Acne Breakouts: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

We hate zits and sudden acne breakouts! Say it out loud and hope for the best- at least most of us hope for this to work. While manifesting positive energy is all good, learning more about why acne can happen will really help us try to look for ways to stop it. The definition of acne is pretty simple- it is a medical condition in which the pores of your skin get clogged with dead cells, dirt and oily secretions from our skin itself. This leads to these small, painful zits forming, also called pimples. Wonder why they conveniently seem to pop up right before a big meeting, an important date or some other almost life-changing event? The timing sucks, that is for sure but did you know stress can cause these little buggers to show up?

What Causes Sudden Acne Breakouts In Adults-

We know how acne breakouts can happen but there are some specific causes. Some of them include fungal acne, nodular acne, hormonal acne and cystic acne respectively. Fungal acne is caused by a yeast while hormonal acne is most commonly seen to affect teens and ladies during their monthly cycles due to a shift in their hormonal balance. Cystic acne can cause pus filled pimples which when popped can scar. Nodular acne is by far the most severe form where you can find nodules or lumps under the skin. Acne can occur wherever the concentration of oil glands is the highest in the body- which means your face, upper back, forehead, the T-zone, chest and shoulders are all hot zones.

Best Skincare Routine To Prevent Acne Breakouts-

In adults, sudden acne breakouts can be due to stress or eating the wrong kinds of foods that can trigger a reaction. Not using the right kind of skincare products can make breakouts worse. Since acne is basically a buildup of grime on your skin, washing your face twice a day or immediately after a sweaty workout will greatly reduce chances of you breaking out. You can try to avoid milk related products, oily stuff and very sugary items and see if your skin condition improves. As for skincare tips, these should help you definitely-

• Wash your face and wipe it clean with a soft towel with warm water.
• Use cleansers which are gentle- this means they should not have any alcohol or astringents in them.
• Stay away from oily moisturisers or skin serums or products which are heavy and greasy.
• If you use makeup, then remove it all before you go to sleep.
• Never get handsy or touchy feely with your zits. This will cause them to pop and scar.

Best Over-The-Counter Treatments For Acne Breakouts-

Many products are available these days which can help you reduce acne breakouts quickly. These are available without a prescription too-

• Salicylic acid- 2% really helps in getting rid of any sebum, dead cells and grime from your skin. But some people may be sensitive to it and not tolerate it well.
• Benzoyl peroxide is another compound that is found in face washes or creams and gels which can reduce intensity of breakouts.
• Retinoids are great for skincare and help with different issues including treating acne, reducing wrinkles, fine lines, blackheads and whiteheads. It may be harsh at first and cause your skin to feel very inflamed, so talk to a dermatologist before you begin using retinoids. Howevere, once your skin has adjusted to it, it is a god send.
• Azelaic acid
• You may also be given antibiotics if your breakout is very severe. Dermatologists usually tend to classify acne into 4 classes depending on severity- from Class 1-4 respectively.
• Hormone therapy and contraceptive pills may help women at times.
• You may try chemical peels at a clinic and see if they work for you.
• Laser therapy can be done to get rid of scars.
• Steroid injections may be suggested for severe cases of nodular acne.

Conclusion

However bad your case of the zits may be, you have a treatment option available these days. Isn’t that just great? You must have heard the line- ‘I do skincare, but my skin does NOT care’. Dealing with acne can make you feel like that, but using the right kind of light, oil-free products can greatly change how your skin reacts. So, it is time you see why gods of acne are waging a war against your skin and come up with an appropriate solution. We wish you zit-free skin, now and forever!

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