‘I am a teenager and my recently-erupted acne has made me extremely conscious about myself. I have stopped going out ever since.’
While visible skin lesions like acne might not pose a serious physical health risk, they can take a toll on your self-esteem and mental health instead.
The best practice is to learn to prevent breakouts before they occur to manage acne effectively. Receiving consultation from the Best Dermatologist in Karachi can reiterate the effect of your conventional efforts and help medically cure the recurrent skin issues as well.
Here is a quick overview of what can trigger your acne and all that you can do to keep it under control.
Why do I get acne?
Acne is a highly prevalent skin condition that affects approximately 85% of people aged 12 to 24. It is an inflammatory skin reaction precipitated as a result of:
- Hormonal imbalance leading to excess oil secretion
- Bacterial invasion
- Plugged hair follicles
- Genetic predisposition
- Polluted environment, etc.
A quick guide to beating acne naturally
1. Wash your face regularly
Keeping your face clean is the most vital step to avert breakouts. A long day under the sun, at school, or work can expose your skin to environmental pollutants and pathogens. If you do not thoroughly wash off the dirt or pre-existing makeup on the face, it can lead to clogging of pores thereby instigating an inflammatory reaction.
You can incorporate an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide face cleanser for regular use. However, you must make sure to carry out a skin patch test before its application on the face as it is associated with a rare adverse effect of atopic contact dermatitis.
2. Warm water
Make use of lukewarm water to rinse your face. The extremes of temperature can be harsh on your skin.
3. Moisturize
You must moisturize your skin after every wash with fragrance-free and non-comedogenic products as they are best suited for acne-prone skin.
4. Hydration
Keep yourself well-hydrated as dehydration can impart a dull appearance while also promoting irritation and redness.
5. Eat healthy
Skincare routines can only yield favorable outcomes if there is concomitant dietary modification. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that cutting down on sugar and carbohydrates intake can reduce breakouts.
6. Get rid of the sweat
Sweat tends to carry bacteria that can potentially trigger your acne hence it is highly advised that you wash your face after every time you go out or take a bath after a workout session.
7. Avoid exfoliating tools
Acne-prone skin is already a victim of excessive oil production. Scrubbing your face using facial tools can deprive you of the natural oils of the skin as well, which can stimulate an exaggerated oil production to replenish it. Usage of such tools can also scrape off your acne bumps leaving behind scars.
8. Limit sun exposure
Sun exposure tends to dehydrate the skin, leading to increased oil generation and plugged pores over time. Hence, it is important to apply a fragrance-free and non-comedogenic sunscreen to ward off the sun rays and their probable adversity.
9. Be stress-free
Studies have shown a strong correlation between stress and breakouts. Manage it with meditation and yoga practices.
10. Do not pick your pimples
It will only worsen your acne and lead to bleeding, infection, or scarring.
If these remedies do not rescue you from the recurrent attacks of acne, you are recommended to reach out to a Dermatologist in Islamabad for proper medical treatment.
