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Acne. It's an evil word and can be debilitating to your confidence. But almost everyone suffers acne at one time or another, so you're not alone. Our guide, how to get rid of acne, will help you take a few steps to clearer skin.
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Step 1: Keeping Clean
- Developing a skincare routine, with carefully chosen products, is the foundation of your treatment plan.
- Wash face twice a day with warm water and a mild cleanser—like one made by Dove or Neutrogena.
- Only wash twice a day. If you wash more often, you'll only be irritating your skin, not washing away acne [1].
- Gently pat dry without rubbing too hard with your towel.
- Look for cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, both of which aim to limit oil production [2]. (Note that these can be drying.)
- Avoid harsh scrubs or astringents, as they may only serve to irritate your skin further [3].
- Be sure to shower after exercise or strenuous physical activity, so oil and bacteria don't remain on (and trapped in) skin [4].
- Remove makeup before bed to keep skin clear; be sure to wash makeup brushes regularly for the same reason!
Understanding Risk Factors
Understanding the factors in your life that may be causing acne can be helpful and reassuring—and some of these factors are under your control.
- If you're a teenager, pregnant woman, woman before her period, or person using cortisone, you are at greater risk for acne because hormonal changes can create acne flareups [1].
- If a member of your family has had acne, you are more likely to develop acne yourself [2]. That doesn't mean there's nothing to do about your acne, but it may help to put things in perspective.
- Certain habits that may be causing acne include holding the phone up to your chin, wearing tight collars that rub against skin [3], or wearing backpacks that may cause friction, which may generate acne on your back [4].
Proactive Steps to Take
- Try applying a topical, over-the-counter acne treatment after washing your face.
- Over the counter treatments you can find at your local drugstore may include these ingredients:
- Benzoyl peroxide: Available in strengths ranging from 2.5% to 10%, this ingredient controls oil but can cause excessive drying. Benzac or Clearisil are products containing benzoyl peroxide.
- Salicylic acid: This ingredient prevents clogged pores and is available in strengths ranging from 0.5 to 2%. Products like Stri-Dex, Clearasil, and Propa pH include salicylic acid.
- Alcohol and/or acetone: These ingredients are often included in cleansers or astringents and can help remove dirt and oil from your skin.
- In order to avoid drying out your skin, apply only enough product to cover the affected areas [1].
- Remember that any acne treatment takes time. It can take 6-8 weeks to see improvement [2].
- Try to use oil-free, water-based moisturizers and makeup [3].
- Also, choose products that are "non-comedogenic" and "non-acnegenic", which should not cause acne or clog pores [4].
- You can try using Visine on individual pimples to take the red out and reduce puffiness [5].
- Try buying a flesh-colored (or tinted) acne medication to cover up blemishes and treat them simultaneously [6].
- For further cover-up, choose an oil-free foundation or concealer and use powder—but in general, try to use as few cosmetics as possible.
- Try wearing breathable cotton clothing or moleskin underneath sporting equipment [7].
- Many acne treatments make your skin more sensitive to sunlight [8], so it's important to use oil-free sunscreen, wear hats, and avoid the sun and tanning booths.
- Finally, understand the myths surrounding acne: acne is not the result of poor hygiene, or eating the wrong foods [9].
Preventive Steps to Take
- There are also things you want to avoid doing to reduce acne.
- Don't overuse treatment products. Applying more of a topical acne treatment will not make acne disappear faster and can irritate or dry out skin instead [1].
- Do not squeeze blemishes yourself—this can make acne worse [2].
- If you are a woman, avoid heavy foundation that may clog pores [3]. Opt instead for powders, as they may be gentler on skin.
- Try to avoid touching your face too much [4].
- Also, keep hair away from skin (try pulling it up and away from the face) and avoid wearing tight clothing or hats that may trap dirt and oil in your skin [5].
- Certain hair products may also contribute to acne [6], so try to avoid applying hair gels and other products too close to your face. Try to shield your face with your hand when spraying hair products or applying anything that might get onto your skin.
- Stress can be a major factor in adult acne [7]. Though easier said than done, it's important to try to build relaxing habits into your daily routine and get enough sleep to ward off pimples eerily reminiscent of high school.
Step 3: Getting a Doctor's Help
- Depending on the severity of your acne, it may be time to seek medical advice.
- If your acne is diminishing your self-esteem, it might be time to seek out a dermatologist who can help alleviate your symptoms.
- It may also be time to see a doctor if:
- If you are pregnant, you will want to talk to your doctor about whether or not you can take medication for your acne [3].
- Also, be sure to let your doctor know if you are nursing or trying to become pregnant [4].
- Remember that many of the medications your doctor may prescribe will make you more sensitive to sunlight, so be careful to avoid the sun and wear hats and sunscreen.
- Note that if you do seek out a physician's care, treatment does take time—existing blemishes need to heal and the medicine will also be working to prevent future breakouts.
- If, however, after two to three months you see no improvement, it might be time to change up your treatment plan [5]. Consult your physician about doing so.
- And don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. What may have worked for a friend or older sibling might not work for you. Everyone's skin is different, but in time, you'll find the treatment that works best with yours.
Common Medical Treatments
- Your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of the following to treat your acne.
- Topical creams and gels like benzoyl peroxide, products containing Vitamin A, or topical antibiotics. These can cause drying and peeling of the skin [1], but your doctor will let you know what to expect.
- Oral antibiotics like erythromycin, doxycycline or tetracycline can be taken by mouth to help with acne [2].
- Retinoids such as those found in the products Retin-A, Tazorac, and Differin.
- Accutane is a pill that is prescribed in more extreme cases. Accutane can cause severe drying of the skin. It cannot be taken by women who are planning to become pregnant within three months or who are already pregnant [3].
Step 4: Other Options
- There are a few other, non-traditional treatments that patients have turned to in order to reduce acne.
- Facials: Regular "extractions"—essentially having a professional pop your zits properly—can help with acne, at least superficially. Facials or cosmetic treatments like microdermabrasion or chemical peels can also help with acne by deeply exfoliating skin and unclogging pores [1], but should be performed by a medical professional.
- Laser and light therapy: Lasers may decrease skin's oil production, leading to clearer complexions [2]. These treatments also can smooth out the skin's surface, which can be helpful to those who may have acne scarring [3], as well. Laser therapy can cost between $200 and $500 per session.
- Birth control pills: low-dose birth control pills like Ortho Tri-Cyclen or Yaz can help reduce moderate acne in women, especially if flare-ups are often premenstrual [4].
Conclusion
- While acne may persist longer than you'd like it to, it is a myth that it should simply run its course [1]. With some time and experimentation, you can find a treatment plan that works for you, whether at home or with the advice of your physician or dermatologist. Starting a treatment plan is the first step. Be patient as your skin adjusts and remember that a treatment may take up to 6 to 8 weeks to become effective [2]. You may need to switch your treatment plan to find the best combination of products and habits for your skin type—a combination that will lead to clearer skin.
