Almost everyone experiences an occasional breakout from stress or skincare products. Sometimes, it’s easy to know what the marks on our skin come from, whether it’s stress, a new skincare product, or a pimple we probably shouldn’t have picked at. Other times, changes in our skin’s appearance can be more mysterious. This is especially true for more persistent concerns, like chronic acne or sun damage.
Why do these skin concerns happen, what do they say about your skin health, and what can you do about them? Here’s what you need to know about the causes and best facial treatments for three common skincare concerns.
3 Skin Concerns You Shouldn’t Ignore (Plus Facial Treatments That Target Them)
Some of the most common skincare complaints we see include things like:
- Sun spots and damage, which occur due to exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays
- Melasma, a type of hyperpigmentation in the skin
- Acne is a chronic condition that causes hair follicles to become clogged by excess sebum (oil)
Let’s take a closer look at potential causes and facial treatment options for each.
1. Sun Spots and Sun Damage
As you’d expect, sun damage happens when your skin is exposed to sunlight. While you need some sunlight to produce vitamin D, overexposure harms your skin.
Potential Causes
The sun’s UV light can reach deep layers of your skin and harm skin cells called keratinocytes. Your skin produces extra pigment to absorb UV light, but chronic exposure can cause inflammation, weaken your skin, and damage DNA in cells.
Ongoing exposure without sunscreen can lead to roughness, dry skin patches, skin barrier disruption, and pigment changes known as “sun spots.” It also encourages skin cancer growth and speeds up the signs of aging.
Sun Damage Facial Treatment Options
The most important step in treating sun damage is to prevent further damage by using sunscreen daily and avoiding sunbathing or tanning beds. A few products and advanced facial treatments can help refresh your skin and even out tone and pigmentation, including:
- Over-the-counter and prescription retinol
- Chemical peels
- Laser facial treatment
2. Melasma
Melasma is a condition that causes brown or grey patches, typically on the face, and is a type of hyperpigmentation. More common in women, these patches are often on your cheeks, upper lip, nose, and forehead.
Potential Causes
Melasma occurs when melanocytes overproduce melanin, or pigment, in the outer layers of the skin. Exposure to UV light is a major cause of melasma, but it can also develop due to hormonal changes. Melasma often appears after an increase in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, while taking hormone pills or birth control, and during thyroid disease.
Melasma Facial Treatment Options
Some at-home skincare treatments may help with hyperpigmentation, though you’ll need to wear sunscreen diligently to prevent it from recurring. Facial treatments include:
- Prescription retinol
- Hydroquinone cream
- Prescription steroid cream
- Vitamin C
- Kojic acid
- Azelaic acid
More advanced treatments with a skincare professional may be necessary to fully address stubborn areas. These may include:
- Chemical peels to remove the outer pigment cells
- Laser facial treatments to destroy melanin and remove pigmented cells
- Light therapy to fade pigmentation and remove damaged cells
3. Acne
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that causes pustules and papules, or pimples, on your skin. Some types of acne develop in deeper layers of the skin, forming cysts and nodules that can be painful.
Potential Causes
Acne occurs when your pores become clogged and has many contributing factors. It commonly occurs during puberty or other hormonal changes, when your body overproduces sebum (oil) and clogs pores.
A skin protein known as keratin may also build up and block your pores or follicles. Bacteria normally exist inside these follicles, but they can overgrow and become overactive as buildup happens. These bacteria can then cause more inflammation within your skin.
Acne may be common in your family, but it is also linked to certain medications, skincare products, stress, some foods, and even exercise.
Acne Facial Treatment Options
You can treat mild acne at home with facial treatment products, such as salicylic acid wash, benzoyl peroxide cream, and over-the-counter retinoid creams. More severe acne may need medical treatment to prevent scarring. These may include:
- Prescription antibiotic pills
- Prescription retinol cream or pills
- Birth control medication
- A prescription anti-androgen pill called spironolactone
Professional and non-invasive facial treatments may also help improve acne, skin congestion, and post-acne skin concerns, such as scars or hyperpigmentation. These include:
- Superficial chemical peels with glycolic acid or salicylic acid for pigmentation
- Laser treatment for redness
- Infrared light therapy to kill bacteria and curb oil
- Nd:YAG laser to improve the appearance of scars
Restore Your Skin With Facial Treatments in Manhattan
Your daily habits, skincare routine, and regular professional facial treatments are key to healthy, glowing skin. Whether you need facials in Murray Hill or sun spot removal in New York, finding expert care is essential.
Laser By Monica is a boutique laser facial treatment and skincare studio in New York City. Monica herself has performed over 70,000 treatments and personalizes each treatment to your unique skin and needs.
Treat your skin and reveal your natural beauty with our experts at Laser by Monica. Book an appointment to learn more.