Acne Facial and Skincare Regimen at Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery is Clearing Up My Stubborn Acne - Carmel, IN

I broke out some time ago with a horrible case of acne across my lower face. Just horrible! It would not go away. Long story short, it seems that it was caused by the prescription testosterone that I had been on for a year or so from my ObGyn. I tried many different things to clear up my acne and nothing worked. Nothing. At my wit's end, I turned to Dr. Catherine Winslow for help. She is my facial plastic surgeon and a darn good doctor!

Dr. Winslow has a range of aesthetic services in addition to facial plastic surgery procedures. The aesthetic services are available regardless if you had facial plastic surgery with her or not. She also offers a great line of skin care products. Recently, I had a clinical facial at Dr. Winslow's practice with her aesthetician Jen.

At WFPS, Jen did a thorough consultation with me. We discussed my problem in depth, what I had done to address it to date, and then her recommendation for treatment. Then Jen performed a clinical facial to clear up my skin. This is different from a pampering facial that you'd get at a salon or day spa. Because I have a dermatological issue that needs correction this requires a medical grade facial that you would get from a dermatology practice or facial plastic surgery practice or medical spa. I highly recommend if you are having acne problems that you get a consult with a medical professional for a therapeutic medical-grade facial. My skin is clearing up after just one treatment and nothing else worked for me!

First, of course, I discontinued the testosterone. The excessive production of sebum, which causes acne, is linked to hormonal changes, which is why acne is common in teenagers and women before their periods or who are on hormone therapy. The sebum also causes bacterial overgrowth on the skin.

Jen did a thorough consultation with me. We discussed my problem in depth and what I had done to address it to date. Jen listened closely. When I said that oral vitamin C causes me to breakout, she recommended that I stop applying vitamin C serum to my face — a product that is usually great for skin, but its not great for my skin! Jen then prescribed a new skin care regimen and medical acne facial series to get my pimples under control.

I laid back on a comfy table that was blanketed in soft cloths — making it so comfortable that I eventually wanted just to take a nap after my treatment. Jen began my acne facial by softening my skin with steam and a deep cleansing.

Next, Jen did a dermaplane treatment. Dermaplaning is a non-invasive, manual method of facial skin exfoliation using a sterile blade. Dermaplaning is a gentle treatment and it feels good, so don’t be freaked out because a blade is used. Its just a scalpel. Jen said there was a lot of “gunk” (my word not her’s) in the deep layers of my skin. I think outside of doing procedures that have down time, such as my chemical peel by Dr. Winslow in 2014, or certain lasers, that the dergmaplane provides the clearest complexion possible.

Next Jen did acne extraction. I had lots of tiny pimples and even one blackhead — my first ever! The extraction immediately got rid of the majority of the acne. It is, however, a procedure that doesn’t tickle. Jen said she was unable to get everything, and that is not unusual. Several treatments may be required and just how many you need is going to vary depending on how bad your acne is and what you do between treatments to care for your skin.

Jen also applied a medicated mask to cleanse and purify my skin using salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps unclog pores to resolve and prevent lesions. She also applied vitamin serums to heal the skin. Possibly Jen applied topical antibiotics, too, although I am not certain of this.

I believe the acne facial treatment took an hour in addition to the consult. Jen suggested that I do another medical facial in two weeks.

Jen discussed a skin care regimen and products that were appropriate for me. I was happy to follow her expert advice rather than be left on my own. I was able to buy the products right at Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery, which I found very convenient and the prices were the same as what I'd pay elsewhere.

What follows is my skin care regimen:

I remove the first layer of makeup with a facial cleansing cloth. A good product that I have found for removing eye liner and mascara is SEN'S EYES by Make Up For Ever available only at Sephora.

Jen recommended that I clean my skin with the CLEANSING COMPLEX by iS Clinical. iS Clinical products are only available through a physician's practice or online retailer. Beware of online retailers who claim to sell iS Clinical products as they are fakes! Be sure to find an iS Clinical Authorized Retailer on the iS Clinical website. According to iS Clinical, the CLEANSING COMPLEX is "...clear, lightweight cleansing gel is powerful, yet gentle enough for hypersensitive skin."

Jen told me to apply ACNE GEL by PCA Skin onto my clean skin. According to the product website, where you also can order the ACNE GEL, it is "a salicylic acid acne treatment that clears existing blemishes and prevents future breakouts."

Jen recommended that 3 nights per week I do a good facial exfoliation. One product that she recommends is SUGA SUGA WOO WOO by Pristine Beauty. Don't let the silly product name or packaging turn you off to this great product. I love the way that my skin looks and feels after use. According to the product website where you also can buy the product, "This facial polish is an innovative formula for all skin types which exfoliates and hydrates the skin instantly, revealing a softer, smoother and more radiant complexion."

Jen also recommended that I use Dr. Winslow's Nightly Renewal Cream 3 nights per week. This is a .05% Trentinoin Hyaluronic Acid, Kojic Acid that is formulated at Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery.