Acne . A four-letter word like any other. Many people have suffered through it, and many others are still dealing with occasional breakouts. Anyone who has ever dealt with acne is aware of the struggle to find an effective treatment. The solutions advertised on television hardly ever work, which can leave a person feeling helpless against an unbeatable foe. However, whether you’re currently fighting acne, or are looking for a way to get rid of the scars left behind, there’s a way to beat it.
How To Prevent Acne
There are methods to minimize your chance of developing breakouts and blemishes. While they are less likely to occur during adulthood, they can still happen on occasion. The last thing anyone wants before a big event, such as a wedding, interview, or presentation, is to have a pimple appear.Here are some things that you can do to help keep the acne away:
- Don’t over wash or scrub too hard. It may sound counter intuitive, but dirt doesn’t actually cause acne. Excessive scrubbing can cause irritation and dry out your skin. Limit yourself to once in the morning and once at night.
- Don’t use products containing alcohol. High concentrations of alcohol can strip away the top layer of your skin and cause your face to become oily. These products can often lead to even more blemishes.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet . When you put good things into your body, it will return the favor. If you’ve noticed that your skin reacts badly with certain foods, avoid them!
- Exercise. Sweating can actually help to unclog your pores and eliminate bacteria that may cause acne or blackheads.
- Sleep. Your body needs sleep to maintain healthy skin. Just don’t forget to wash off your makeup before bed!
- Quit smoking. Smoking has been linked to accelerated aging and unhealthy-looking skin. Smokers often experience more breakouts than nonsmokers.
Still Facing Acne Breakouts?
Don’t worry, it’s completely normal. Adult acne affects many men and women. Some even experience their first encounter with acne in their twenties and thirties. Struggling with breakouts as a teenager often leads to plenty of embarrassment and a negative self-image. Adult acne is no easier, as it can also influence the way you interact with others as well as your self-confidence.Treating your acne begins with setting up a combination of products designed specifically for your skin. Our skin expert can come up with a specialized treatment plan for your acne by evaluating your skin type and the severity of your acne.Effective treatment of your acne will consist of combination of any of the following:
- Cleansing
- Benzoil peroxide
- Retinoids
- Topical antibiotics and antibacterials
- Oral antibiotics
- Oral contraceptives
- Spironolactone
- Accutane
- Phototherapy
- Cortisone injections
- Adjunctive treatments
Learn more about what each point consists of by clicking here
How to Avoid Acne Scars
When you wake up, only to look in the mirror to find a new pimple, you may have the urge to pick or poke it in a desperate attempt to get rid of it — DON’T DO IT! This can lead to a discolored scar or mark down the road. Before you do anything, here are four things to keep in mind to help avoid acne scars.1. Avoid anything that can irritate your skin (aggressive scrubbing, skin care products containing alcohol, rough exfoliating scrubs).2. Avoid the urge to squeeze, pick, or pop pimples.3. Treat your acne as soon as possible.
Acne Scars vs. Acne Marks
The difference between acne scars and acne marks is that scars are deep indentations that appear dark red or purple. Unlike acne marks which are usually a light red and fade over time, acne scars require special treatment to eliminate.
No More Acne Scars
Even as we get older, many of us are still followed by a constant reminder of our awkward teen years – those scars and pock marks never seem to fully go away. Acne continues to haunt, even once the blemishes are gone, in the form of discoloration, pock marks, and light indentations. While avoiding scratching and poking may help avoid scarring, if it’s already too late, the marks can be difficult to eliminate or cover.There are a few non-surgical treatments that can help improve the appearance of your skin by making the marks disappear. These treatments include:
- Chemical peels
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photorejuvenation | Fotofacial
- FX Laser Resurfacing
- Dermal Fillers
Full treatment of your acne will take some time and patience, but the end result will leave you feeling confident and more comfortable in your skin. To begin your own acne treatment plan, click the button below to speak with our skin expert at Northwest Face & Body in Kirkland.http://www.nwface.com/contact-us
