Roberto Cavalli Fall 2016 Ready-to-Wear
Photo: James Cochrane
The endless quest for a clear, flawless complexion has resulted in a multibillion dollar skincare industry, offering a range of comprehensive products and treatments that promise to do everything from banishing breakouts to fading post-acne scars. But what do you do when a topical serum isn’t enough for long-lasting blemishes? “Cystic acne consists of hard, painful bumps and blemishes that develop deep within the skin, often appearing on the chin or jaw line and lingering for weeks,” says beauty therapist Rebecca Treston, founder of Rebecca Treston Aesthetics at Euromed Clinic in Dubai. Whether chronic or intermittent, it’s no coincidence that the painful, hard-to-defeat breakouts always tend to appear at the most inconvenient times. Often triggered by stress, cystic acne can be one of the hardest forms to treat, and can take up to weeks to resolve. Fortunately, there is an under-the-radar skin fix that is much more effective than any blemish-shrinking cream.
Known as a hydrocortisone shot (or a steroid shot), costing between US $50-75 (AED/SAR 184-275), the treatment can “make any blemish disappear within 48-72 hours,” claims Treston. “One shot instantly speeds up healing and dramatically reduces inflammation, redness and size,” she explains. Additionally, Dr. Walid Alghamdi, dermatologist and laser specialist at Adama Healthcare Clinic in Riyadh, states that the injection instantly eases any itching. Treston advises that the derm-administered injections should be saved for an “emergency,” and are not meant to be used on a regular basis. “There can be potential side effects with everyday use,” explains Treston, listing skin atrophy and scarring as possible negative outcomes.
Click here to find out what’s missing from your skincare routine.
