As a company who provides professional skin care to estheticians, we are often asked: how can we help our clients get rid of acne forever? They have tried all sorts of products but skin still has embarrassing breakouts? Don’t worry – You are about to find the solution!

Did you know that anyone of any age can get acne?  Acne may be caused by a variety of factors. Acne can occur during puberty, menopause, pregnancy or stress. Bacteria, environmental influences, medications, hormonal oscillations, diet, lifestyle and/or health issues all contribute to skin breakouts.

In addition, not only oily skin breaks out. Dry skin can also experience acne.  Dry skin with acne is often hormonal in nature and is characterized by skin that looks and feels dry, yet still experiences blemishes (often painful.) Oily acne is characterized by shiny, oily areas, blackheads, pustules and blemishes, and enlarged pores.

So what to do? What products to use on clients that suffer from these different forms of acne? We prepared expert tricks and tips to help clients get the radiant, clear skin.

What type of acne does your client have?

As estheticians, we will come across various types of acne: oily acne, dry acne, cystic acne… It is essential that we understand which types of acne we are dealing with before we begin treatment.

• Does your client struggle to keep skin moist, yet have periodic breakouts?
• Does your client have shiny skin with oily, p**** pimples?
• Does your client break out in certain sides or parts of the face only
• Does your client suffer painful nodules under the skin that do not come to a head?

Identifying which type of acne clients have will determine the treatment protocol.

Use professional products and skin care lines that are appropriate for the particular type of skin.

Remember, not all skin types are the same.

If underlying skin is dry – it is important to remove dead cells, balance out moisture levels, and treat the root cause of the breakout. A product such as Biodroga MD Skin Refining Peeling with 3% natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) – glycolic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and lactic acid – exfoliates, hydrates and treats breakouts.  Skin does not dry out, pores open up, and oily clogs dissolve while dead skin cells are removed from the surface.

If skin is shiny and oily with large pores and pimples – it is important to balance out the sebum production while eliminating breakouts and decreasing pore size. Ingredients, such as salicylic acid, frees clogged pores from residues. Skin’s pH value is improved and its natural balance restored. Biodroga MD CLEAR + Serum is the first step towards balanced sebum production. It targets and prevents impurities. It has an astringent effect and refines the skin tone.

Cystic acne requires specialized products which penetrate deeply into the skin and address this painful, difficult condition at its root. If clients have large, red, and painful breakouts deep in their skin, it likely means they have developed something called cystic acne. Biodroga MD Skin Resurface Acid Serum is an effective instant-effect product for cystic acne with AHA acid, loosening dead skin cells and allowing the AHA acid to penetrate and do its job.

Educate clients to be consistent with getting regular, corrective treatments.

Estheticians and skin care professionals are trained in using stronger products and acids which can cleanse, exfoliate and manage acne.  It is important that – as skin care professionals with professional skin care products as our disposal – we educate our clients on the benefits of getting regular, corrective facials.

As an esthetician, I am a big fan of selling series. Clients love that they get a discount and I love the commitment and cash flow it brings. In my clinic, I offer a buy 6, get 1 free series for all my corrective treatments.  It may seem like you are losing money, but your schedule will be full of committed clients who care about their skin.

When I first began selling series, I was afraid. How can I ask clients to pay $1,500 up-front? However, the more I talked about the benefits of regular enzymes, acid peels and other corrective treatments, the more clients said “yes, sign me up.” I became booked for weeks ahead of time, quickly!

Keep reminding them – No Squeezing!

It’s hard for clients not to squeeze when they see big, juicy pimples staring back at them. However, as estheticians, we must teach them to RESIST! Fight the urge!  Squeezing acnes and pimples is not the solution for resolving acne. In fact, it is not a solution – it is a problem.  Squeezing causes bacteria to spread. And, they may cause scarring if squeezed too hard.  They want beautiful skin? Then, teach them not to squeeze at home – professional facials are the place to extract and eliminate bacteria.

Teach clients to keep hair and hands clean!

Our hands are dirty. All clients – but especially those with acne – must wash them often and keep them away from their face.  When we touch doorknobs, TV remotes, steering wheels, etc. we pick up bacteria – bacteria that are easily transmitted to our skin. For clean hands, wash often with antibacterial soap.

Same goes for hair.  Hair is a carrier of bacteria and products which can exacerbate acne.  Clients should avoid using gels, mousse, or fragrances on your hair. These products can get on the face and block skin’s pores. If you they have bangs or long hair, they should keep them away from their face. Also, if they have oily hair, they must wash it often to avoid breakouts.

After they clean hands, face or hair, they must use a clean towel to dry. I would hate to see a dirty towel under a microscope. Ick! Dirty towels spread bacteria, especially if you use the same towel for multiple parts of your body.

Also, instruct them to change their pillow cases on a weekly basis. Pillow cases soak up and spread oils from the face and hair.

Instruct clients to wash daily with an appropriate cleanser.

Washing your face twice per day – morning and evening with the appropriate cleanser – try Biodroga MD Clear + Cleansing Fluid goes a long way in eliminating acne and preventing breakouts.  However, clients must not wash more than twice a day because too much washing can make skin too dry. Over-Drying skin can produce sebum and excess sebum will lead to acne.

I know – clients get home late and exhausted –  the last thing they want to do is wash their face and remove makeup. Been there! However, sleeping with makeup clogs pores and worsens acne.

When they wash – which you will teach them to, right? – they must use appropriate cleansers for their skin type. Dry skins use gentle cleansers that do not strip the skin. Oily skins can use cleansers that are a bit more astringent and balance out sebum production.

Preferably look for products which have no mineral oil, synthetic fragrances or colors, PEG, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, animal substances or parabens! Biodroga MD does not use any irritants or harsh ingredients which will irritate and strip the skin.