Have you ever woken up with blisters or a painful pimple on your face? It is horrible, but remember, you are not alone. 85% of people worldwide experience acne breakouts early or late in their lives. The age at which these breakouts appear can vary from 14 to 34, but they are equally distressing at any age.
A specialized care routine and a wise selection of daily care products can help reduce the blemishes. Let’s find out how we can manage this stressful skin condition.
Different types of acne
Acne is a skin condition that develops when the sebaceous glands start producing excess oil. Dust, debris, and dead skin cells clog these pores, resulting in inflammation and infection. Treatment and management of acne breakouts depend on the type and appearance of the breakouts. Therefore, it is necessary to know its different types. Here are a few of them:
Blackheads
The accumulation of oil and dead skin cells in the roots of hair follicles results in wide, open pores that appear black. Their black color is due to the reaction of debris with oxygen. Blackheads usually appear flat on the skin.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are tiny white bumps that appear on the skin’s surface. At the top, oil and dead skin cells build up and clog pores. The skin appears uneven and rough as a result.
Pimples
Pimples develop when a bacterial infection clogs the pore, resulting in inflammation beneath the skin. Tender, flesh-colored lesions that can cover the face or body. These bumps are irritating and painful.
Abscess or cyst
A pus-filled pimple is called an abscess or cyst. Found inside the skin, with a visible white center. Popping these spots is contagious and can spread all over the body.
Nodules
Stiff and red lesions that appear under the skin Sore and painful to the touch. This kind of acne is very complicated and needs proper medical treatment; otherwise, it can leave scars.
Acne can leave lifelong scars and dark spots that result in lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
Causes of acne breakouts
Multiple internal and external factors can contribute to acne breakouts. Root cause analysis is essential for knowing the underlying cause and handling breakouts accordingly. Most frequently, oil or dust clogging of the pores causes acne to form. The following are a few of the most typical causes of acne:
- Hormonal changes are the main reason for acne. Especially during puberty, when androgen hormones are produced in excess. It causes the sebaceous glands to enlarge, resulting in more oil production. Thus, teen kids tend to have more breakouts than any other age group.
- PCOS and pregnancy cause acne in women of all ages. Endocrine disruption is the reason for developing acne during PCOS, resulting in excess oil production.
- Genetics plays a vital role. You are more likely to develop acne if any of your parents have it.
- Stress and lack of sleep are not responsible for acne breakouts, but they can intensify the symptoms. You should get 8 hours of proper sleep and avoid stress.
- Consuming certain kinds of food can cause or aggravate acne. Dermatologists suggest avoiding dairy products and foods with a high glycemic index (that increase blood sugar levels) during acne treatment.
Our recommended acne care routine
You should be gentle with your skin if healthy, acne-free skin is your goal. Following a specialized skincare routine with targeted products reduces the risk of acne breakouts.
- Do not wash your face too often. Washing twice daily with a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser or facewash is enough.
- Do not rub your face too harshly; pat it dry with a clean towel. Touching your face too often turns it red and itchy. A person must have a separate towel so the infection does not spread to other people.
- Apply moisturizer twice a day. Choose a product specially made for sensitive skin. Moisturizers help soothe and hydrate dry skin, which otherwise can develop scaly patches.
- Toners and astringents close the pores, but they can dry out the skin, which irritates. Alcohol-based toners can cause red, itchy patches on the skin.
- Keep tapping your face gently after sweating. Be gentle with your skin; otherwise, it will irritate. Sweating provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth, which can further enhance your blemishes.
- Always wear sunscreen before going out. UV rays can irritate and cause redness. Wear sun-protective clothing and cover yourself all over.
- Oil-based beauty products are not for sensitive skin. They react with skin bacteria, causing acne breakouts. One should purchase products labeled oil free. Water-based products are available on the market and are suitable for acne-prone skin.
- Avoid sharing makeup brushes and tools. Brushes and tools are contagious and can flare up infections on acne-prone skin.
- Shampoo your hair regularly. Oil from the scalp of your head aids in acne breakouts on your face and forehand. Style your hair away from your face and avoid using headbands.
- Do not touch or pop the pimple. Touching it too often causes inflammation, which worsens the appearance. It slows down the healing process and leaves dark scars.
- Apply the acne treatment all over the face instead of just applying it to spots. It will help reduce the risk of breakouts in the future.
The Final Note
Acne is a complicated skin infection. Treating acne breakouts and removing their scars takes a lot of effort, time, and patience. One must visit a dermatologist in the case of multiple breakouts because they never go away on their own. Beauty products with retinoids and salicylic acid are available on the market, which help manage acne in daily routines. Good Luck!
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