Acne Prevent

Acne leaves blemishes on our faces, blots our self-confidence and ruins a good photo opportunity. Everyone hates those stubborn pimples which are often annoying, painful and can leave physical and emotional scars. In the United States alone, eight out of ten people will experience some form of acne between the ages of eleven to thirty.

In the summertime, especially, our skin becomes more exposed to dirt, free radicals and humidity from spending more time outdoors which increases our chances of buildup, and thus, acne on our skin.

We sat down with Ashley Wu, a board-certified Nurse Practitioner at The Dermatology Specialists, to get the inside scoop on the different kinds of acne, how you can help prevent it from happening in the first place, and how to heal frustrating acne scars.

Acne In Summers Reason Cure Prevention

Acne occurs when hair follicles and pores are compacted with oil (also called sebum), dead skin cells and bacteria which inflame and irritate the skin. While acne is most common in teenagers, adults can still get it well into their 30s and at any other age.

Not all acne is the same — there are actually six different types of acne that can wreak havoc upon your face, chest, back and shoulders.

Finding a cure for your acne may require some trial and error to identify the correct treatments. In part, that’s because the reason for your acne may be an excess of oil, bacterial infections, clogged pores, among other reasons.

Top Ways To Prevent Acne Scarring

“There is no one-size-fits-all treatment when it comes to acne as everyone’s type and severity are different. Some people get clear skin from just topical treatments while others require oral treatments in addition to topical treatments, ” Wu explains.

Most types of acne can worsen as a result of hormonal changes like excessive androgen production; for women, that means acne flare-ups could be caused by menstruation or pregnancy. Other factors include stress, poor diet or even medication. That being said, getting rid of acne may require different treatments for different acne and skin types.

Wu says, “Whiteheads and blackheads are considered non-inflammatory acne and typically respond to retinoid and benzoyl peroxide topical creams. Papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules are considered inflammatory acne and typically respond to topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide and often may need oral or injection treatment. Cysts and nodules can be more difficult to get rid of than other types.”

How To Prevent Acne From Face Masks

One of the first approaches to treat acne usually includes over-the-counter products that include benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which decrease excess oil and bacteria and hasten the turnover of skin cells. These acne medications work great whether you’re battling widespread facial acne or just looking to treat a particular spot. Azelaic acid also helps combat various forms of acne. However, be careful of overusing these products because they may be drying and irritating to the skin.

Amongst available topical medications, retinoids and retinoid-like drugs contain stronger amounts of medication that clear pores. Wu explains that you can apply a thin coat of over-the-counter retinoids like adapalene to the whole face for best results. For sensitive skin, start application every two to three nights until the skin tolerates the treatment.

“If consistent topical treatment for 3 months yields no improvement, patients are often placed on oral treatments. With short-term oral antibiotics, topical treatments can be used in conjunction. But with Accutane, no topical treatments should be used in conjunction because severe irritation can occur, ” says Wu.

Skin Care Hacks To Prevent Acne

The tetracycline group of antibiotics that include minocycline and doxycycline are used to treat various types of acne by slowing down bacteria growth while reducing swelling and redness. For women, treatments like birth control or Spironolactone may be prescribed to help regulate hormones that can cause acne. Accutane is considered one of the most effective ways to treat severe acne, and it’s also used for chronic acne that doesn’t respond to other forms of treatment.

First and foremost, wash and cleanse your skin twice each day, especially because dirt and bacteria build up throughout the day and while we sleep. You can help prevent whiteheads through simple exfoliation and washing, but it’s important to avoid harsh scrubbing as it irritates the skin further.

Wu advises that the absolute best way to treat acne scarring is through prevention. If there’s no new acne that appears, then you’re not going to get new acne scars. Therefore, your first focus should always be to get your acne under control and to avoid popping pimples.

How To Prevent Acne

If you do have acne scars, they don’t have to be permanent. There are two categories of acne scars: superficial, temporary marks and deeper, more severe permanent scarring like pockmarking. Each type requires different treatments.

Superficial, temporary scars may fade naturally over time, but dermatologists can minimize their appearance more quickly through the use of chemical peels, topical retinoids, azelaic acid, and hydrocodone.

On the other hand, deeper acne scars often require the help of a dermatologist who can provide laser treatments and minor skin surgeries. Fillers, for instance, add volume to some deep atrophic scars while laser resurfacing may work on various types of both atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars.

How To Prevent Summer Acne Breakouts

“Over-the-counter treatments may improve acne scarring slowly over one to two years with consistent use and sun protection. However, you should see a dermatologist to determine the type of scarring you have and determine the best way to get the quickest results, ” says Wu.

Acne can be a complicated struggle for many people, especially in their adolescence. The Dermatology Specialists’ supportive team of expert dermatologists and staff members can find the right solution to help you control acne throughout each stage of treatment, no matter the severity, your age or skin type.

Ashley Wu FNP-BC is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in dermatology. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing at Columbia University, and holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Nursing from Rutgers University and Villanova University, respectively. Ashley is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, having lived in Taiwan for 9 years.10 tried-and-true ways to prevent acne. Some are no-brainers, like washing your face, while others may come as a bit of a surprise, like using moisturizer.

Ways To Prevent Acne

Whether you are battling acne every day or only experience occasional breakouts, you know that not only are pimples embarrassing but they can also cause real physical discomfort.

Although it may be your first instinct to just use a regular rough towel to dry your face, this approach can cause more acne to appear.

Instead, use a fresh, soft cloth to pat your face dry, and remember to wash your face towel before using it again.

Healthy Habits To Prevent Acne: 5 Daily Habits That Can Prevent Acne

Instead, use an acne product that leaves the acne fighting ingredient on your face to fight acne the entire night while you sleep.

While you sleep, your face tends to rub on your pillow which causes inflammation and when combined with dirt and bacteria, acne breakouts can occur.

Use a mild soap every day to remove dirt and bacteria from your glasses and avoid promoting acne where they make contact with your face.

Acne Face Map: The Cause Of These Breakouts

Men who tend to have problems with pimples along their hairlines should pay particularly careful attention to the ingredients in the hair products they use.

Skin experts have pretty much proved that foods like chocolate and potato chips do not cause pimples, while eating more fresh fruits and vegetables doesn’t hurt your complexion.

Besides touching your face with your hand, anything which is against your skin for long periods of time like your headphones and cell phones can result in breakouts.

Foods That Prevent Acne

The Hanley Acne System uses the best acne fighting ingredient available, salicylic acid, in our acne cream to fight acne and keep your skin moisturized at the same time.

“Over a 3 year period, I probably spent over two grand in skin care and still had acne. I decided to reach out and request to be a part of the  Hanley Acne trial   and I have been blown away. After two weeks, my skin was clear. It’s not the acne cream alone that cleared it up, but how all of the products work together as a whole.” Kyle B., NJ.