First aid for acne

It's a good idea to simply replace ‘teenage pimples’ with ‘acne’. I'm really not that youthful anymore, but I can still have breakouts regularly. If something bad happens, you can bet that my chin is restless. They say that if you have a lot of pimples during your high school years, you have oily skin and will get fewer wrinkles later. Well, I don't know if that's entirely true, but it's definitely good news that you can do something about acne.

I knocked on the door of Annelijn from Ireland, who helps many people with their acne through her Skin clinic. By the way, she does many more fantastic things for your skin, but I'll tell you about that another time. For now, the spotlight is on the pimples.

Annelijn, tell me everything.

“Acne is one of the most common skin conditions and occurs in varying degrees, from mild to very severe. Almost everyone experiences acne during puberty. For some, it's just a few pimples, while for others, it can be more serious forms of acne and may have a significant impact.

Acne occurs when there is excessive sebum production. This is primarily hormonal, but genetics also play a role in the development of acne. Additionally, there are factors that can influence the severity of acne. For example, think of stress or diet, such as sugars, which can worsen acne.

Even in adulthood, pimples can occur. If you still experience acne after your thirties, it usually has to do with hormones. For example, there are women who experience impurities and pimples every cycle.”

An unsettled skin can give an insecure and sometimes even depressed feeling.

If you suffer from acne, always seek help
“An unsettled skin can give an insecure and sometimes even depressed feeling. Fortunately, there are good treatments that can help. Something I highly recommend, as it can also prevent scars that can arise from acne. If you catch it in time, you can really prevent this in some cases.”

Peels for acne
“Peeling treatments with higher concentrations of salicylic acid (BHA), glycolic acid (AHA), and lactic acid can significantly improve acne. Impurities in the skin occur when a pore becomes clogged due to a buildup of old, dead skin cells. Normally, the skin naturally sheds these skin cells. When the skin starts producing more sebum, these skin cells can get stuck in the pores, causing them to become clogged and impurities to form. During a peel, the acids essentially dissolve a layer of the skin, making the pores less clogged. Salicylic acid is fat-soluble and thus penetrates deeper into the pores. Additionally, salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties.”

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How does an Nd:Yag laser help with acne?
“If you suffer from a lot of sebum or larger inflammations, you can undergo a peel with a laser treatment. The Nd:Yag laser reaches the sebaceous glands, exactly where the bacteria multiply in the pore, causing impurities. Furthermore, a laser has the positive side effect of improving the overall condition of the skin. Think of combating skin aging and reducing superficial scars.”

Referral and reimbursement
“For the treatments of acne and acne scars by the skin therapist, you do not need a referral from a general practitioner or medical specialist, unless your health insurer specifically requests it. The amount of reimbursement varies by health insurance. Acne therapy falls under the reimbursement of the supplementary insurance. In the policy conditions of your health insurance, you can read whether you are entitled to a (partial) reimbursement of the treatment(s).”

And if I go to you, will my insurance cover that?
“Skin clinic is affiliated with the Dutch Association of Skin Therapists (NVH) and all skin therapists at Skin clinic are registered in the Quality Register for Paramedics. This means they meet all the conditions set by the health insurance as your provider. Furthermore, it naturally depends on your insurer and the insurance you have taken out.”

Annelijn van Ierland is a skin therapist, scientific researcher (MSc), and founder of Skin clinic. She has nearly twenty years of experience in the field of acne and skin improvement.