Do You Know What's Been Causing Your Acne?
If you're a part of the 40 to 50 million Americans who are currently experiencing acne, you've probably been looking for the best skin care routine for a while now. But when almost 85% of all people will have acne at some point in their lives, it seems like an easy solution isn't as easy as we'd like to think. But the more you know about acne, the easier it will be to address the specific acne causes of your breakouts, and prevent further ones from causing you unwanted acne scars. Here are just a few things you should know about your acne, and how to treat it.
It could be hormonal
Some people may not realize it, but unresponsive breakouts could be caused by an imbalance in your hormones. The acne causes could be from puberty wreaking havoc on your body's natural hormonal balances, or it could be a reaction to increased levels of stress, which would further unbalance your body's chemistry. Make sure you pay attention to the way that your body responds to certain stimuli, like stress and mood influences, and see a dermatologist for acne if it continues to get worse.
It could be dietary
If you tend to eat a lot of greasy foods, it could be negatively impacting your skin's health. The increased fat content in the food can lead to additional secretion of oils, and to make matters worse, the grease from the food itself can stay on your face and hands, causing more breakouts. To see a clearer complexion, nix the greasy foods, and see how much of an improvement you start to see.
It could be other contaminants
Though acne usually begins in puberty, any age group can develop acne, due to dirt and oils clogging open pores in the skin. Make sure you pay special attention to all things that will be touching your face throughout the day, like your pillowcase, your makeup brushes, and your towels. Keeping things you'll be touching throughout the day clean, like your phone and your keyboard, can also help you avoid additional breakouts in case you end up touching your face. Just remember to never pop your zits, unless you want more acne scars.
Summer Skin Care
Summer is here. This means barbecues, the beach and other outdoor fun. However, rising temperatures, a poor diet and sunscreen can irritate pores and cause oilier skin.
Water’s Edge’s team of acne dermatologists answer questions and provide advice on the best summer skin care for acne prevention.
Is diet important for clear skin? It is not proven that ingesting fried or greasy foods causes acne, according to our acne dermatologists, but oils remaining on the skin can clog the pores. Certain foods may trigger breakouts and should be avoided to prevent flare-ups. A healthy diet and plenty of hydration is recommended to enhance the well-being and look of your skin.
What is the oil on skin? The oil produced on our skin is called sebum and its purpose is to keep the skin from drying out. However, an increase in production may cause breakouts and irritation. Prevent breakouts by minimizing the oil and bacteria on the skin. A regimen can be as simple as washing the face with soap and water. Antibacterial soap like Dial or Cetaphil will reduce the bacteria. Wash immediately after sports and workouts. If oil persists, a toner or benzoyl peroxide product may need to be added.
What kind of skin products should I use?
Clogged pores may need a retinoid. Retinoids, like Retin A Micro, speed up the skin-cell turnover time by putting a light peel on the skin, which prevents pores from clogging. Be careful to choose makeup, moisturizers and sunscreens that don’t clog pores. Check the labels and look for wording like non-comedogenic, non-greasy or oil-free. Products like Cerave and Cetaphil are just two available options. Elta MD and Minus Sol are sunscreens available in our office. A facial is recommended by our cosmetic dermatologists and estheticians, and this service is available in many of our offices. to keep the skin from drying out. However, an increase in production may cause breakouts and irritation. Prevent breakouts by minimizing the oil and bacteria on the skin. A regimen can be as simple as washing the face with soap and water. Antibacterial soap like Dial or Cetaphil will reduce the bacteria. Wash immediately after sports and workouts. If oil persists, a toner or benzoyl peroxide product may need to be added.
Look your best all year! Good skin care is recommended all year. Our desire at the Florida center for dermatology is to help you look great, but protecting your skin from damage and harmful rays is most important. Always moisturize your skin, keep it well hydrated and use protective clothing and sunblock. The skin is our first line of defense and should be protected every day.