Managing acne flare-ups
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Acne is most associated with teenagers, but anyone can have this affliction at any age. It is unclear exactly what brings about acne, but it is brought on by stress, hormones, and skin irritations. Sometimes acne doesn’t occur in a spot or two, but in a concentrated area otherwise known as a “breakout.” Fortunately, there are means to treat such a condition. It will not go away overnight, but by treating mild and moderate breakouts gently, you will look better soon.
How to get rid of a breakout
A look at how to treat, care and conceal a breakout
Preventing Breakouts
Freshen up your diet. A low-glycemic diet can reduce inflammation, which can add to your acne. While eating greasy food will not cause acne, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables with lots vitamin A can improve your complexion.Reduce the stress. While stress itself doesn’t cause acne, it can start a more noticeable breakout. Find calming things to do on a regular. Meditation, exercise, or reading are great things to add to your schedule.
- Stressing about acne can worsen it. Not only can your mental state aggravate acne, too much aggressive acne treatment like scrubbing, or using harsh chemicals can also exacerbate the problem.
- Typically, you will be the only one who notices your own acne. Others won’t scrutinize your skin as much as you do.
- Use your acne regimen as a chance to relax and look after yourself. Washing, drying, and applying a smoothing moisturizer on your face can help you feel a lot better. It can be a soothing ritual in your day. Slow down and enjoy it.
- A typical breakout will resolve itself in a few days, even if it is left untreated.
- If you begin a new sport or you like to exercise, wear loose fitting clothing so that your skin does not come into prolonged contact with sweat. Also, shower as soon as possible afterward so that the oil and bacteria doesn’t sit too long on your skin.
Warnings : Avoid applying an acne treatment right before a big event. Most medications need some weeks to really work, and you might have an adverse reaction to a new product. Use benzoyl peroxide with caution. It’s harsh, so applying too much too often can cause dry skin. It can also fade your textiles, so use it cautiously. If you have serious acne, nodules, or cysts, go to a dermatologist. They can write a prescription to handle the breakout.
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Treating the acne breakout
Wash your face, gently. Remove any makeup you may have on first, with makeup removing wipes or solution. Use clean hands rather than a washcloth, which can chafe your skin and clean with a gentle cleanser. Use warm water, as hot water can dry out and redden your skin. Cold water will close up your pores.
- You should cleanse your face twice a day, preferably once in the morning and again at night to clean up makeup. Avoid cleaning your breakout too much, as it can irritate your skin and worsen acne.
- Use a gentle cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide. The benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria that cause acne. It is present in many over-the-counter face cleansers at pharmacies, grocery stores, and beauty stores.
- Use a very soft towel to pat your face dry carefully. Do not rub a towel over your skin.
Apply a toner with salicylic acid after your drying your face. Pour some toner onto a cotton swab and lightly wipe it over your face. Salicylic acid will lessen redness and inflammation. You can purchase toner with salicylic acid wherever cosmetics are soldSpot treat acne with benzoyl peroxide. In addition to cleansers, benzoyl peroxide can be used as a spot treatment. Pour a bit of the benzoyl directly on your pimples. This can hasten the healing process, although you may experience some irritation while it heals.Put a non-comedogenic moisturizer on your face. Once your toner dries, softly apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Non-comedogenic means that it is designed not to clog pores. This should be marked on the label.Wear a sunscreen containing zinc oxide. Put on the sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outdoors. The sunscreen will shield your skin from the sun, and the zinc can kill the bacteria that might add to your acne.Try a home remedy. You may decide to look at your kitchen before buying acne treatments. While many lack scientific backing, a lot of people claim they help get rid of breakouts.
- As with any acne treatment, monitor your skin for signs of irritation after attempting any new treatment.
- Lemon juice is a popular choice. Simply dab your spots with a cotton ball soaked in some lemon juice. Let it sit for thirty minutes, then rinse off with cold water. Lemon juice acts as a disinfectant that can kill the acne-causing bacteria. It is a natural exfoliant and can lighten the epidermis which can cover inflammation from blemishes.
