Firstly, it is important to have a good skincare regime. For oily skin, it is also important to keep your skin moisturised, or rather hydrated. You should choose moisturisers that are non-comedogenic, light and fast-absorbing and contain humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe and squalane. Avoid those that are heavy and overly oily on the skin and contain ingredients such as mineral oil and petrolatum.
Topical products containing ingredients like tretinoin increase cell turnover and hence reduce congestion and clogging of pores, and products containing AHAs and BHAs help to exfoliate the skin, unclog pores and clear comedones. Products that contain anti-oxidants like Vitamin C are also useful in reducing inflammation on the skin, evening out skin tone and balancing the sebum production and hence reducing comedones.
With regards to aesthetic treatments, the following are useful for oily and acne-prone skin:
1. Chemical Peels
For acne-prone and oily skin types, superficial chemical peels like Alpha Hydroxy Acids(AHAs) are useful in increasing cell turnover to achieve a brighter complexion, reducing PIH and clogged pores. Beta Hydroxy Acids like salicylic acid peels are also very useful for oily, congested, acne-prone skin as they tend to penetrate slightly deeper in oily skin due to its lipophilic nature. Jessner's peel, which combines a few different types of acids and comes in different strengths, is also useful as it combines the strengths and benefits of different acids.
2. LED Light Therapy
Blue LED light therapy is useful to destroy acne-causing bacteria while red LED light therapy helps to reduce inflammation on the skin, reduce sebaceous gland activity, stimulate collagen and promote skin regeneration and healing. Yellow LED light therapy is useful to reduce the redness and swelling.
3. Lasers
Lasers like the long-pulsed 1064nm Nd-Yag laser and Dual yellow copper bromide laser are useful in reducing sebaceous gland activity, resulting in lesser comedones, clogged pores and inflammatory acne. In my practice, I use the Spectra Carbon Laser Peel to break down the debris lodged deep in the pores and the Dual Yellow laser to destroy acne-causing bacteria, shrink sebaceous glands and reduce inflammation on the skin.
4. Microbotox
Diluted botox, when injected intradermally into the skin, can help to reduce oil production, reduce pore size and inflammation, resulting in lesser comedones and inflammatory acne.
In my practice, often a combination therapy approach is used treat oily and acne-prone skin. You should get a proper assessment by a certified and experienced doctor who will be able to come up with a customised treatment plan for you.
