Acne also known as pimples is a common problem amongst the teenagers nowadays and it is always better to prevent acne rather than trying to cure it afterwards.
Before knowing What are the ways to prevent acne/pimples,we need to know,What really causes pimples and by knowing it how can we prevent acne from ever happening.
To know more about acne-CLICK HERE
To know to cure /get rid of acne-CLICK HERE
What causes acne and how can we use this info to prevent acne?
- Pimple occurs due to blockage of the duct sebaceous gland (pores) on the face.
- Which then leads to accumulation and inflammation of the gland which causes acne.
- Any such method which prevents the blockage of duct and methods which reduces inflammation can help in preventing acne.
Best 12 ways to prevent acne.
1.DONT KEEP TOUCHING YOUR FACE.
- Every time your fingers meet your face, they transfer dirt and oils. It’s a hard habit to break, but an important one.
- And wash your hands with soap and warm water frequently — especially after eating — to keep them clean.
- Keep your hands off your face. Avoid touching your face or propping your cheek or chin on your hands.
- Not only can you spread bacteria, you can also irritate the already inflamed facial skin.
- Never pick or pop pimples with your fingers, as it can lead to infection and scarring.
- During the day we our hands are in constant contact with germs pollution and dirt.
- And each time you touch your face, some of those pore-clogging impurities may get transferred to your skin.
So try to touch your face as little as possible.
2.DONT SQUEEZE YOUR PIMPLES .
- Popping pimples may cause bleeding, severe scarring, or infection.
- It may also increase inflammation and clog surrounding pores, making your pimple problem worse.
- Avoid from popping or picking at pimples
- It may be tempting to squeeze a pimple, but this usually results in inflammation and scarring.
- To reduce the appearance of blemishes, use a topical treatment instead. They may take some time to work, but they can also prevent new pimples from forming.
3.WASHING YOUR FACE PROPERLY. (best way to prevent acne)
To help prevent pimples, it’s important to remove excess oil, dirt, and sweat daily.
- Washing your face more than twice a day may make acne worse.
- Don’t wash your face with harsh cleansers that dry skin. Use an alcohol-free cleanser.
To wash your face:
- Wet your face with warm, not hot, water.
- Apply a mild cleanser in a gentle, circular motion using your fingers, not a washcloth.
- Rinse thoroughly, and pat dry.
Wash the face twice daily
Washing the face twice a day and not popping pimples will help to improve skin appearance.
- Acne is rarely the result of a dirty face, contrary to popular belief. However, it is important to remove excess dirt and oil from the skin by washing regularly.
- Many people prefer to use a mild cleanser and warm water. Applying an oil-free moisturizer after washing can keep the skin from becoming too dry.
- Over-washing the face may cause the skin to become dry, which can aggravate pimples.
- Keep your face clean. Whether or not you have acne, it’s important to wash your face twice daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and extra oil from your skin’s surface.
- Using a harsh soap (like deodorant body soap) can hurt already inflamed skin and cause more irritation.
- Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly with a washcloth, an exfoliating glove, or loofah (a coarse-textured sponge).
- Gently wash it with a very soft cloth or your hands.
- Always rinse well, and then dry your face with a clean towel. (Toss the towel in the laundry hamper, as dirty towels spread bacteria.)
- Also, use the washcloth only once.
4.DONT SCRUB WITH ROUGH WASHCLOTH.
- Use your hands to clean your face, and pat your skin dry with a clean towel instead of rubbing it dry.
- Scrubbing can actually promote more acne.
5. DONOT USE EXFOLIATIVE BRUSHES.
Even though brushes are marketed as very good for skin care,avoid them if you have acne.
- Studies suggest they can actually worsen acne. That’s because the exfoliation causes more inflammation, resulting in more acne bumps.
- Refrain from harsh scrubbing
- Some people scrub the skin with rough cloth pads or washcloths. This can irritate the skin and cause inflammation, making acne breakouts worse.
- Applying a gentle cleanser with clean hands or a soft brush intended for use on the face can help to prevent pimples.
6.MOSTURIZE YOUR SKIN OFTEN.
- Moisturizers help skin stay hydrated. But many moisturizers contain oil, synthetic fragrance, or other ingredients that may irritate skin and cause pimples.
- To help prevent pimples, use fragrance-free, noncomedogenic moisturizers after you wash your face or when your skin feels dry.
- Many acne products contain ingredients that dry the skin, so always use a moisturizer that minimizes dryness and skin peeling.
- Look for “noncomedogenic” on the label, which means it should not cause acne.
- There are moisturizers made for oily, dry, or combination skin.
- Use moisturizers and sunscreens specifically made for the face.
- Lotions designed for the body are heavier and can clog your pores.
- Look for products with glycerine and hyaluronic acid, which hold moisture in the skin, and products labeled “non-comedogenic” — which means they don’t cause acne.
