For as long I can remember, acne has plagued my life. Sometimes it feels as if I have tried everything under the sun: from squeezing them so hard that my entire face turns red to gently patting them over with Colgate toothpaste in the hope that they will dry out and eventually fade away.
No particular do-it-at-home hacks have ever solved my acne woes. I suppose being constantly bombarded by television advertisements from a young age, of women enthusiastically washing their faces only to lift them up looking brighter and clearer at the end, caused me to believe that managing acne should be a one-time fix and pretty much straightforward.
This month, I completed my third microneedling session. I hesitated for a while before making the commitment because not only is it expensive (each session costs around €210), but it leaves your face swollen for a few days and for those that are sensitive like myself it tends to hurt. You have to plan your activities around it.
Rationalising what is a fair price to pay will always be difficult, particularly because of the plethora of options pushed in front of you to sort out your acne woes. Why would anyone opt for such an expensive option when Clean & Clear face wash promises to do the same?
I suppose it would take trial and error to decide whether or not to give a whole new strategy a chance but here is what I noticed three sessions later:
Serum application
The skin is swollen and irritated and while it does go down eventually applying hydrochloric acid helps to keep the face calm and aids in locking in moisture. I have to avoid standing over heat when cooking, stay hydrated and apply sunscreen generously if going into the sun. Its natural for the face to feel flaky and tight although for the last two sessions I didn’t experience this.
Time
The effects of micro needling can’t be seen straight away. So don’t wake up hoping for a miracle. Cell renewal takes time and patience. I have made peace with the reality that acne is treatable and it will come and go depending on lifestyle, diet and care.
Premium facial products
Again, this may seem like an over-the-top investment but it really is a small price to pay in the long run and most importantly treatment doesn’t work without at-home care. I try my best not to mix different brands as I find layering products from different brands doesn’t guarantee the same effectiveness. A brand that caters to Black and Brown skin would also be ideal. I have been using Dr Barbara Sturm products for the past year.
