When you get your first ever pimple, there is probably the tiniest bit of excitement, because you get that feeling of being a grown-up, but overtime, it will become a tedious task and might even leave you really worried. While acne is normal and natural and affects a large percentage of people, all over the world, it is important to remember that it is a condition like any other and it can be treated. These days, acne treatment has become a lot more modern and effective and as long as you get proper advice and diagnosis from an experienced dermatologist, it should be no problem at all.
What is acne?
All over our body, there are pores and within these pores sit hair follicles; this is why you have hair on your face too although for women, it tends to a lot finer. The body produces sebum, which naturally lubricates and hydrates the skin – however, when too much sebum goes and clogs the follicles, dirt and tiny hair tend to get trapped inside. This leads to the formation of a boil, which can be filled with pus and this is known as pimple or acne.
Over the years, there has been a lot of research in the field of acne treatments – given that acne is caused due to different causes (some could be due to bacteria, others due to excess oil build-up and some due to the growth of new skin cells, while the dead skin cells are still present. So, the acne treatment products are based on the type of problem that is leading to the same.
Here are the most common and most popular active ingredients that you will be able to find in acne products:
- Salicylic acid – It is said that this ingredient can help unclog pores and help reduce breakouts, which is probably why, it is a popular ingredient in a range of anti-acne products. Over the counter versions will normally come in strengths between 0.5 to 2%, because anything stronger than that, you might require a prescription. These days, you will be able to find both leave in and wash off versions and if you are picking over the counter, it would be wise to check the concentration first.
- Azelaic acid–Mildly anti-bacterial, this ingredient can help prevent pores from becoming clogged and the over-the-counter products will have strength of up to 10%. More importantly, it can also help clear the dark spots that tend to appear post acne.
- Benzoyl peroxide–This is one of the most popular expert-recommended remedies for acne because it can kill the bacteria that lead to acne. It can also help remove excess oil from the skin and rid the skin of dead skin cells, which could lead to cogged pores. You will be able to find over the counter versions with strengths ranging between 2.5 to 10%. It is interesting to note that lower strength products tend to work better than higher strength, which is why you might want to start with a 2.5 product. However, you do need to be careful with this product, because it has bleaching qualities.
- Alpha hydroxy acids – There are two types of alpha hydroxy acids that are normally used in acne treatment – lactic acid and glycolic acid. These can help remove dead skin cells, ensuring that the pores do not get clogged; while also ensuring that new skin cells are able to generate. They can also help even out skin tone and help calm inflamed skin.
- Adapalene – A retinoid, adapalene can help prevent new breakouts and help clear the pores and you should be able to get a 0.1% strength as an over-the-counter formulation.
Now that we have looked at the main ingredients, let’s move onto how you should go about choosing the right acne products:
- Ideally, you should start with a lower strength product – in many cases, a lower strength will show the kind of results you are looking for. In case that does not work, you can go to a higher strength, but if you are going for a higher strength, it would be better that you talk to an expert first.
- Sometimes a single product might not work, which is why you might need to use more than one product – if your acne is really stubborn, then you will need a combination of ingredients. At times, your acne treatment protocol will require one set of ingredients for the morning and another set for the night.
- You need to figure out which form works best for you, because these products come in the form of serums, gels, creams, soaps, facewashes and ointments. You can always talk to a skin specialist or dermatologist and pick the products based on the same. There is also the chance that you might have to try out a few variations and varieties, before you finally find the product that works best for you.
While you might have purchased the expert-recommended remedies for acne, there are also tips that you need to keep in mind.
- Washing your face on a regular basis is essential, but you should not overdo it – ideally twice a day, you should wash your face with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. Remember not to scrub your skin; use gentle hands and try to stay away from scrubs and masks that need to be scrubbed away. It is also important to take a shower after strenuous activities, such as exercise, because sweat and oil combined could lead to breakouts.
- In case you do need to scrub a little, you can use a cleansing cloth or a towelette – the open weave can gently remove dead skin cells, without irritating the skin.
- Rather than oil-based products, choose water-based products, because you really don’t have to add more oil to your face. Even your makeup products should be noncomedogenic, so that it can’t clog your pores. You will also need to pay attention to the products that you use and apply on your hair, because oils from your hair are sure to make their way onto your face as well.
- Even when you are using expert-recommended remedies for acne, don’t go overboard. Use just the right amount or as directed by your expert.
- As tempting as it might seem to pop a pimple, don’t! You need to take care of what touches your face, including your hair and hands. Anything from your phone to your glasses to your helmet tend to touch your face and you need to keep them clean as well.
No matter how simple or how extensive your acne treatment procedure seems, you need to patient; remember that things might get worse, before they get better and with a little bit of care and discipline, you should have skin that you love!