Unless you’re one of the extremely lucky few who has never experienced an acne blemish, you’ve probably tried a variety of ways to prevent and treat those bothersome breakouts. Although it is most common in teenagers because of hormonal changes related to puberty, acne can affect people of all ages. The glands in our pores produce oil to help remove dead cells and keep our skin hydrated, but dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria can accumulate on the skin when too much oil is produced. This clogs the pores and can cause blemishes.
Washing your skin with a mild, non-drying soap in the morning, at night, and after exercising can help prevent acne by removing the pore-clogging agents. To fend off acne, most of us know what to avoid, such as using greasy cosmetics and touching our faces, but it may surprise many of you that the following tendencies can also lead to acne.
Flying
The air inside of airplanes is usually a combination of air from outside the cabin and highly filtered recirculated air. Because the air at higher altitudes is very dry, our skin is exposed to very low humidity, which can cause the cells to become dehydrated. These dry skin cells build up and absorb oil in the pores, causing acne. To help you get to your destination without stowaway pimples, apply a hydrating serum before your flight and gently exfoliate your skin after landing.
Grimy Brushes
Many people take the time to find cosmetics that will not clog their pores, but they may not realize that their makeup applicators can be an acne-causing culprit. The bristles in makeup brushes easily collect dirt, oil, and bacteria in a short amount of time. Wash your makeup brushes once a week with shampoo and warm water, and let them air-dry on a clean cloth or paper towel. This will decrease your chances of experiencing a breakout from using dirty brushes on your skin.
Excess Exfoliation
Using an exfoliating scrub (after cleansing first) is a great way to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy skin. However, exfoliating too often can dry and irritate the skin, which can cause inflammation and the overproduction of oil, leading to clogged pores. Depending on your skin type, scrubs should be used only once or twice a week. Since this process can dry out the skin, make sure to moisturize after exfoliation.
If you’ve tried to eliminate stubborn acne to no avail, Colorado Skin & Vein offers Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). This therapy combines a topical chemical and light to eliminate resistant acne and other skin lesions. Please call (303) 683-3235 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule your consultation and start your journey to healthy, clear skin!
