Acne is a common complaint among teenagers, appearing in any part of the body where there are pores, but mainly on the face, back, and neck. However, despite acne being highly prevalent in teenagers, it can occur in people of all ages. And even though there is a strong genetic basis for acne, breakouts can also be caused by continued use of pore-clogging skin products.
Risk Factors for Acne Breakouts
Before we look at acne treatment options, it is essential to first look at what triggers its emergence. It’s a common belief among many people that an over-indulgence in unhealthy foods, such as French fries and chocolate, leads to acne breakouts. However, there is currently little scientific evidence to help back up these specific claims. Nonetheless, we do know that there are several risk factors for acne development, including:
• Having parents who suffered from the condition
• Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy or puberty
• Indulging in a diet that is rich in carbohydrates and refined sugars
• Taking certain medications, for example, some types of corticosteroids
Most people are at risk of developing acne during puberty. Hormonal changes occurring during this time can trigger increased oil production, which then increases the chances of developing acne.
Tips for Stopping Acne Breakouts
Having looked at the trigger factors, lets now look at acne treatment and how to prevent breakouts:
1. Wash Your Face Twice Every Day
Contrary to societal beliefs, acne is rarely caused by the presence of dirt and debris on the face. Nevertheless, it is important to ensure that you remove excess oil and dirt from the surface of your skin. You can do this by washing your face two times each day using warm water and a mild cleanser. Make sure to apply an oil-free moisturizer after you have washed and dried your face. If your skin is too dry, this may trigger the production of excess sebum, which can actually make your skin oily – the moisturizer will help prevent this.
Do not wash your face more than two times each day, as over-washing causes it to dry, and this can aggravate the pimples.
2. Don’t Scrub Too Hard
Some people use washcloths and cloth pads to scrub the skin surface in an attempt to get rid of all accumulated dirt. However, scrubbing too hard can not only irritate your skin but also leads to inflammation. A combination of the two can only serve to worsen your acne breakout.
You can stop the development of pimples by using a soft brush and a gentle cleanser on your face.
3. Ensure Your Hair Is Clean
Excess hair oil should never reach your skin. It will cause your acne to worsen when it comes into contact with it. A good way to prevent regular acne breakouts is to wash your hair on a daily basis, and pay closer attention to your hairline region.
Additionally, ensure that hair products such as hairsprays and gels do not come into contact with your face. They can easily clog your pores and cause an acne breakout.
4. Refrain from Picking or Popping Pimples
It is tempting to want to squeeze the pimples, but if you want the acne to go away, you must avoid this temptation. Picking at pimples or popping them can lead to scarring and inflammation.
To get rid of any blemishes, opt to use a topical treatment instead. While this treatment will likely take a few weeks to start working, it does prevent the formation of new acne pimples.
5. Application of Topical Treatments
There are several over-the-counter acne treatments that you can use to reduce the severity and frequency of acne breakouts. These creams and serums are particularly helpful when pimples concentrate on a single area.
Problem areas typically include the forehead, nose, and chin.
6. Apply Sunscreen When Going Outdoors
Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin. Dermatologists have also established that sunburn can cause skin to overproduce its natural oils. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of an acne breakout.
To protect yourself, apply some sunscreen when going outside. Choose a sunscreen that has a protection factor of at least 15. It will assist in preventing exacerbated acne and sunburn.
