Tips to Prevent Acne Outbreaks
There is no cure for acne. But there are steps you can take to prevent or lessen acne outbreaks from occurring. When outbreaks do occur, there are some basic acne prevention steps you can take to reduce the severity of your outbreaks and the frequency of future outbreaks.
Here are some basic steps you can take to prevent acne from forming in the first place or to alleviate the symptoms of acne when the first pimple appears.
Keep your body hydrated: While drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will not guarantee that you’ll be acne-free, water is vital for the entire health of the body. Water is essential to your body’s ability to get rid of toxins and to keep skin clear and healthy from the inside out.
Keep your face clean: Keep your hands off your face. Don’t touch your face or lean on objects such as sunglasses or telephones that most likely carry bacteria that can get into your pores and cause pimples or zits. Clean your face twice a day using a mild cleanser that is correct for your skin type. Avoid excessive or repeated skin washing. There is no need to use harsh cleansers that may irritate your skin and aggravate your acne. Rinse your face off with plenty of warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Don’t squeeze your pimples: The worst thing you can do is to squeeze or pop your pimples. Squeezing your pimples may rupture the infected pores and spread the bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to severe swelling and redness. Popping pimples, or zits, may also lead to permanent scarring that will be with you long after the pimples are gone.
Don’t wear makeup: Avoid using makeup to cover your acne. If you do use make-up, use oil-free make-up and hair care products that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic. These products are made to not clog your pores which can lead to acne. Remove all your makeup and clean your face before going to bed for the night.
Keep your hair clean: Make sure to wash your hair regularly and keep it off your face.
Protect your skin from the Sun: Some sun is good for acne prevention but avoid getting sunburned. Sunburns will aggravate your acne condition and over time, too much sun will damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.
Eat a healthy diet: A daily diet of at least four to five servings of green leafy vegetables and fruits will help prevent or lessen the frequency and severity of your acne. Try to avoid depending on supplements alone and instead eat the actual foods that will give you the minerals and vitamins your body needs.
If all your efforts to manage your acne by following these tips don’t seem to clear up the acne, consult with your dermatologist to find the best alternative acne treatments that might work to get rid of your acne.
