Acne is a common skin problem affecting millions of people worldwide, regardless of age, gender, and skin color. Everyone who has experienced it understands how this significantly affects their lifestyle. While mild cases can usually be managed with topical treatments, severe acne might require special attention from a dermatologist or other certified skin professional for appropriate treatment.
What Triggers Acne?
Acne is an inflammatory skin problem with swelling, redness, and pus-filled bumps that vary in severity. It is caused by sebum overproduction, an oily compound released by the skin’s sebaceous glands. This excess oil integrates with dead skin cells to block pores, which results in infection of the surrounding area.
Acne can result in inflammation, acne sores, blackheads, cysts, whiteheads, and nodules.
Other causes of acne include:
- Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation
- Particular medications, such as corticosteroids and lithium
- Genetics
- Stress
- Processed foods and a diet high in refined sugars
What Should You Do to Manage Severe Acne?
Here are tips for managing severe acne:
Seek the Help of an Expert
Visiting a dermatologist is your best bet. They can examine any underlying conditions causing acne breakouts through physical assessments and tests.
For instance, they can determine if you suffer from hormonal imbalance. This allows them to prescribe ideal medications to adjust your hormone levels accordingly. They might also recommend oral or topical medications to decrease inflammation and bacterial growth.
Ensure to choose an aesthetic spa equipped with the newest technology and materials for addressing acne. Note that some dermatologists only diagnose and recommend medications but don’t perform advanced cosmetic treatments.
Visit a Professional Esthetician
Many individuals don’t realize that acne can be managed from the inside out. Professional estheticians can help you learn how to prevent breakouts and manage existing ones.
They can teach you about proper skin care and cleaning techniques. They can also perform treatments such as light therapy for acne, IPL for veins, chemical peels, etc. In most cases, they also have particular products specifically formulated to help with acne.
Practice Good Hygiene
Regularly washing your face two times daily with warm water and a gentle cleanser is important for treating acne. This helps eliminate excess dirt, oil, and bacteria from the skin’s surface. Avoid scrubbing too hard since this may further irritate your skin. Remember to moisturize afterward, as this can help keep the skin hydrated and reduce dryness or flaking.
Follow a Skin Care Regimen
Maintaining a skin-care routine is vital to lessen acne breakouts and keep your skin healthy. As mentioned, wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day, use an oil-free moisturizer after washing, and use sun protection of SPF 30 or higher during the day.
It also helps to use products particularly developed for acne-prone skin and avoid those that contain potent ingredients.
What You Should Avoid
Avoid Aggravating Factors
Be aware of certain factors, such as stress and diet that can worsen acne breakouts. While stress might not directly trigger acne, it increases cortisol levels which can worsen flare-ups. Similarly, consuming a well-balanced diet with fewer processed foods may decrease the risk of breakouts.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), a high-glycemic diet (high in refined sugars and carbs) might aggravate acne. These include:
- White rice
- White bread
- Potatoes
Avoid Too Much Sun Exposure
While some believe the sun can improve acne because it can dry up some of the oil, it can further inflame the skin. It can also cause scarring and hyperpigmentation and worsen existing blemishes. To lower your chances of developing skin damage or burns, always protect yourself by wearing a hat and applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Avoid Picking or Squeezing Your Pimples
Picking or squeezing on pimples can lead to infection, scabbing, scarring, and other complications. Instead, use gentle extractions from an expert esthetician for better results.
Avoid Harsh Products
Some harsh products can contain irritants that can further exacerbate acne breakouts. These include:
- Alcohol
- Astringents
- Abrasives
- Fragrance
- Exfoliants
- Toners
Note that some of these substances can be present in the products or treatments performed by specialists but will be in a much lower concentration. Also, they are highly trained and use cutting-edge equipment to reduce any risk of harm or inflammation.
Avoid Inappropriate Treatments
Numerous spa clinics offer complete cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels, lasers, skin tightening and cellulite reduction. While it’s a breath of fresh air to have these services available whenever you require them, they might not be the appropriate treatment for you.
That’s why you should educate yourself on acne, its causes, and the possible treatments available according to your skin type and condition.
The Bottom Line
Acne can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to take control of your life. You can handle your acne breakouts and restore your confidence with the right treatment plan. Remember to follow a tidy skin care regimen, practice good hygiene, and visit your dermatologist or qualified aesthetician for help.
