Affecting as many as fve million Canadians, more people see a doctor for acne than any other skin condition. While it is true that teenagers are the age group most affected by the condition, people of all ages experience acne. In fact, roughly 85 per cent of the population will suffer from acne breakouts at some point in their lives.
At this time of year, though, teenagers are the most likely group to be thinking about acne. The stress associated with the new school year, making new friends, and so on can play havoc with the skin, causing breakouts when they are least wanted. Here, we share some tips on controlling acne breakouts.
Don’t stress:
Acne develops when hair follicles become clogged by a combination of an oily substance secreted by the skin (sebum) and dead skin cells. The secretion of sebum is associated with hormonal activity, and stress can play havoc with your hormones. So although stress is not a direct cause of acne, it can be associated with flare-ups.
However you choose to reduce stress—laughing with friends, dancing, meditating, or going for a walk, for example—will help control acne breakouts.
Hands off your face:
Every time you touch your face, you transfer dirt and encourage sebum secretion. So hands away at all times!
No squeezing pimples:
Never pick at spots or squeeze pimples. Squeezing a pimple forces the trapped material deeper into your skin and is likely to make the spot worse. It also makes scarring more likely.
Wash your face daily:
Washing once or twice daily with a cleanser formulated for acne-prone skin will help keep breakouts at bay. Clean & Clear ® Makeup Dissolving Facial Wipes are a convenient means of thoroughly cleansing the skin.
Be gentle:
While it is tempting to scrub your face as frequently as possible when you have acne, this could actually trigger C breakouts and worsen the condition. Over cleansing may cause di your skin to produce more sebum, leading to more problems.
Wear sunscreen:
Acne preparations can make the skin extra sensitive to UV light so be sure to wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
Use oil-free makeup:
Look for products that are labelled non-comedogenic, as they don’t contain ingredients that clog the pores.
Launder and clean:
Washing your pillow case and sheets frequently is a good idea as they absorb oil, which then rubs off on your skin. Makeup brushes and applicators should be cleaned with antimicrobial soap for the same reason.
Use an oil absorber:
Removing dirt and oily residues from your face will help control breakouts. Clean & Clear ® Oil-absorbing Sheets instantly remove excess oil without spoiling makeup or leaving powdery residue.
Consider blue light therapy:
The redness and swelling that often accompany acne are caused by bacteria that can be killed by a specifc wavelength of blue light.
Acne myths
Many “old wives’ tales” exist about acne, some of which persist no matter what. Here are the most common acne myths we hear today:
Chocolate (and other sweets or greasy foods) cause acne flareups.
Although this myth seems plausible due to the role of oily sebum in acne development, what we eat appears to have very little influence over breakouts.
Acne can be passed on through contact with someone who already has it.
Acne may be unsightly, but it is defnitely not contagious.
Acne is caused by dirty habits and poor personal hygiene.
Again, not true. While touching your face with dirty hands can transfer bacteria, and infrequent washing can cause sebum buildup, acne is never caused by sloppy hygiene.
Sunning (or indoor tanning) clears up acne.
UV light can actually cause breakouts, not prevent them. Although hot sunshine can have a drying effect, this is temporary, and causes more sebum to be manufactured.
Acne is caused by too much (or too little) sexual activity.
Although this myth passes down through generations, there is absolutely no truth to it. A person’s level of sexual activity, including masturbation, can neither cause acne nor acne breakouts.
