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Staying Ahead Of Maskne: How To Treat Acne Under Your Mask

The number of people seeking treatments for acne breakouts has skyrocketed since COVID-19 made regular mask use mandatory. This is because, as you can imagine, keeping a mask on for large swaths of time is a big shift for most people’s daily routines, throwing a wrench in what normally works to prevent and treat acne at home.

The clever name people gave this phenomenon, “maskne,” is grounded in science. Maskne occurs when sweat, bacteria, and oil are stuck on the skin when wearing a mask, forming a perfect environment for breakouts.

AVOIDING MASKNE

Switch To A More Breathable Mask

There’s a wide range of textures, materials, and thickness when it comes to masks, some of which are highly protective from spreading disease, but not very breathable for usability. Dermatologists recommend that 100% cotton is the best since it allows your skin to respire a little. Breathability is also important to help prevent sweat buildup, especially in warmer temperatures.

Wash Masks and Face Often

Because bacterial buildup occurs much more quickly and lasts longer while wearing a mask, you may find it beneficial to wash your face, at least where the mask touches, more often than you would normally. Also washing your reusable mask regularly can help prevent breakouts by cleaning the fabric that could be harboring acne-causing bacteria.

ACNE TREATMENT OPTIONS

BBL HERO

BBL HERO  is a cutting-edge, FDA-approved treatment that uses the power of light to treat a myriad of skin conditions like hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and even acne.  Using a special setting on BBL HERO, we can comfortably and effectively aid in clearing up acne without creams or medicine.

BBL HERO Treatments Procedure

BBL HERO is the world’s most powerful Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) device delivering light energy deep into your skin to stimulate and regenerate your skin cells. The energy from the pulse infrared and visible light primes the upper layers of your skin to increase the production of collagen, which is a structural protein that the body uses for wound repair, including acne and acne scaring, creating clear, healthy, and radiant skin.

Following a BBL HERO Treatment

Immediately after BBL HERO treatment, you may see worsening brown patches which may appear scaly or similar to coffee grounds. This typically heals within 1-2 weeks, revealing healthy skin. Some sensitive patients can have minor swelling as well. This resolves in a few days. It is always recommended to wear sunscreen, as your skin will be sensitive after the treatment.

MICRO-NEEDLING TREATMENT

Automated Micro-Needling (also known as Collagen Induction Therapy or CIT) is another option for acne and acne scaring, as well as treating the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and improvement of the skin’s overall appearance.  The micro-needling treatment creates controlled micro-injuries to the skin in order to naturally produce collagen and elastin. The skin’s repair process results in improvement of acne scaring and active acne.  Automated micro-needling also creates superficial micro-channels which can be used with acne reducing serums to help improve the appearance of the epidermal layer of the skin.  This treatment is safe on any skin type, has a short treatment time, and has minimal discomfort with virtually no downtime.

LIGHT CHEMICAL PEEL

Of all the available medical-grade chemical peels, light-duty peels are some of the most superficial. They are among the standard procedures for treating acne and are widely used since they have no downtime. It exfoliates your skin, removing layers of dead or infected skin cells with beta or alpha hydroxy acid.

How Light Chemical Peels Work

Regardless of what the name may imply, light chemical peels do not peel your skin. They chemically exfoliate your skin, allowing you to remove dead skin cells more efficiently. By removing the dead skin cells and extra oil from clogging pores, this process removes blemishes and helps prevent future breakouts.

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) function in a similar way. BHAs dissolve the excess oil that has accumulated in the pores and are generally less irritating compared to AHAs.

ACNE TREATMENT IN MILWAUKEE, WI

At Wisconsin Vein Center and MediSpa, we have several options for treating acne and maskne breakouts, including the previously mentioned chemical peels, microneedling, and BBL HERO treatments. To find out which of our acne treatment options may be right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our clinicians, all medical professionals with extensive experience providing excellent treatment in the Milwaukee area. Contact us by calling  262-236-5179 or filling out a contact form online.

Owner / On-Site Medical Director at Wisconsin Vein Center & MediSpa | Website

Dr. Deborah Manjoney is a board-certified surgeon and physician with extensive training, including cardiothoracic surgery. She founded the Wisconsin Vein Center & MediSpa in 2002, where she specializes in vein treatments and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. Dr. Manjoney is nationally recognized, having spoken at conferences, received awards, and contributed to medical publications.