Whether you’re experiencing a more traditional acne episode in your teenage years or are suffering through a more unexpected adult acne scenario, a breakout has the power to derail plans and can wreak havoc on an individual’s confidence, whether temporarily or long-term. Growing up with acne can make it difficult for those in their teenage years to break out of their personality shells and open up to others feeling comfortable in their own skin.
As an adult, acne flair-ups can be a point of stress when it interferes with a professional appearance or falls in time with an important social event. The worries surrounding the potential for scarring after a severe breakout only enhance the anxiety surrounding acne overall.
What Causes Acne?
There are a variety of factors that experts point to when trying to determine the multiple causes of acne in both teens and adults. While a primary factor continues to be genetics, others look at an excess of oil production in the skin paired with bacteria buildup, clogged pores in the skin, and a potential release of excessive hormones in the body at certain times in life. While the causes may be vast, the solutions for helping to reduce acne outbreaks are rather straightforward and similar for those suffering from acne of all types and severities. While there are just as many far-fetched solutions circulating when it comes to acne prevention, sometimes it’s the most simple steps that ring true for the majority.
Avoid Touching Your Skin
This takes a little bit of self-discipline, but once you’ve trained your mind and body to work together more efficiently, keeping your hands away from those areas of the body that are prone to acne breakouts will prove to be highly successful! Hands inherently carry a large number of germs that have been acquired throughout the day performing routine tasks, working on keyboards, or even shaking hands with others. As a result, every touch of your hands on your own skin has the potential to lead to a buildup of bacteria and germs that can provoke an acne outbreak, particularly those that cluster on the face. Washing your hands more regularly will help reduce the germs on your hands in the event of slip-ups, but if you can avoid that physical contact throughout the day—that much better. The same goes for pimple popping. While it may be tempting to deal with those frustrating spots by pinching, this only increases the risk of eruption which creates an opening for germs from the hands to enter more quickly. It also increases the risk associated with scarring and infection.
Sometimes, individuals find that their acne outbreaks occur in part due to touching their own face during sleep. Whether you have a tendency to sleep with your face on your hand or can’t avoid middle of the night scratching, it can be tricky to avoid touching your skin in your sleep. For these individuals, wearing a pair of moisturizing night gloves is a good solution. The fabric works as a barrier between your face and hands while providing a positive moisturizing effect that will be appreciated during the daytime hours.
Cleanse Skin Regularly for Acne Prevention
It may seem simple, but adhering to a strict skin cleansing routine is a great way to help in the prevention of acne breakouts. Consider participating in a plan that allows for washing the face, back, and any other areas prone to breakouts at least twice a day. This helps to clear away bacteria but also promotes healthy pores, removes dead skin cells, and reduces oil that’s congregated on the surface of the skin. Making sure to use a fresh towel to dry skin after cleansing is also important in the fight against unwanted bacteria encounters.
Avoid Irritants and Moisturize
Understanding your body’s reaction to certain products is imperative in the fight against acne breakouts. Those who know they have highly sensitive skin may benefit from switching over to makeup and hair products that are oil-free, chemical-free, and hypoallergenic—all of which are gentler on skin. Follow up cleansing and product application rituals with daily moisturizing as well. Particularly for those that are regularly using acne prevention creams and medication, the skin is particularly prone to drying out or peeling. Applying regular moisture keeps skin hydrated and less likely to allow bacteria to penetrate the surface.
Diet and Exercise
Keeping your skin healthy and strong against those factors that encourage acne includes maintaining a healthy diet and participating in regular exercise. Greasy foods and those high in fat often lead to oily skin that can more quickly clog pores. A diet that’s heavy in vegetables, whole grains, and fruits is likely to lead to clearer and healthier skin.
Contact Our Team Today
Whether you’re struggling with acne and are looking for solutions, or have preventative questions regarding the services we provide, Dr. Wright and his team at the St. Louis Laser Liposuction Center are here to help. Contact us today to learn more or set up an initial consultation.