- No matter what, however, always wear sunscreen.
7.AVOID MAKEUP TO PREVENT ACNE.
- It’s very tempting to use makeup to cover up pimples. However, doing so may clog pores and trigger outbreaks.
- Go all natural when you can. When you do wear makeup, avoid greasy, heavy foundation, and use products that are noncomedogenic, sheer, and fragrance-free.
- Greasy or oily shampoos, body washes, shaving creams, and hair styling products may all cause pimples.
- To help prevent outbreaks, choose oil-free, noncomedogenic options.
- Use makeup sparingly. During a breakout, avoid wearing foundation, powder, or blush.
- If you do wear makeup, wash it off at the end of the day. If possible, choose oil-free cosmetics without added dyes and chemicals.
- Choose makeup that is labeled as “noncomedogenic,” meaning it should not cause acne. Read the ingredients list on the product label before buying
- Use water-based, oil-free makeup.
- Heavy, greasy products with cocoa butter, mineral oil or cold cream can aggravate acne.
- As with lotion and sunscreen, your makeup should be water-based, hypoallergenic, non-comdogneic and oil-free.
- Mineral-based products with silica, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide help absorb oil and minimize redness.
8.KEEP YOUR FACE CARE PRODUCTS CLEAN.
- Makeup and facial sponges and brushes should be cleaned regularly with soap and water to prevent a buildup of bacteria, which could lead to breakouts.
- Make sure that brushes dry completely before use.
9.AVOID SUN OVEREXPOSURE.
- Catching some rays may dry out pimples in the short term, but it causes major problems in the long run.
- Frequent sun exposure dehydrates the skin, which over time causes it to produce more oil and block pores.
- It’s important to wear sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer. However, many sunscreens are oily.
- For both sun and pimple protection, wear a noncomedogenic, oil-free sunscreen
- Wear sunscreen when going outdoors
- Too much sun has many damaging effects on the skin. Sunburn can also lead to an overproduction of oils that make acne worse.
- Using oil-free sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 may help to prevent sunburns and exacerbated acne.
- Stay out of the sun. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase inflammation and redness, and can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark discoloration).
- Some acne medications may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- Limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and a broad-brimmed hat.
- Whether you have pimples or not, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 6% zinc oxide or higher and SPF 30 or higher at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.
- Look for “noncomedogenic” on the sunscreen label to make new pimples less likely.
- Read the ingredients on the product label to know what you’re putting on your skin.
10.KEEP YOUR HAIR AWAY FROM YOUR FACE.
- If you have acne on your forehead and tend to use a lot of hair product, consider avoiding it.
- If you have oily hair, you may need to wash it more often than people who have dry hair.
- Keeping your hair clean — and off of your face — will help prevent breakouts on the forehead and face.
- Avoid using fragrances, oils, pomades, or gels on your hair. If they get on your face, they can block your skin’s pores and irritate your skin.
- Headbands that cover your forehead can encourage acne, too, by keeping sweat in place.
- Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Oily hair can add to the oil on your face, so wash your hair often, especially if you’re breaking out.
- If have long hair,Keep it pulled away from your face.
- Keep hair clean
- If excess oil in the hair travels to the skin, it can worsen acne.Regularly washing the hair may stop acne from developing, especially close to the hairline.
11) DONOT TAKE STRESS.
- Stress doesn’t cause pimples, but it may make them worse.
- According to the American Academy of Dermatology, research has shown that when you’re stressed, your body produces more oil-stimulating hormones.
- Stress often causes inflammation, which can make breakouts worse.
Some options to help you manage stress are:
- morning walks in parks and unpolluted places
- yoga
- meditation
- journaling
- massage
- aromatherapy
- relaxing before bed by reading or taking a bath
- spending time in nature
- engaging in hobbies
- Exercise daily. Regular exercise is good for your whole body, including your skin.
- Doing pranayama
12.AVOID JUNK FOOD,IF U WANT TO PREVENT ACNE.
- This is well known fact,what we eat decides what we will be.
- According to a 2010 review, eating a high glycemic diet may cause acne
- High glycemic foods and beverages such as chips, baked goods made with white flour, and soft drinks spike blood sugar levels and are often less nutritious than low glycemic foods.
- The study also found eating dairy may trigger pimples.
- These potentially problematic foods are sugary and high in carbohydrates. Some examples include:
- cookies
- cakes
- pies
- You person may want to cut back on a particular food group, to see if their skin improves.
- Most experts agree that certain foods, like chocolate, don’t cause pimples.
- Still, it makes sense to avoid greasy food and junk food and add more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Keep a food diary to determine if a specific food triggers your breakouts. Eating an overall healthy diet is always good advice, and it may also help your skin stay clearer.
Nice post..very well written in simple language…thank you.