehead after a day or two.
What NOT To Do
Don't pick this type of blemish the minute you feel it forming; rather, wait until it is ready. Why? Because if you attack it right away when the infection isn't ready to come out yet, you start injuring the skin which will result in a scar. Then you might start putting topical spot drying treatments on it; this will dry out the skin, not the infection, because the infection hasn't reached the surface of the skin yet. After a day or two, when the infection does come up to the surface, you squeeze it; although you can get the infection out, the dry skin is also peeling. The result is a post-breakout red mark or scar that will now linger for months. And that's worse than the blemish itself!
What WILL Help
The key here is to leave it alone and don't touch the skin until the infection has reached the surface, which is usually 1-2 days after the blemish first appears. Then you can carefully wrap your fingers and gently try to squeeze out the infection. Remember the rule: three strikes and you're out! If it doesn't come out after three tries, leave it alone and try again the next day. Once you do get the infection out, then apply a spot drying treatment because now it can really get into the skin and heal up any remaining infection. With a blemish, the goal is to eradicate it and to prevent a post-breakout red mark that lingers for months.
Recommended Renée Rouleau Product: Night Time Spot Lotion, Daytime Blemish Gel and Post-Breakout Fading Gel.
Read: When In My Routine Should I Apply an Acne Spot Treatment?
Little Clogged Bumps Under The Skin That Aren't Very Red And Sore?
These are little clusters of bumps (often on the forehead, but certainly can be on cheeks and chin, as well) that don't come and go. They can show up and last for months, and no acne drying products will make them disappear. In the world of skin care, they are known as closed comedones, which is basically clogged oil that is trapped under the skin.
What NOT To Do
Don't over-dry the skin. Because there is no infection (no redness, sore pus-like blemishes), using drying acne products won't help a bit.
What WILL Help
Remove dead, dry skin cell buildup by focusing on exfoliation. The more you remove the surface dry cells, the less the oil will stay trapped and clogged under the skin, making those clogged bumps start to disappear.
Recommended Renée Rouleau Products: BHA Clarifying Serum, Mint Buffing Beads, AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel or Triple Berry Smoothing Peel.
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Information courtesy of www.reneerouleau.com, a website with useful skin tips and advice from Renée Rouleau, a trusted skin care expert and esthetician in Dallas, Texas. Her exclusive skin care line is based on nine skin types, rather than only dry, normal and oily, and has a loyal following of celebrities.