While acne is normally associated with teenagers, it's actually a skin condition that can affect people of all ages. In fact, it's one of the most common skin problems that people face. Acne can range from mild breakouts, like the occasional pimple or blackhead, to severe ones, which include large pustules that are often bright red and painful.
Regardless of the severity, all acne stems from the same cause: a buildup of dead skin cells and skin oil that clogs pores and causes inflammation. To effectively treat acne, this root cause must be addressed and eliminated.
Luckily, there are a number of effective treatments for stopping acne in its tracks and preventing future breakouts. These include lifestyle changes, over-the-counter products, and, in extreme cases, prescription medication. Not every method will work for every person, but with persistence, it is possible to make acne a thing of the past.
1 - Maintain a healthy diet
The things people eat can have a noticeable impact on the health of their skin. To prevent acne breakouts, it's important to include plenty of foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids. This nutrient has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which is one of the main causes of acne. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, spinach, almonds, and grass-fed beef.
It's equally important to avoid foods that can make acne worse, too. Foods that raise certain hormone levels have been shown to increase the likelihood of breakouts, and these include sugary breakfast cereals, white rice, white bread, and pretzels.
2 - Keep pores unclogged
Salicylic acid is one of the most common ingredients found in topical acne treatments, and for good reason, too. It's been shown to eliminate excess oil found on the skin and exfoliate dead skin cells. Both of these things can lead to clogged pores, so reducing their occurrence is essential to keeping acne under control. Because overuse of salicylic acid can lead to excessively dry skin, it's important not to overuse products that contain it.
3 - Eliminate acne-causing bacteria
Acne-causing bacteria live near the base of hair follicles on the skin. These microscopic organisms feed off of the natural oils that the skin produces, as well as dead skin cells that clog pores. During their digestive process, these bacteria release a substance that acts as an irritant to the surrounding skin, which can lead to inflammation and acne breakouts.
Other common ingredients in over-the-counter products to treat acne, help to destroy these troublesome bacteria and prevent them from returning. Because some are fast acting, patients can often see results from its use within a few days to a week. As with salicylic acid, this ingredient can lead to dry skin, so it's important not to overuse it.
4 - Visit the doctor for stubborn acne breakouts
While over-the-counter topical products and lifestyle changes can be effective at treating acne, particularly severe breakouts may require professional medical attention. Luckily, there are a number of prescription medications and topical products that are strong enough to eliminate even the most stubborn pimples and blackheads.
Powerful topical creams alter the way skin cells reproduce, which helps reduce clogged pores from dead cells as well as the inflammation associated with them.
Oral antibiotics are another option for patients looking for prescription-strength treatments. These medications help to target and eliminate bacteria on the skin that cause acne. However, it's important to thoroughly discuss a proper treatment regimen with a dermatologist, as these can lead to antibiotic resistance over time.
The articles on this website should not be used to start the use of dietary supplements or vitamins, natural or herbal products, homeopathic medicine or other mentioned products prior to a proper consultation with a doctor or certified health provider.
