How to use the right foundation application for acne skin

This is a very courageous video from a teenager who obviously suffers greatly from acne and acne scars, she has put herself forward exposing all to show how she achieves flawless looking skin with her foundation application for acne skin.

This is an extract from an article in the UK Daily Mail:

“Wearing full make-up and looking picture-perfect, the Bay Area local explains to her many YouTube fans: ‘I am the most self-conscious person about my face. The worst part about it, is its gotten a lot better. I mean it’s a good thing to say but it still looks awful.’

Stripping back the expert layers of primers, foundation, powders and setting sprays, Cassandra goes from fully-made-up to make-up free – showing the extent of her pimpled and blemished skin.

The teen, a horse-back riding and hiking fan, returns to the camera in a bathrobe at her ‘most insecure,’ with bare skin and looking a very different person.

‘I feel really disgusting,’ she says, her nerves catching in her voice as she explains that ‘this is probably the most nerve-wracking thing I could possibly do because it is my biggest insecurity… But this is my face.’”

Her Foundation : Make Up Forever HD Foundation

Can the Fraxel Dual Laser be the

Laser Acne Scar Removal Treatment for You?

A lot of times when we are looking for laser acne scar removal, the treatment would involve a one size fits all solution where good skin, as well as acne scarred skin, will receive the same laser treatment.

The results could be mixed as often acne scarred skin will require more attention and more focused laser treatment than normal skin, which does not require treatment at all.

Laser Acne Scar Removal

The Fraxel re:store Dual laser (also known as Solta Dual) is one of the latest products from Solta. Miniscule columns of light is targeted at the scar on the skin, sending fiber laser to the epidermis.

The idea is to re-wound the skin that is scarred so that it can heal itself again with new collagen growth. This procedure works particularly well for acne scars and pink skin from acne scarring as it forces the damaged area to re-heal itself naturally with smoother fresher skin.

It does not however, say whether the regrowth of new skin will be monitored to ensure new scarring does not form. So if you are thinking of using this procedure, ask your doctor about the what type of new skin will re-emerge.

However, it seems to be endorsed by some dermatologists:

“Fraxel re:store is one of the most effective treatments available for acne scarring and surgical scars,” states Austin dermatologist Dr. Gregory Nikolaidis, “Fraxel re:store Dual allows patients to achieve CO2-like results with minimal downtime. Both treatment options are state-of-the-art and set the standard for fractional resurfacing.”"

The site goes on to explain:

“FDA approved for acne and surgical scars, the Fraxel re:store Dual combines deep-penetrating Erbrium fiber laser with the more superficial Thulium fiber laser to offer patients more consistent and successful treatment of acne scars. Depending on the patient’s needs or severity of acne scarring, the physician may custom tailor treatment with the deeper penetrating, more superficial or a combination of the two lasers.”

If the acne scars are quite severe, patient may need anything from 3-6 treatments. Many patients report an improvement on their skin’s appearance often after the second treatment. The healing of the intention wounds will continue over a six months period where results will improve.

Depending on how severe the acne scarring is, a series of treatments is recommended, ranging between 3 and 6. However, many patients report seeing improvement of acne scarring after the 2nd treatment. Since the treatments are causing the body to heal the intentional wounds inflicted on the skin, results will continue to improve over the next six months as more collagen is regrown.

“According to the manufacturer, Fraxel re:store Dual is safe for patients of all color and skin types however, it is always important to extensively discuss laser treatments with your physician if you have darker skin due to post treatment complications such as hyperpigmentation.”

If you go onto this website, you will be able to enter your location and find the nearest Fraxel  re:store Dual laser treatment near you. Hopefully this will be what you are looking for in a laser acne scar removal treatment.

Tretinoin for Acne

Getting acne does not mean you will be scarred for life as a lot of acne heals and disappears by themselves over time. The most you can expect is hyper pigmentation of the skin which fades sooner or later.

When the acne on your skin becomes infected, it penetrates deeper inside the skin ‘s layers and damages the collagen in the dermal layer.

