Our Skin Practitioner Jessica Shares Her Acne Story
In order to spread awareness, it's important to share stories! This Acne Awareness Month, we asked Jessica Jarrett, Skin Practitioner at Face the Future Clinic, to open up about the journey she's been on with acne...
The Beginning
When I was a teenager my skin was always good. I have an oily skin type but I experienced no issues with my complexion. I did the old 'cleanse, tone and moisturise' from the age of 15, then I started my Beauty Therapy course in 2007. It was then that I started using all sorts of different products and was eager to try anything new on the market. My skin is tolerant so I never had an issue. I started wearing a light amount of make up in my late teens around the age of 17, and my friends hated getting ready with me because I was always ready faster!
Adult Acne
My skin started to turn in my adult years at the age of 25, mainly due to coming off the implant. I think 2018 was when it was at its worst; it was cystic, inflamed, sore, red and angry. My acne was situated on my cheeks, making it at high risk of scarring and PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). I’m still battling with it now but my skin is one hundred times better, controlled and I am a lot more confident.
Anyone who has ever had acne will say it really affects their confidence and they are willing to try anything to remove it. Acne is usually stemmed from hormonal imbalances, but making some lifestyle changes can make a huge difference not only to your skin but also your wellbeing.
Before starting at Face the Future, I went to seek medical advice about my skin. I was put on treatment and had a course of skin peels. Immediately after my skin felt better but then it brought out even more spots, known as purging, and although I knew this was the cycle your skin must go through, “worse before better”, it was also soul destroying to visually see it.
Acne has many different triggers but if a family member has suffered more commonly, one or all children will inherit the gene. Growing up I always remember my mum having lovely skin, but my dad was the one that struggled with his skin.
Most acne is stemmed from hormonal changes. Although there is nothing you can do to change that hormonal imbalance, there are ways in which you can manage it and lower the frequency of breakouts.
I know that I may always get the odd spot and I can usually work out when and why it has occurred - normally around my period or if I’ve had a stressful or unhealthy couple of days. It is imperative that you know your own triggers so you can manage these along with regular facials and a good homecare routine to balance sebum production and bacteria.
Triggers can include:
- Hormonal Changes
- Certain Medications
- Diet
- Stress
- Lifestyle
Jessica's Go-To Acne Skincare Saviours
1. DMK Acu-Klenz
2. DMK Acu-Mist
3. Heliocare Gel Oil-Free SPF50
4. Advanced Nutrition Programme Omega 3 Fish Oils
5. Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Clear Biome
If you have acne, we are here to support you. We offer a free consultation service with our skin experts to help you figure out the best homecare products to use. Our Clinic also offers great acne treatments for all types of acne. If you'd like to browse on your own, take a look at our acne products edit.
