Reboot: Skin Scaries

Tired of covering up?

It's that time again, and we're back with our second edition of DERM Lab's "Skin Scaries." But wait! Don't reach for your Halloween mask just yet—we've got you covered. Read on for what to do when you'd rather wear a ghostly white sheet or hide behind a mask than bare your skin. 

If you're tired of trying to conceal your skin's imperfections, know that you're not alone and treatments are available. In case you missed it, we've rebooted last year's Halloween-themed Skin Scaries post, a hugely informative article about some of the common skin conditions experienced by millions of Canadians that can make you want to cover up, including acne and breakouts, rosacea and redness, as well as hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

Don't let skin scaries haunt your complexion! Cast off your disguise and confidently bare your best skin to the world. Empower yourself with knowledge and confidence, ensuring that you no longer need to cover up like a ghost when facing these common skin conditions.

Read on for more!

Acne and breakouts

Breakouts, pimples, zits, blackheads, we’ve all had them. Acne, however, is an inflammatory disorder of the skin in which dead skin cells combine with sebum (oil) and create a plug in the opening of a hair follicle (pore). This plug traps bacteria that normally live on the skin (Cutibacterium acnes). These bacteria thrive in the absence of oxygen, and proliferate inside the plugged pore. This can develop into swelling, redness, inflammation, and sometimes pus, creating pressure on the follicle wall. In some cases, the pressure is so great, the follicle wall will break and seep bacteria and infection into nearby skin.

Acne is classified according to severity:

Treatment options

Active acne is considered a medical concern and medical options (e.g., prescriptions) may be appropriate for treatment and management. The first step is to see your family doctor. If appropriate, your family doctor may refer you to see a dermatologist. Cosmetic laser treatment can sometimes be an alternative or complementary treatment to prescriptions. Check out our other post on laser treatment options!

For persistent dark spots or residual acne scars, cosmetic treatments like laser or RF microneedling may be appropriate. 

For minor breakouts that don’t require a prescription, sometimes a solid skin care routine with medical-grade products at home is sufficient. Ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid (also called BHA) and benzoyl peroxide may be helpful.

Our top picks for breakout-prone skin

Pick up these products in clinic or come see us for personalized skin care recommendations!

Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone

Hyperpigmentation is a term for dark spots and can range from freckles and moles to large areas of speckling, as well as melasma (sometimes referred to as pregnancy mask, as it can appear in women during pregnancy or while using birth control pills).

Hyperpigmentation is caused by a buildup of melanin (brown pigment) in the skin. Often this is the result of photodamage (exposure to UV radiation). In the case of melasma, more research is needed to determine the cause, but triggers for melasma can include changes in hormone levels, photosensitizing medications, and sun exposure.

Treatment options

Melasma is considered a medical concern and medical options (e.g., prescriptions) may be appropriate for treatment and management. The first step is to see your family doctor. If appropriate, your family doctor may refer you to see a dermatologist.

For other forms of hyperpigmentation, cosmetic treatments like laser or RF microneedling may be appropriate.

Over the counter products can also help to brighten the complexion, fade dark spots and prevent hyperpigmentation from worsening. Ingredients like L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), retinol, resorcinol, kojic acid, azelic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids may be helpful.

Our top picks for brightening uneven skin tone

Pick up these products in clinic or come see us for personalized skin care recommendations!

Redness and rosacea

Sensitive skin types often experience flushing or persistent redness, maybe in the cheeks, nose, chin, or even the neck and chest. Rosacea in particular is a common inflammatory skin condition, and genetics play a strong role here. Common triggers for rosacea can include alcohol, spicy foods, hot food and drink, caffeine, vigorous exercise, saunas, hot tubs and other quick changes in temperature.

If the redness is sudden or unusual, you may be experiencing a reaction to a product (also called contact dermatitis). If the redness is persistent and something you’ve experience for a while, it may be rosacea.

Treatment options

Rosacea and dermatitis are considered medical concerns and medical options (e.g., prescriptions) may be appropriate for treatment and management. The first step is to see your family doctor. If appropriate, your family doctor may refer you to see a dermatologist.

For rosacea, cosmetic laser treatment can sometimes be an alternative or complementary treatment to prescriptions. Check out our other post on laser treatment options!

Redness due to general sensitivity can often be managed by using gentle products at home, formulated with calming and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as ceramides, niacinamide, bisabolol and allantoin.

Our top picks for sensitive skin

Skin scaries, be gone!