The skin’s tissue gets even further damaged by inflammation increases, and as your skin scrambles to heal the inflammation and repair the damage, scars occur from the healing process.

The severity of the scars is determined in part by the severity of the acne inflammation and by your skins ability to heal.

What is Tretinoin?

Tretinoin is also known as Retin-A; a retinoid and the acid form  of vitamin A. Aside from acne, tretinoin is also used for treating other skin damages done by the sun or from aging. It is used topically and can be purchases in gel or cream form.

Using Tretinoin for Acne – Start with a small amount

You need to use tretinoin under medical supervision. As everyone’s skin is different, your reaction to tretinoin will also vary. It is best to start off with a small dosage and gradually increase it over time to give your skin a chance to get used to it.

The best time to use tretinoin is in the evenings just before going to bed. As some people have experienced redness and itching when they first apply it, it is a case of looking worse before looking better.

Don’t expect overnight miracles

This does not mean however that tretinoin will work overnight and you will wake up with fresh unblemished skin, it can take anything up to 12 weeks before visible results are seen, so you need to be patient and persistent.

Make sure your face is thoroughly cleansed by a recommended product from your doctor, and that you apply the right moisturizer to protect your skin.

Tretinoin can be very drying

Tretinoin has quite a dramatic drying effect on some skin so it is best to moisturize properly to avoid too much “dry skin flaking” syndromes.

Then apply the medication as indicated. During the day, be aware that using tretinoin will make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays, so you may need to wear a sunblock or a big hat or both.

How Does Tretinoin for Acne Work?

Tretinoin works as a natural exfoliant as well as promoting collagen production, essential to keeping your skin healthy. It also combats bacteria and promotes new cell generation.

It works by gently removing the top layer of your skin so that mild scarring will gradually lessen and disappear, allowing newer skin cell to replace the damaged tissue.

As it concentrates on killing bacteria, you may experience skin irritation, redness, itching and a burning sensation. This is also why a gradual increase in the strength of the product is recommended.

This is a treatment that takes time to be effective. If you do not see results within a week or two don’t despair, keep at it and the desired results will happen. If you are at all unhappy or find that this treatment might not be for you, speak with your doctor or dermatologist.

Remember that tretinoin for acne is not for everyone. Consult your doctor before using this treatment and follow your doctor’s instructions for best results.

Tretinoin for Acne – Products you may like to try :

VITAMIN SERUM 1.7 oz/50ml. (Retinol Retin-a)
Afirm 2x .30% Retinol 1.05oz

Posts for other acne scar treatments:

Hypertrophic keloid scar removal

How to remove acne scars with punch excision

Remove acne scars with dermabrasion

We all want to look our best for those special parties and festivities. If you have acne or acne scars and you are feeling a bit self conscious about them, fear not as help is at hand.

Caring for Skin : Acne Scar Coverage

The first thing is to make sure that on a daily basis, you are wearing a good sunscreen of SPF 30+ so that the dark pigmentation around your scars are not accentuated by the sun’s ultra violet rays.

Next you want to get a good lightening product in the form of a gel or a cream to apply directly on the scar area to lightening the darken skin. Give it time to work, it is not going to happen overnight, although you should see results in about a week’s time depending on what you use.

I like this one : Phytomer Whiteclat 2 Whitening Spot Corrector Serum 1 fl oz (30 ml)

Getting acne and acne scar coverage is next. Apply your foundation, or tinted moisturizer first, then do touch ups for blemish coverage. A concealer with a sponge tip or a wand is good as it targets the intended area better. Get a color that is a shade lighter than your skin color and dab it in a small dabbing motion with your finger tips. Don’t rub, just dab gently until it has blended in with your skin.

Try this, it is really good : Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch Highlighter)

The idea is not to make it too obvious that you are concealing something. Rather, you want everything to blend in with the rest of your skin color naturally.

Now go out and have fun!

Related articles for acne scar coverage

• How To Even Out Skin Tone (howcast.com)
• Don’t get lost in foundation (telegraph.co.uk)