Depending on your acne type, Rosemary Barclay of Old Lyme, CT explains the benefits of two popular, professional treatments.
Clearing stubborn acne can take more than store-bought products or treatments. Two very popular options are natural peels and microdermabrasion sessions. Various factors come into play when
Rosemary Barclaychoosing which treatment is best for you. Rosemary Barclay, owner and founder of Bonne Santé Wellness Center in Old Lyme, CT., uses her experience to explain the difference between the two.
Natural Peels
The ability of an exfoliating peel to reach the deeper layers of the skin is a must for acne sufferers as without these peels the dead skin cells will sit on the epidermal layer of the skin, block pores and not allow fresh new skin to rise to the surface.
Peels can range from mild maintenance peels that have no downtime, to more severe peels which can show faster results but may take a week or more to fully heal.
The best formula will usually contain natural acids, which exfoliates dead skin cells and clean out pores. Rosemary Barclay recommends this method first and foremost, as it can be used to treat both inflamed and non-inflamed acne.
Rosemary Barclay notes that there are additional benefits to chemical peels besides simply exfoliation. They can be used for antibacterial treatment and lightening hyperpigmentation.
Because there are so many different combinations of peel possible, they can really be used to target specific problems based on the ingredients. Many peels on the market are even made of natural ingredients that come from fruit.
While most people have heard of lactic acid and glycolic peels, mandelic acid is relatively new to the skin industry and is naturally derived from bitter almonds.
Mandelic acid’s larger molecules penetrate the skin much more slowly than other peels, making it much more gentle and much less likely to cause skin irritation.
Mandelic acid has natural antibacterial effects, so it can be especially helpful in reducing inflammatory acne. It can also help fade dark marks left by pimples and is thought to have anti-aging benefits.
Microdermabrasion
This method uses a mechanical method to more physically remove the outer layer of dead skin. The most commonly used method, known as diamond microdermabrasion, uses an abrasive wand that glides over the skin while sucking up dead skin cells.
Rosemary Barclay recommends using the diamond method over older methods which require aluminum oxide crystals to be sprayed on the face. Microdermabrasion should not be used to treat inflammatory acne but it’s very useful in treating acne scars and hyperpigmentation.
Microdermabrasion is absolutely not recommended for people with combination or inflamed acne type. Rosemary Barclay notes that using abrasive tools on inflammation causes more irritation and additional breakouts. Again, this method should never be used on cysts of any kind.
The treatment is non-invasive, pain-free and requires zero downtime. While clients report that their skin glows and looks younger only after one treatment, long-term results are much more likely when microdermabrasion treatments are completed in a series.
To determine which of these treatments are best for your skin type schedule a complimentary skin consultation at our wellness center.
About Rosemary Barclay
Rosemary Barclay of Old Lyme, CT believes that nutrition is fundamental to good health, and affects many facets of well-being including the skin, energy, immunity, mood, and performance. The Bonne Santé Wellness Center in Old Lyme, CT, offers solutions to problematic skin without the use of antibiotics or harsh chemicals.
She earned a bachelor’s degree and a Ph.D. in biochemistry in addition to becoming a board-certified nutrition specialist, certified esthetician, and acne specialist. Rosemary Barclay lives in Old Lyme, CT.
