Acne Problems, How To Avoid Making Them Worse
To avoid making acne problems worse, these tips should help you avoid the main problems with acne.
How to Avoid Acne Problems
- Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them stick together. Use oil-free, water-based, non-comedogenic cosmetic products instead. Avoid strongly fragranced or alcohol based products. When using sprays or gels, make sure to keep them off your face.
- Squeezing, picking or bursting pimples and blemishes can make existing problems with acne worse and can cause acne scars.
- Hard scrubbing and over washing may make acne worse. Acne is not caused by dirt; blackheads are not black with dirt, they’re black from oxidized keratin protein.
- Stress, particularly severe or prolonged emotional tension, may make acne worse in some people. Many students have reported that their acne gets worse during times of stress when taking exams.
- Environmental irritants such as pollution, machine oils, coal tar derivatives, chlorinated hydrocarbons. High humidity can play a part in causing acne; sweating appears to make acne problems worse in about 15% of acne sufferers.
- Certain drugs, including androgenic drugs (such as testosterone and anabolic steroids), lithium, and barbiturates are known to cause acne.
- Acne lesions can form in areas where pressure is frequently applied to the skin. Pressure from bike helmets, backpacks, or tight collars can make acne worse. Avoid wearing hats or sports equipment such as helmets, straps or sweatbands that rub on your forehead. Wear loose fitting, cotton clothing or moleskin to minimize friction on your skin.
- If your hair is oily, shampoo it daily. Comb or pull your hair back to keep it off the face and rubbing against skin.
- Always wash your face carefully before going to bed. Your skin is in healing mode while you sleep. Also try not to sleep with your face pressed against the pillow.
- After eating greasy foods it is important to wash hands and avoid touching the face. Rubbing and touching of skin lesions will also make acne worse.
- Some people are convinced certain foods make their acne problems worse. If this is the case for you, just avoid those foods. But, there’s no conclusive scientific proof that food makes acne problems worse.
