Be the Spotless Bride

Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr Varun Katyal on the skin care routine for the acne prone bride

Having acne is hard for anyone but when you are getting married the thought of your skin breaking out can be a stressful, only adding to the wedding-stress. Here are a few tips you can follow after consultation with your dermatologist to prevent acne and to get rid of acne before your wedding day.

Clean sweep
It is vital to cleanse the skin appropriately using the right cleanser as per one's skin type, needs and concerns. Use a mild cleanser preferably with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in the morning and before bedtime. Never wipe or rub your face with the towel; blot or pat it dry. Do not wash excessively or scrub too hard. This can strip the skin of its natural oils and may irritate already-present acne. Avoid cream-based cleansers if you have oily skin. Some cleansers may also dry your skin, especially if you use them too much. You may have to try a few cleansers before you find one that works well for you.

Tone down
Follow up the cleanser with an appropriate toner.

Water your skin
After cleansing the skin, use a light, oil-free moisturizer. If your skin is very oily, you might want to skip this step. If using a moisturizer, ensure that the label reads "non-acnegenic" or "non-comedogenic."

Treat well
Most of the over-the-counter topical (skin-applied) treatments for acne contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, zinc, or sulfur. Treatments are available in gels, solutions, creams, lotions, or pads. Before you use a new product on your face, always consult your dermatologist. You should test the product on a small patch of skin on your arm or behind the ear to see if you are sensitive to the product. If the product causes too much irritation (e.g., redness, stinging, or peeling) look for a lower-strength product or use it less frequently.

If your acne does not improve after 6 to 8 weeks of use of the over the counter anti-acne products, contact your dermatologist for a more effective treatment.

Protect from the Sun
Use a non-comedogenic, broadspectrum sunscreen with an SPF of atleast 30 everyday.

Don' t experiment too close to the Wedding
Whatever you do, don't change your acne treatment products too close to your wedding. Some acne products may not suit you, and you don't want to take a chance with an unknown reaction too close to the big day. Experiment well before your wedding and then get on to a structured acne treatment routine.

Don' t forget Back and Body Acne treatments
Chances are, your dress may expose your back as well as a significant amount of shoulder and arm skin. Make sure to use a product to treat back and body acne for beautiful skin all over. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid and tea tree oil in these products.

Fade marks with an Acne scar treatment
If you have dark spots from previous breakouts, don't just conceal them, fade them with post-acne spot lightening formulations. Look for ingredients like kojic acid, retinol and arbutin etc. in these. Follow up with sun block or sunscreen to protect against future sun damage.

Don' t let stress further stress Skin
We know its not easy to avoid stress when you're planning a wedding, but the bad news is that stress can cause acne breakouts. Try to minimize your stress levels by taking enough time for yourself, eat well, get enough sleep and adopt relaxation practices like meditation, yoga etc.

Do not pick
The basic rule of prevention is not to irritate acne. Never pinch, rub or squeeze, as it may aggravate the infection leading to scarring.

Manage Oily hair
Oily hair can augment acne problems. Usage of pomades and sprays should be given away. Long hair could be prevented from falling on the face by pulling it back or opting for short style. It is imperative to use mild shampoo for hair wash everyday.

Finally, keep in mind that the way you feel on the inside is reflected on the outside. When you feel beautiful, it shows! Good luck with wedding planning!

Dr. Varun Katyal practises at The Skin Centre, New Delhi. His email address is theskincentre@rediffmail.com

Picture Courtesy : Dev
Website :www.cam-dev.in