Photo: Paula Chiarino
health

A complete guide to treating acne in Japan

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By PAULA CHIARINO

Has your skin suffered during the pandemic, too? For many, maskne — acne developed from the use of masks — has become a serious issue. And now that masks are here to stay, it’s time to address it.

Even before masks damaged our skin barrier to protect us from a deadly virus, acne was already a widespread affliction with no single cure. If you’ve had skin troubles over the past months, there are treatments available.

Breakouts may become more serious, difficult to clear and leave scars if left untreated. Here are some of the options for treating acne in Japan.

Waking up to a pimple: drugstore skincare

Pimples appear at inconvenient times. To get rid of a pimple fast, you could head to the drugstore. Go past the miraculous serums and patches that falsely promise to make your pimple disappear in a few hours, and head to the pharmacy area instead. There, next to the plethora of topical ointments for skin dryness and itchiness, you’ll find a somewhat limited array of products for acne.

The products available, however, are generally formulated with effective ingredients proven to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and prevent infection, such as ibuprofen piconol, resorcinol and isopropyl methylphenol.

Do these sound strangely unfamiliar? These ingredients are not commonly found in most over-the-counter skin care products overseas, while Western favorites like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are usually not included in Japanese products. However, all of them do the trick.

While drugstore skin care may help you get an occasional pimple under control, more serious or persistent cases require care from professionals.

When in doubt: visit a dermatologist

After a few breakouts, over-the-counter products may begin to fall short. Perhaps you notice that the affected area has expanded, or you feel that the product you’re using simply may not be what you need. You may start to wonder whether it’s just a rash, a hormonal breakout or something more serious.

It’s time for a doctor’s diagnosis. A visit to the dermatologist can also be a good time to get your yearly skin check-up for moles and dark spots.

Click here to read more.

© Savvy Tokyo

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

5 Comments
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Rule number one and usually the first thing a dermatologist will tell you. Do not use harsh cleansers, or over cleanse your skin. You skin will get too dry and can lead to more spots and skin infections. The beauty industry encourages everyone to over cleanse to sell their products. Those cleansing wipes are the absolute worst thing for your skin.

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Drink water. Get enough sleep. Good diet.

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