Acne and Other Blemishes

Let’s make one thing clear… your skin.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when oil and dead cells block the follicles found on our skin. These follicles then become inflamed which, for many people, leads to whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and red, blotchy skin. And although acne is frequently seen in teenagers, it can affect individuals of all ages.

Many patients seek acne treatment as these blemishes can severely impact the texture and tone of their skin. Addressing these concerns not only gives the skin a healthier, more radiant appearance, but it also allows many patients to reduce the use of makeup and other coverage products.

What causes acne and other blemishes?

The skin naturally generates sebum (oil), which is crucial for maintaining hydration. However, when the skin produces too much sebum, it can trap dead skin cells and impurities inside the pores, leading to blockages. If these clogged pores are open, the impurities inside are exposed to air and oxidize, turning a dark brown, black, or gray color, resulting in blackheads. If they’re closed off by a thin layer of skin they remain white, causing whiteheads. If bacteria is present, the body’s immune response produces pus and surrounding redness.

What’s the difference between whiteheads, blackheads and pimples?

When discussing skin concerns that relate to acne, there are many different terms used. So, let’s take a closer look at the difference between whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. 

Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are a type of clogged pore that appear dark due to a process called oxidation. These form when hair follicles get blocked with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. The open pores allow the trapped material to react with air, which turns it black. You’ll often find blackheads in the T-zone of your face (forehead, nose, and chin) and on areas like your back and shoulders.

Whiteheads, or closed comedones, are small, flesh-coloured bumps. They form in a similar way to blackheads, with hair follicles getting clogged with oil and dead skin cells. However, unlike blackheads, whiteheads have only a tiny opening at the surface, preventing air from getting in. This means the material inside doesn’t undergo oxidation and stays white. You can usually spot whiteheads on your face, back, and shoulders.

Pimples are the inflamed red or swollen bumps that we often think of when we hear the word "acne." They occur when clogged pores become infected with bacteria, leading to inflammation. Pimples can be filled with pus and can appear almost anywhere on the body, but are most common on the face, back, shoulders, and chest.

What does acne-prone skin look like?

Signs of acne-prone skin include numerous pimples and deeper inflamed lesions spread across large areas of the face, back, or neck. These acne lesions can be raised or situated deep under the skin, accompanied by redness and inflammation. Acne-prone skin is often more sensitive and tender to the touch. A key difference between occasional pimples and acne-prone skin is the persistent nature of the condition; acne-prone skin has long-lasting, persistent, and frequent blemishes.

What is hormonal acne?

Hormonal fluctuations can affect both the amount and thickness of the skin's sebum. Thicker sebum is more prone to clogging hair follicles, which can increase the appearance of acne lesions. This is often seen in those who experience cyclic hormonal changes, like periods.

Hormone-related shifts in sebum production are also why we see a rise in acne during adolescence and changes in the appearance of acne lesions around perimenopause. At Park, we adjust both in-clinic and at-home acne treatments to align with these hormonal changes to help maintain clearer skin, no matter what our hormones are up to.

How can I improve acne and other blemishes on my own?

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help improve your skin. Reducing your intake of sugary and processed foods may also help manage acne.

Diet

Wash your face gently up to twice a day and after sweating. Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser applied with your fingertips. Avoid using washcloths, sponges, or other tools that can irritate your skin.

Maintain clean skin

Use gentle skincare products and avoid products that can irritate your skin, including astringents, toners, and exfoliants. These products can dry your skin and make acne appear worse.

Invest in the right skincare

It sounds a little crazy but the oil from your hair can lead to acne on your forehead. If you have oily hair, shampoo more often and try to keep your hair away from your face.

Wash your hair regularly

Touching your face throughout the day can cause acne to flare up. Resist the temptation to pick, pop, or squeeze blemishes, as this can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of scarring and dark spots.

Avoid touching your face

Along with increasing your risk of sun damage, tanning and/or spending too much time in the sun can damage your skin and worsen acne. Some acne medications can also make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, increasing the risk of skin damage.

Stay out of the sun

Treating acne at Park

As part of your consultation, our team of physicians and nurses will educate and personalize a treatment plan that’s right for you based on your goals, unique facial structure and skin tone. Here’s what we might recommend for acne and other blemishes.

Morpheus8 RF Microneedling

  • One of the most effective ways to treat acne is with Morpheus8, which uses microneedles to deliver radiofrequency energy to the deeper layers of the skin. The microneedles provide resurfacing, breaking up blocked follicles. The radiofrequency heats up the skin, killing bacteria and reducing sebum production.

  • To start, 3 treatments spaced 6 weeks apart.

    To maintain, one treatment every 12 months to keep your skin glowing year-round.

Microneedling

  • Microneedling resurfaces the skin, allowing follicles to drain, leading to more even skin. At Park, we also infuse a specialty serum that moderates sebum production, providing long-lasting reduction in the appearance of acne.

  • To start, 3-6 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

    To maintain, one treatment every 6 months to keep your skin glowing year-round.

PRP

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments at Park are administered using a microneedle injection device, which helps resurface the skin. The platelet-rich plasma includes pro-inflammatory cytokines and other proteins that reduce inflammation in the skin, and growth factors that promote healing and cell growth, helping the body heal from eliminate dead cells and recover from acne-induced inflammation.

  • To start, 3 treatments spaced 6 weeks apart.

    To maintain your results, one treatment every 6 months.

Not sure where to start?

Come see us at 211 Ossington Avenue in Toronto, Ontario.

Your skin is unique and should be treated that way. At Park, we offer 30-minute consultations so that our doctors can learn more about your skin, your concerns and your overall goals. From there, we share our recommendations to ensure you leave our clinic feeling confident and informed about your treatment plan.

Treating acne and other blemishes at home

Here are some products we think you’ll like! Park skincare can be purchased online for pickup or delivery.

Designed for oilier, acne-prone skin, AlphaRet® Clearing Serum features AlphaRet—a patented combination of a retinoid and an alpha hydroxy acid—along with salicylic acid and other skin-soothing ingredients to help reduce the appearance of pores and refine skin texture for healthier-looking skin.

A targeted exfoliating LHA/AHA/BHA cleanser featuring a conditioning surfactant and a 12% concentration of key ingredients combining lipo-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, glycerin, and sorbitol to remove excess oils and makeup, while decongesting pores and brightening skin.

Designed to provide dual exfoliation benefits through both physical and chemical means, this powerful scrub effectively clears breakouts while leaving skin smooth and radiant. Ideal for those with oily skin, it penetrates deep into the pores to reduce surface oil, a common cause of breakouts.