Teenage could be a very difficult time for some people. The teen period is the age where you go through changes, experience new things, face new problems and overcome them. But there are some problems that do not get better by age, and if not tackled properly, could worsen. Yes, you are not wrong, we’re talking about Acne or commonly known as pimples.

Those Red-bumps on your face, that you struggled with throughout your teenage, may come back to haunt you far beyond puberty. While adult acne is extremely irritating and bad, it’s pretty common for people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, and especially for women.

There are a variety of acne treatments that can help you reduce the number of pimples you get as well as the likelihood of scarring.

What is Acne?

Our skin has tiny holes, called pores, that are sometimes blocked by oil, dirt, dead skill cells, and bacteria. These factors can lead to the development of pimples or zits on our skin. When skin is continuously affected by this condition, the situation is called Acne.

Dermatologists state that acne is the most common skin condition as it affects most people in their teenage years. Acne can be excruciatingly unpleasant, especially when it is severe. It can also induce mental distress.

Causes of Acne

When your skin’s oil glands become overactive and pores get inflamed, pimples, commonly known as acne, appear. Some bacteria on the skin might trigger pimples. Pimples can appear on any part of the body, although they are most common on the face.

Sebum (oil) is produced by the oil gland and travels up the hair, out of the pore, and onto your skin. It keeps your skin supple and moisturized.

A little problem can occur in this process, leading to the development of pimples, the reasons for which are as stated below.

  • Too much oil produced by glands
  • Accumulation of dead skin cells on these pores
  • Bacterial growth around pores

When hormones become active during puberty, oil glands are stimulated. Acne is more common in teenagers because of this. It is partly genetic, if other members of your family have (or had) acne, you may be more likely to get it as well.

There is no foolproof technique to prevent pimples because they are usually triggered by androgen hormones and, in some situations, genetics.

What are the symptoms of Acne?

Acne can appear on almost every part of your body. But it mostly develops on your face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders.

If you have acne, you’ll usually notice white or black pimples. These are called Comedones and they include both blackheads and whiteheads. These are the most common lesions that occur during this phase, but there are other inflammatory lesions that can cause scarring on your skin. It includes:

  • Papules – Small red tender bumps
  • Pustules – Pimples with pus at their tips
  • Nodules – Large solid painful lumps under the skin
  • Cysts – Painful pus-filled lumps under the skin

How can you prevent Acne?

Wash your Face:

Washing your face regularly is important to discard excess oil, dirt, and sweat from your skin daily. Wash your face at least twice a day, it can help you prevent pimples from growing on your skin. However, don’t use harsh cleansers if you have dry skin. Use alcohol-free products and steer away from using chemicals on your face.

How to wash:

  • Wet your face with warm, not hot, water
  • Apply a mild cleanser and rub it gently with your fingertips
  • Rinse thoroughly and pat dry using a soft cloth

Know your skin type:

Knowing your skin type is the most crucial step in treating pimples. It is important to note that not all products can be used on every skin type. Some people have oily skin, some have dry skin, etc. However, oily skin is the most pimple-prone.

Another type of skin that causes most pimples is combination skin. Combination skin has both dry and oily areas. The oily areas tend to be your forehead, nose, and chin, also called your T-zone. Choose the right skincare products, based on your skin type.

Use Moisturizer:

Moisturizers keep skin hydrated. But many moisturizers these days contain oil, synthetic fragrance, and other harmful materials that are not good for your skin. This may irritate the skin and worsen the pimples.
Use fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers after washing your face or whenever your skin feels dry to help avoid pimples.

When you’re low on water (dehydrated), your body secretes more oil. Dehydration also leads to dullness in the skin and promotes inflammation and redness.
Stay hydrated and drink lots and lots of water. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Drink more after exercise, in summer, and in hot and humid environments.

Limit Makeup:

It’s tempting to cover up pimples with cosmetics. However, this may block pores and cause breakouts. Don’t use makeup and go natural if you can. Avoid greasy, heavy foundation and use products that are non-comedogenic, sheer, and fragrance-free. Using greasy products on your skin can cause pimples.

Don’t touch your face unnecessarily:

Every day your hands encounter innumerable germs, dirt, and bacteria and continuously touching your face can transfer these impurities into your skin.
By all means, avoid using your hands to your face and if necessary use a clean cloth to rub your skin. Wash your hands regularly with a cleanser, and try to touch your face as little as possible.

Use Tea-tree oil:

Tea tree oil is a well-known home treatment for acne. It is helpful in mild and moderate acne breakouts. It helps in reducing the number of inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.
Apply a few drops of tea tree oil along with some ointment (as prescribed by your dermatologist) to the irritated region to treat pimples. A few drops can also be used for your every day with a cleanser or moisturizer.

Avoid Stress:

Stress and tension is not the cause of pimples but it can worsen them. Research reveals that when you feel anxious your body secretes more oil than usual leading to pimples.
Manage your stress and try to calm your body. Do yoga, meditation, engage in other casual activities, massage, etc.

Conclusion

Everyone gets acne, there’s nothing to worry about. Besides, many factors stimulate pimples and make them worse. Factors like hormones, stress, genetics have a huge effect on the cause of acne. We know that pimples are annoying, but they can be treated. Just follow preventive measures and stop the initial outbreak of acne.
Consult a dermatologist, and follow the prescription, at the same time be patient and consistent. Treatments take time to produce results, so wait for a little and do whatever you want and whatever you like. Just don’t let the acne on your face lower your self-esteem.