When your hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells and sebum, it causes a skin condition known as acne. It can affect anyone irrespective of age, but it’s common among teenagers during their puberty. People who experience this skin condition know how distressing it can feel. And with millions of products claiming to cure acne and pimple problems in the market, it can be overwhelming.
Finding out which acne treatment can help you to combat acne effectively can be a daunting task. Trying out different skincare routines and constantly failing can also be contributing to that persistent breakout. Thankfully for you, we’ve compiled a well-curated post on the leading causes of acne and the most effective treatment. Read on!
Causes of Acne and Pimples
The significant factors that can trigger acne include; clogged hair follicles, excess secretion of sebum oil, inflammation, and bacteria. When your pores get obstructed by all these factors, it results in an acne breakout. Some people manage to keep acne away by cleansing and exfoliating their skin regularly, while others will need acne treatment.
- Hormonal Fluctuation: Fluctuating hormone levels happen to be the leading cause of acne because of progesterone production. It also occurs on the other side of the pond, as male hormones (androgens) can increase sebum production. Hormonal fluctuation causes acne in both men and women, creating painful acne on your face, neck, chin, and back. The pockets of pus can be difficult to treat, and they leave scars, particularly if you pop them up. Most people experience the break out associated with the hormonal fluctuation at some point in their lives, including; ovulation, pregnancy, and menopause. For teenagers, it happens during puberty because the sebaceous glands enlarge, making more sebum oil.
- Heredity: You’re susceptible to adult acne if you have a relative who had an acne problem. The genetic factor plays a significant role; it may be the size of your pores. If you understand the root of this problem, you’ll be in a better position to get acne treatment that can effectively treat this skin condition.
- Stress and Anxiety: If you’re under pressure, your adrenal glands release stress hormone (cortisol). It’s an important compound that regulates the digestive system, immune system, and neurological system. This stress hormone can fluctuate over time, causing a problem with the bodily process, including your skin. It creates a conducive environment for bacterial inflammatory acne. It would be best if you understood that stress alone does not cause acne.
- Pollution: The UV radiation and dirt play a significant role on your skin, as the grime on your face may clog up your pores. Exposing your skin to UV exposure intensifies your risk for premature skin aging, such as fine lines and skin discoloration. It can also dry out your skin, causing excess sebum production and replacing the lost natural oils. Finding an effective acne treatment can be valuable. And also, cleansing your skin and using sunscreen can help protect your skin, keeping it healthy.
- Underlying Health Condition: It’s essential to understand the cause of your acne break out because you could be having underlying issues of the health disorder. Hormone-related disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome can result in acne problems. Also, if you’re under certain medications like androgens, lithium, or corticosteroids, you’re likely to experience acne problems. Consult with a dermatologist to find out if they can do something if you’re on those drugs.
Acne Treatment
Your doctor can guide you through the best acne treatment for your acne problem, depending on its cause. The most effective drugs with proven results include; antibiotics benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and hormone therapy. Based on the severity of your acne, you may use one or two different types of acne treatment. It can come in oral pills, topical medication, cleansers, or even moisturizer form.
Hormone Therapy: If your acne issue came from hormonal fluctuation, this therapy might be valuable to you. It’s available as an oral or topical for both genders.
Antibiotics: For optimal results, you can combine antibiotics with either retinoids or benzoyl peroxide to achieve perfect acne treatment. You have a choice to use topical or oral (tetracycline) medication to regulate bacteria and decrease skin inflammation.
Benzoyl Peroxide: The drug targets the surface bacteria, and you can get it by prescription or over-the-counter from your local drugstore.
Retinoids: It’s effective in treating inflamed skin lesions, big pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. You may experience skin irritation and dryness, and also you risk getting sunburn. It would be best if you used this acne treatment by prescription only.
How to Prevent Acne
- Please use a soft clean cloth to wash your face gently to avoid making the acne worse.
- Ensure that your hair products do not come into contact with your forehead.
- Avoid popping up spots and keep your hands off your face.
- Please stay away from heavy make-up as it can cause a flare-up.
- Use a cleanser formulated for acne and pimple problems. If they contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, they will clear the acne, leaving you with clean skin.
- A light, non-comedogenic moisturizer will be an excellent choice as it won’t irritate acne.
In Conclusion, acne problems can make you feel down, causing low self-esteem. It can affect your social life because you don’t want people to see your acne and pimple-infested skin. Acne treatment can effectively combat this problem, leaving you with healthier and vibrant skin. Go ahead and schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist today to seek medical attention.