Thinking of popping that pimple? Don’t!

“You need to pop the pimple to unclog your pores!”

“You’re not washing your face enough!”

If you have ever experienced an acne problem, you probably would have received well-meaning advice on how to deal with it.

However, misconceptions can sabotage your efforts to effectively tackle acne, which occurs when hair follicles are plugged with oil, excessive sebum secretion, bacteria and skin debris.

According to Ms Mathilda Koh, Bioskin’s founder and chief executive officer, acne can appear in many forms, such as whiteheads and blackheads, papules (small red, tender bumps) and pustules (pimples filled with pus). Severe acne can also manifest as large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. And if you think acne only happens to teenagers undergoing puberty, you’re mistaken. People of all ages can get acne, said Ms Koh.

Here, Ms Koh debunks common acne myths and shares how Bioskin’s Acne Purifying Face Treatment can help soothe acne-prone skin.

What are some common misconceptions that can worsen an acne problem?

Many people do not realise that they should not squeeze their pimples. Doing so may cause scabbing, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or tissue loss that results in pitted acne scars.

Squeezing the pimple also pushes bacteria deeper into your skin, which in turn clogs pores even more. This triggers inflammation under the skin and makes the acne more noticeable. If the pimple contains infected pus, popping it can cause the bacteria to spread and affect other pores and hair follicles, creating a bigger acne outbreak.

Who is prone to getting acne?

People with oily or combination skin are most prone to acne. Hormonal fluctuations can cause excessive production of oil, resulting in acne.

Stress also causes your body to produce more androgens, which stimulate oil glands and hair follicles in the skin. In Singapore, high levels of stress and a hot, humid environment are common causes of acne. Popping your pimples, washing your face excessively and not washing off your makeup properly can aggravate the problem.

How does Bioskin’s Acne Purifying Face Treatment treat acne-prone skin?

The treatment uses potent skin care ingredients to tackle acne. It involves the use of skin cleansing, steam, a scrubber device that deep-cleanses and exfoliates to remove blackheads, and a high-frequency treatment to help fight acne-causing germs and bacteria.

The 90-minute treatment also includes the application of:

• Salicylic acid: A beta hydroxy acid derived from willow bark, salicylic acid has oil-soluble properties that allow it to penetrate into the pores of the skin and break down connections between skin cells and unclog the skin.
• Wonder Cream: The main active ingredient in this cream is retinoid, which can help to unclog pores, treat excessive oil production and combat acne-causing bacteria.
• Pro-Recovery Mask: This cream mask aims to soothe sensitive and irritated skin while providing a moisturising and regenerative effect to aid recovery of acne scars.

How soon can improvements be seen?

Results can be expected as early as two weeks, depending on the individual’s skin condition and hormonal fluctuation.

How often should people undergo the treatment?

We recommend regular treatments every two weeks, along with the use of home care products recommended by our consultants.

Any advice on preventing acne?

Avoid consuming dairy products, greasy food, sugary food and food high in carbohydrates. Minimise heavy foundation and makeup, and remove your makeup thoroughly before going to bed. Clean your makeup products and phone screen regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria.

Limit sun exposure and keep yourself hydrated as your skin tends to produce excess oil when you are dehydrated. Do not over-exfoliate your skin as removing too much natural oils can cause it to produce more oil instead.

Join Bioskin’s contest for a chance to win three sessions of Acne Purifying Face Treatment and three Wonder Cream products. The contest ends on Jan 12, 2020. Currently, you can also enjoy a promotional rate of S$38 for the Acne Purifying Face Treatment. Terms and conditions apply. Visit bioskin.sg or call 6222 6777 for more information. Follow @mathildakoh on Instagram for exclusive promos.