We started with Jill explaining some basics about acne. Acne is a common skin condition that typically affects people ages 11-30. Of course, it can appear at any age. Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become blocked by hair, sebum, bacteria or dead skin cells. There are many factors that cause acne. Some factors are hormonal changes, diet, stress or simply genetics.

There are also different types of acne. The most common types of acne are blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules. Starting with blackheads, blackheads are open bumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. As their name suggests, they appear black on your skin. Then we have whiteheads, bumps that remain closed by oil and dead skin. Again, they appear white on the skin. Next, there is a papule.  This type of acne appears as red or pink bumps that become inflamed. Pustules are pimples that contain pus. Most often these have a yellowish appearance. Your talented Sanctuary Spa esthetician can treat all of these forms of acne.

Jill says cleansing your skin with a proper cleanser is the first step to tackling the acne clearing process! She provided two suggestions for your acne treatment plan. Source Vital’s Lemon Gel Cleanser contains antibacterial turmeric root powder and micro algae to dissolve makeup, dirt and oil. Rhonda Allison’s Green Tea Beta Cleanse is an alternative choice. This corrective cleanser contains salicylic acid, mandelic acid and heart of green tea. These ingredients combine to help clear breakouts and reduce bacteria and inflammation. Both cleansers are great options for acne- prone skin. Guests have found that using one cleanser in the morning and the other at night has helped their skin tremendously!

Next, Jill recommends using Rhonda Allison’s Mandelic Repair Serum. A common side-effect of acne is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or red marks, left after blemishes are healed. This product is a gentle exfoliator that is great for all skin types, even if you have Rosacea. Used after your cleanser, this exfoliator brightens the skin and evens out your complexion. A go-to for your evening routine, begin using it 3-4 times a week and increase as needed.

In your morning or evening routine, you can add Rhonda Allison’s Vital Repair Gel after you cleanse and after you apply Mandelic Repair Serum.  Jill recommends this serum as a key product to help heal acne lesions. Vital Repair Gel contains epidermal growth factors to promote cellular turnover and aloe vera to soothe your skin.

Lastly, Jill highly suggests that you finish off your regime by adding an SPF! Not a surprise to us as all of our estheticians promote SPF as their number one prevention product. An SPF of 30 or higher will protect your skin from developing further hyperpigmentation. Plus, it’s important in any pro-youth skincare routine and to prevent skin cancer. Remember, even if it’s overcast outside, apply SPF! UV radiation is always present, so you should apply daily and even refresh your SPF throughout the day.

Jill also recommends the Extraction Facial. The Extraction Facial is 45 minutes and focused on freeing your skin of impacted breakouts. Of course, you can always schedule a 75 minute Personalized Facial and add an emphasis on extractions, if you’d like more time and more facial massage touches. Not all breakouts are ready for extraction. These visits will allow your esthetician to best prepare your skin. Plus, if you’re faithfully following your at-home skincare routine, your time in the room will be most effective.

After extracting the skin, your esthetician will follow up with a high frequency treatment. High frequency helps with bacteria and the healing process of the extracted skin. It helps because it promotes increased blood flow in your skin. That increased blood flow helps with cell renewal. The high frequency also promotes detoxification of your skin. Facials can bring up breakouts sitting under the skin, so be aware that your skin can purge in between services.

Adding LED light therapy to the end of your facial is also a great step. The LED light used is a cellular panel that is FDA approved that utilizes blue light along with red light and infrared technology. Yes! Rocket scientist approved help for you skin. The blue light is a surface light that targets blemishes to kill the bacteria. The red light targets deeper into the skin to promote healing and collagen production. And lastly, infrared calms and soothes the skin and any swelling associated with acne. This service is 30 minutes and an easy addition to any facial treatment. When in the spa, your esthetician can set up the LED and even provide a hand massage, if you’d like.

It’s important to remember that we typically recommend seeing your esthetician every 4-6 weeks once you are in maintenance mode. However, when you’re actively treating acne, you may want to space your appointments every 2-3 weeks so that you’re working with your esthetician to address acne at all stages. Jill’s recommendation for the extraction facial is purchase as a series of 6, and then working with you esthetician and your schedule figure out your frequency. The LED light therapy is recommended 3 times a week for 4-6 weeks, depending on the severity of your breakouts. If you don’t have time in your busy schedule to come into the spa that often, we do offer a rental program so you can use the cellular panel at home at your convenience.

Combining in spa treatments and proper consistent home care is key to your acne treatment journey. Remember, acne doesn’t just effect teens! Whatever your age, Jill and Sanctuary Spa’s estheticians are here to help. Call or text us at 713.622.7722. Schedule your services online at besanctuary.com/book. Or even email us at guestcare@besanctuary.com or DM us @sanctuaryspahou. We are ready to go on this skin care journey with you!