Acne is best described as a disease that comes and goes and remains a bother to the patient. Also, the variety of options for treatment and other aspects can leave one in a dilemma on which approach to take. In order to determine the best ways to manage acne, we consulted a dermatologist who provided expert opinions. How acne originates, what can be done to get rid of it, and what products should be used in daily life for skin prone to acne – answers to these questions contain practical professionals’ recommendations.
Q1: What causes acne, and why do some people experience it more than others?
Dermatologist: The main cause of acne is a complex of factors, in particular, seborrhea (excess oil), clogged pores, bacterial activity, and inflammation of the skin. Hormones during the course of a person’s life, for example, during puberty, pregnancy, or menstruation, can also stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Perhaps the most important factor in this regard is a person’s ancestry; for instance, if one’s parents suffered from acne, there is a strong chance that one too will develop the skin condition.
Certain behavior patterns such as stress, eating, and how one cares for their skin may also add to the acne. All the same, it is worth clarifying that acne is not a simple condition, and for the right course of treatment, a person must understand why they have this condition.
Q2: What acne treatments tend to work best?
Dermatologist: For more pronounced cases of acne, however, there are many acne treatments regardless of the cause. For mild to moderate acne, topical medications are often enough. They are as follows:
- Benzoyl peroxide: This is most commonly used to help cure clogged pores due to acne by eliminating acne bacteria and assisting in reducing the swelling.
- Salicylic acid: A type of beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates the skin, aids in the removal of dead skin cells and also relaxes pores.
- Retinoids: These are compounds derived from vitamin A which enables sloughing off dead skin and widening blocked pores.
For very severe conditions of acne, it may be necessary to use systemic treatments such as oral antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives or isotretinoin.
If any acne remains, I would like to suggest tea tree oil, which is also an antibacterial agent. For natural remedies, I prefer tea tree oil by HBNO.com. However, it should be applied carefully and mixed with other very light carrier oils to prevent skin inflammation.
Q3: What tips can an acne prone individual follow in structuring their skin care regime?
Dermatologist: It’s necessary to keep the skincare routine simple and effective for acne-prone skin. Here’s one such regimen:
- Cleanser: Gently wash the face with a non-comedogenic cleanser to remove oil, dirt and makeup without stripping the skin. For clogged pores, look for cleansers with salicylic acid.
- Treatment: Use acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or retinoids for the breaking areas or areas that are congested with acne. Always start with treating the problem areas with caution especially the sensitive skin types.
- Moisturizer: Apply a moisturizer at this point! You can have acne-prone skin but still require moisture so an oil-free non-comedogenic moisturizer is recommended for this step.
- Sunscreen: Every day for morning use, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. This is important for everyday skin care in order to prevent skin damage caused by sunlight, particularly in acne treatment where the skin becomes more sun-sensitive.
Q4: Is it important to avoid certain ingredients that cause acne-prone skin?
Dermatologist: There indeed are some ingredients that can make the condition worse. Therefore one should steer clear of them, should they break out. The following are examples of such:
- Heavy oils – Coconut oils are heavies and pore-clogging oils that may cause acne break out. Use light oils like jojoba oil or diluted tea tree oil.
- Alcohol-based products. Such products are often too dehydrating which causes the skin to become irritated and subsequently oily leading to acne.
- Fragrance – The use of artificial scents in skincare products has been found to worsen inflammation of the skin so it is safer to avoid scented products.
Use superficial skin care products that are non-comedogenic, that is, those that do not block pores, and do not use any greasy or very heavy products.
Q5: How important is diet when it comes to controlling acne?
Dermatologist: The issues of diet and acne control are not entirely alien. However, the closeness of the link between food and acne is still investigating. A number of works indicate that acne may be associated with high glycemic index foods like sugar-rich snacks, processed starches or dairy for some people. That is why it is important to note if you associate certain foods with the appearance of bumps and do your best to eliminate them from your intake.
However, a diet high in antioxidants, omega-3 rich fats, vitamins A as well as E can also help in maintaining healthy skin. Food sources such as fishes, green vegetables as well as nuts will generally improve one’s skin condition, which can also help in dealing with acne.
Q6: What is the recommended frequency of exfoliation out of the shower for those with acne-prone skin?
Dermatologist: For acne-prone skin, exfoliation is beneficial and necessary, but sometimes it is easy to go overboard. If there is too much exfoliation, there is irritation, and inflammation gets worse, coupled with more chances of breakouts.
A regime of exfoliation in every 7 to 14 days using one or two of the acne chemical peels, i.e., salicylic or lactic acid is advocated. These usually do not include the use of abrasive scrubs with large particles as they tend to overstrain the skin and cause inflammation.
Exfoliation is great for the removal of dead cells, the unclogging of pores as well as the correction of textures of the skin although after all these, proper hydrating and sun-blocking products are used.
Q7: What is the best practice for a person who has been using the topical treatments of acne and they are of no help?
Dermatologist: If you have been treating your acne by yourself with over-the-counter treatments for 8 to 12 weeks without seeing any results, it is advisable to seek a specialist. You might need a prescription treatment or a mix of approaches to bring your acne under control.
Others are more severe, and in such cases it is possible to treat acne with oral preparations such as antibiotics, hormonal therapy or isotretinoin. A qualified specialist will examine you and help choose the right therapy.
Q8: Can acne be affected by stress?
Dermatologist: Stress can in fact worsen acne. During this period, more cortisol is produced in the body helping to trigger the overproduction of oil and inflammation hence causing breakouts. Since these are connected to stress or even caused by stress, making use of stress-relief practices such as relaxation, exercise, and adequate sleep can help minimize these types of breakouts.
Adding in stress relieving exercises, like yoga or meditation, or when you can, taking some time for yourself can help keep your skin wellness by relieving stress.
Q9: Are there treatments for acne scars and how can they be avoided?
Dermatologist: Yes, acne scars can be treated, however, it is best to avoid getting them in the first place. The most basic rule is to avoid squeezing the pimples as it increases the likelihood of getting scars.
There are several types of treatment for acne scars that already exist, including: There are chemical resurfacing agents which are used to reduce the appearance of superficial scars. Microneedling is used to inflict controlled, minor injuries to the skin which are designed to enhance collagen production and repair.
- Laser treatments: Attack the deeper scars in the skin and help the skin to be younger.
- Products containing retinoids or AHAs, when used regularly, can also reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the blemishes that remain after acne).
Q10: When can the first effects be noticed when treating problems with the skin, such as acne?
Dermatologist: Cures for acne take time, they are not magical; there’s nothing that can cure it overnight. Usually, you will notice results after about four to six weeks of over-the-counter treatments. In the case of prescription treatments, you may have to wait a little longer, although you should already be able to see some improvement after 2 to 3 months.
It is crucial to remain realistic as to how long the acne routine will take on a daily basis and how to stick to it. If treatment is stopped too early, the acne may appear again, on the other hand, using products on a regular front may irritate the skin and cause more outbreaks.
Conclusion
Managing acne outcomes takes patience and persistence as well as a method geared specifically to that skin type. Following the advice of a dermatologist is very important for understanding the etiology as well as management of acne. Whether you are simply applying Tea Tree oil, purchased from HBNO.com, as an alternative treatment or resorting to more advanced treatment options, the bottom line is finding the right combination for your skin and adhering to it.
For those of you who struggle with chronic acne, consult with a dermatologist who can devise a treatment that will eventually clear your skin and restore its health.
