Peaches And Cream

Great looks come with great skin, so get crackin’ on that epidermis. Dirt and oil blocks pores causing blackheads and pimples, while dirt, grime and pollutants are drawn to oily skin like moths to a flame. So wash your facem cleanse and tine  at least twice a day.

Laura Mercier’s  collection plays on your looks.
Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit ($159 Value)
 

MAKE-UP can improve your looks instantly, but it’s not a magic wand. To get gorgeous make-up, focus on skin care and choose something that works for you.

• Laura Mercier Undercover Pot covers blemishes and eye bags but doesn’t make them disappear. A good skincare routine and healthy lifestyle (no smoking, getting enough exercise and sleep) helps you combat such problems.

• When choosing a Moisturizing Foundation shade, don’t try it on the back of your hand. Instead, blend it along your jaw line. The perfect color should disappear when you blend it in.

• Applying foundation with your fingers will only add oil to your face. Always use a Laura Mercier 4-Pack Sponge; a damp sponge allows for a smoother application.

• Focus on the part of your face that you like. It can be your eyes, your lips, anything. If you keep focusing on the flaws, like a scar or a pimple, you will not find the beauty in you.

Ranging in size from small red dots, to large, deep pock-marks, acne scars are a very real skin trauma for many acne sufferers. Today, several advanced treatment options are available which can improve the appearance of these scars dramatically.

Acne can cause a host of changes in the skin and, leave behind a few parting gifts: scars or hyper-pigmentation. But can these marks ever be vanquished? Yes! With smart skincare and a few simple treatments, acne scars can be reduced and the skin left with a smoother, more glowing appearance. Today, there are many techniques to help reduce the appearance of acne scars that actually work and, many are just a click away at your favorite beauty retailer.

What are acne scars? According to Skin Care: Beyond the Basics, (acne) scars form when “the skin, in a desperate attempt to heal itself, produces lots of collagen to try to compensate for the lack of normal skin functioning.” The result can be anything from a red spot or macule, to a raised scar to the typical ‘pit’ scarring commonly seen with more aggressive forms of acne. And, certain factors can affect how acne scars will fade: age of the scar, depth, intensity and to a certain extent-pigmentation of the skin. Some darker skin tones may find it harder to fade away acne scars as the very techniques or products used to fade the scar, if used improperly, may also fade normal skin tone.

One of the most commonly used, over-the-counter products to fade scars is
hydroquinone. Sold at a 2% solution, hydroquinone is a chemical that suppresses melanin production in the skin, allowing the scar or hyperpigmentation left behind to fade back to a normal skin tone. However, hydroquinone is not for everyone. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, or anyone who has liver problems or concerns should avoid this product as it may cause complications. Also, unprotected sun exposure will aggravate acne scars; sun exposure should be reduced while actively trying to fade acne scars. An effective formulation is Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel, which combines hydroquinone with herbal ingredients for maximum scar fading.

For a non-chemical alternative, try using an herbal based skin lightener, such as:

SkinCeuticals. Phyto Corrective Gel. These types of pigmentation products use herbal extracts to suppress melanin production, such as: liquorice, urva ursi or bearberry extract, kojic acid, azelaic acid and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and are perfect for those individuals who want to address hyperpigmentation, yet can’t use hydroquinone. Sun screen and sun protection must also be used in conjunction with herbal lighteners, as well, such as:  SkinCeuticals. Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30

In-patient, doctor-administered treatments for reducing acne scars are another option. Because they are less invasive yet offer visible results, two popular methods are dermabrasion and non-ablative laser resurfacing, although there are other techniques which may also improve the appearance of scars.

According to Dr. James Fulton, dermabrasion, “plane(s) the skin down to a level below the scar tissue, and allow (s) the skin to grow back minus the scarring.” making it ideal for treating acne scars. Performed under sedation in a doctor’s office, dermabrasion uses a machine with a rotating diamond or steel-edged wheel to ’sand’ away the damaged skin, smoothing out imperfections. The procedure shows most promising results on skin that is not prone to hyper-pigmentation, or very fair-skin tones and must not be performed on skin that is actively breaking-out or cystic. After treatment, the skin may scab or feel very dry. These lesions will heal relatively quickly, but redness and swelling may persist for several weeks. Dermabrasion is best for minor imperfections and shallow pitting rather than deep scarring and multiple treatments may be required to obtain the best results.
Non-ablative laser resurfacing uses a laser to smooth damaged skin. However, unlike an ablative laser, which removes the top layer of skin, non-ablative lasers are not destructive and do not remove any skin, improving recovery time and minimizing side-effects. The procedure may take more than an hour for widespread scarring and treatment is often administered in phases over a set period of time. As with dermabrasion, the skin must be free of active acne lesions or outbreaks before any laser treatment is started, and extreme care should be taken when in the sun. After the initial swelling has calmed, redness from the laser procedure may last for several weeks to a few months, depending upon the skin.

Treating acne scars has come a long way in the past 30 years, with many treatments improving the appearance of these scars by up to 50%. Explore all options and discuss your acne history, as well as your expectations, carefully with your doctor before starting any treatment. Most importantly-don’t cut any corners during recovery: wear sunscreen, follow at-home care and be rewarded with clearer, smoother skin.