Youth and adults alike can have acne-prone skin. What causes a pimple is pretty much the same regardless of how old you are. When you combine the skin’s oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, a pore becomes plugged, inflammation develops, and a pimple appears. Some are small and near the surface and go away quickly, while others are deeper in the skin, more painful, and take a while to disappear. While the factors that cause acne can vary from person to person, tactics on how to prevent acne are general enough that everyone can apply them to their lifestyle and likely see a positive impact on their skin health.
Clean your cellphone
Cleaning your cell phone is probably not the first thing you think to do. We are all guilty of skipping this from time to time. Think about it for a second, though – you rest your phone against the side of your face. Then maybe your arms get tired, so you switch it to the other side. You have taken that bacteria-covered cell phone and spread bacteria all over your face, potentially causing future breakouts. The oils from makeup and our skin unknowingly accumulate on our cell phones. If you see breakouts on your cheek or jaw, your cellphone could be the possible cause.
Wash your pillowcase
Like a cell phone collects your skin oils and dead skin cells, so can your pillowcase. Regularly washing your pillowcase and sleeping on your back can help eliminate acne caused during sleep. Specifically, sleeping on your back can keep pores open and refreshed, preventing angry breakouts and flare-ups the next day.
Eat a balanced diet, focusing less on processed foods
Foods that cause your blood sugar to rise quickly boost your insulin levels. Too much insulin can trigger changes in your body that increase the activity of oil-producing glands. According to an American Journal of Nutrition study, you may have fewer breakouts if you add whole grains, beans, and veggies to your diet while cutting back on pasta, white rice, white bread, dairy, and sugar.
Stop touching your face – even if you don’t realize you do it!
You may think you don’t touch your face often, but do you ever subconsciously touch it throughout the day? Maybe rest your chin in your hand or rub your hands on your face if you are tired? Take some time throughout your day and pay attention to how much you touch your face. Touching your face all day quickly makes it the dirtiest part of your body. It is essential to not only wash your hands but your face.
Reduce your stress levels
Stress not only affects acne flare-ups but also worsens your overall skin health. It is common for stress to cause your skin to produce more oil. The best solution is to find a daily stress reliever that works for you. For some, it may be doing yoga or reading a book; for others, just getting a relaxing night’s sleep will help reduce those stress levels.
Wash your face before bedtime
Oil on the skin makes for a breeding ground for bacteria, and bacteria will cause blemishes. Sleeping with not only your makeup on but also the addition of oil, dirt, and debris built up on the skin during the day can trigger new acne breakouts.
Stop popping pimples
When you pop a pimple, you run the risk of pushing the bacteria deeper or spreading it around underneath your skin, multiplying your pimples. This is especially true with deep cystic lesions.
Stop wearing fitted clothing
Have you been wearing a hat or maybe a fitted shirt lately? Anything that can trap sweat and bacteria against your skin can clog your pores and develop pimples. If you must wear a hat or fitted shirt, try to pick a moisture-wicking material to help pull the sweat away from your skin. Ideally, it is best to wear loose-fitting clothing and regularly wash your skin with a cleansing product.
If you suffer from acne and would like a customized treatment plan, the board-certified dermatologists at Forefront Dermatology are here to help. Find a location near you today.
