Acne is a common skin condition affecting millions of people worldwide, regardless of age, gender, and skin color. Everybody who has experienced it understands how this dramatically affects their lifestyle. While mild cases can usually be managed with topical treatments, severe acne might need special attention from a dermatologist or other qualified skin professional for proper treatment.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition 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 combines with dead skin cells to block pores, which results in infection of the surrounding area.
Acne can lead to inflammation, acne lesions, blackheads, cysts, whiteheads, and nodules.
Other reasons for acne include:
- Hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy
- 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
Going to a dermatologist is your best bet. They can examine any hidden 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 appropriate medications to adjust your hormone levels accordingly. They might also recommend oral or topical medications to minimize inflammation and bacterial growth.
Ensure to choose an aesthetic care med spa equipped with advanced technology and materials for addressing acne. Note that some dermatologists only diagnose and prescribe medications but don’t perform advanced cosmetic procedures.
Visit a Professional Esthetician
Many people 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 procedures such as IPL treatment for wrinkles and acne, chemical peels, etc. In many 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 essential for treating acne. This helps remove excess oil, dirt, and bacteria from the skin’s surface. Avoid scrubbing too hard since this might further aggravate 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 to minimize acne breakouts and keep your skin healthy is necessary. As mentioned, wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day, apply an oil-free moisturizer after washing, and use sun protection of SPF 30 or higher throughout the day.
It also helps to use products specifically designed for acne-prone skin and prevent 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 cause acne, it increases cortisol levels which can worsen flare-ups. Similarly, consuming a 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 worsen acne. These include:
- White rice
- White bread
- Potatoes
Avoid Too Much Sun Exposure
While some think the sun can enhance acne since it can dry up some of the oil, it can further inflame the skin. It can also cause hyperpigmentation and worsen existing blemishes. To lower your possibility 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
Squeezing or picking on pimples can cause infection, scabbing, scarring, and other issues. Instead, use gentle extractions from a qualified esthetician for better results.
Avoid Harsh Products
Some harsh products have 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 professionals but will be in a much lower concentration. Also, they are highly trained and use cutting-edge equipment to minimize any risk of harm or irritation.
Avoid Inappropriate Treatments
Numerous spa clinics offer complete cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels, lasers, cellulite reduction therapy, and more. While it’s a breath of fresh air to have these services available whenever you require them, they might not be the correct treatment for you. You may see here to learn more about cellulite reduction.
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 problematic, 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.