- Honey is valued for its antiseptic and antibacterial characteristics. While you can use it directly on the skin, let it sit, and then rinse off with some water, you can also make a herbal honey facial mask. Mix honey with milk, applesauce, yogurt, aloe vera, or egg white and apply it to your skin. Let it sit and then rinse off with water.
- Avoid using toothpaste too often as it can actually trigger more pimples and cause allergic reactions. Furthermore, you should avoid using crushed aspirin a lot, since it could also irritate your skin.
Apply a commercial topical treatment. Most stores that have health and beauty products also have acne treatments. General ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil. Pay close regard to how your skin responds and stop use if you see any inflammation, irritation, or dryness.
- Benzoyl Peroxide kills bacteria that can trigger acne, but it may take about four weeks to see results. Salicylic Acid can unclog pores and lessen redness or swelling. It also requires time and continuous use. Tea Tree Oil is a milder way of eliminating acne-causing bacteria. Be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil before applying.
- Moderate acne will need a combination of treatments. If your acne doesn’t begin clearing up after six weeks, you may require a prescription for a systemic treatment.
- Usually, it boils down to trial and error.
- In general, it’s best to try a product with a lower percentage of active ingredient, rather than one with a higher percentage. The more the active ingredient, the more likely the product will be drying, cause irritation, or other reactions.
Consult a medical professional like a dermatologist. If over-the-counter (OTC) treatments aren’t enough, you can see a medical professional, like your general physician or a dermatologist. A general practitioner may rule out other conditions that can be mixed up with acne, look at your overall plan, and prescribe medication like antibiotics or Retin-A. Dermatologists are experts in healing skin conditions, and can also be valuable in coming up with the right course of treatment for you.
- Oral medication is often prescribed by a dermatologist and includes antibiotics, retinoids or vitamin A derivatives, and oral contraceptives (for females). Oral treatments are used to treat moderate to severe acne and can have pronounced side effects.
- Antibiotics are prescribed to treat the swelling of severe acne. Most oral meds are prescribed for less than six months since they will gradually lose their effectiveness. Thus, oral antibiotics are often used in conjunction with other treatments that focus on the cause of your acne. Examples include tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline.
- Oral retinoids or vitamin A derivatives are kept for the most severe acne cases that do not respond to other treatment. Some side effects of Isotretinoin include increased risk of depression, suicidal tendencies, and inflammatory bowel disease. Isotretinoin should not be taken by pregnant, nursing or women not using contraception due to the risk of severe congenital disabilities.
- Oral contraceptives can only be given to women because they contain “female” hormones that balance “male” hormones that can cause acne. (Both males and females have these hormones, but an imbalance can result in acne). Although it is uncommon, some side effects can be seen, and in some cases, treatment must be allowed by your gynecologist. As with oral antibiotics, these oral contraceptives will only be effective for some months before gradually losing their potency.
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Hiding the breakout and caring for your skin
Rub some ice cubes over spots to decrease swelling and redness. Be sure to put the ice in a soft paper towel to avoid making a mess and hold it in place for about a minute or two.You can cover up the blemishes. Applying an oil-free and non-comedogenic concealer will provide enough coverage to mask the breakout. Be sure it is matches your skin tone so as not to be noticeable. You can find a concealer with salicylic acid. Gently blend the concealer into the surrounding area so that the makeup is less obvious.
- If you can, avoid using makeup during a breakout. It tends to clog your pores, even if it is sold as non-comedogenic. This can help you to heal faster and prevent further agitation from the fragrance, oil, and chemicals in makeup.
- If you cannot avoid using make-up, try to take it off as soon as possible. Using soap and water may not be sufficient, try using a make-up remover. Be gentle when washing your face and be sure to remove every trace of the makeup. Do this daily to help your skin heal. Be sure to rinse off the cleanser properly.
Use a powder to set the concealer. This should be evenly applied to your face for even tone. Keep your makeup as minimal as possible during a breakout.Clean things that touch with your face. Makeup brushes should be well cleaned, and air dried weekly to prevent bacteria growth. Change your pillowcases weekly since oil from your face and hair will build up on it. Frequently clean your cell phone with disinfecting wipes as it is in direct contact with your skin.
