Acne: 5 Essential Tips for Prevention and Treatment!

Acne, in its simple form, is one of the most common cutaneous pathologies in the world population. Although it has a special impact on adolescence and youth – studies in Portugal show that it mainly affects young people up to 24 years old – many adults suffer from this problem.

Acne is a condition resulting from the accumulation of impurities and oilyness in the skin. Its main symptoms are called pimples – prominent forms on the face, usually of reddish color.

As a rule, one of the main areas affected by acne is the face, which makes the disease more distressing. Other parts of the body where it is also possible to find signs of this pathology are the neck, back, chest and shoulders.

There are several potentiating causes of this problem, which vary depending on the type of acne of each patient, as detailed later in this article. However, the most common reasons are usually linked to issues of skin cleansing, hormonal changes, family history and psychological factors such as stress.

In most cases, the pimples caused by acne disappear completely with time and leave no deep marks. However, in severe or poorly treated cases, the disease leaves permanent scars that can seriously impair the appearance and self-esteem of the affected persons, as with most skin-related problems.

3 Types of Acne

Although perceived by the general population as a unique condition, acne has different degrees that vary depending on the level of infection and which influence possible treatments.

1. Grade 1 or Comedonian Acne – It is the most common type and comes with special incidence in adolescence. Grade 1 cases are considered as cases where acne is mild and has few inflammatory signs.
2. Grade 2 or Pituitary-Pustular Acne – In cases where the infection progresses to grade 2, a greater inflammation is noted. This leads to the creation of pimples, generally reddish and already with secretion.
3. Grade 3 or Deep Acne – Most of the specialized sources divide this type of acne into more than one degree. As a rule, the cases in which there are deeper symptoms of the disease are characterized by the presence of internal nodules in the skin. The pimples are closer and, in the most worrying situations (generally considered grade 4), the infection can have serious effects on the patients’ complexion and appearance.

5 Essential tips for pevention and treatment

1. Adopt a skin cleansing routine

This point is essential for both prevention and treatment of the disease. Contrary to common sense, skin cleaning should not be done with aggressive products. Clean it twice a day. Privileged the abundant use of water and neutral and quality products in your cleaning routine.

2. Reduce the use of make-up

Make-up can be an ally when it comes to disguising the effects of acne. But the truth is that it can also have a negative effect on the disease. In cases of infection, it is advisable to reduce the use of make-up and to favor the use of products that are not made from oils.

3. Have a healthy diet

Recent studies have shown that food consumption, such as chocolate, is not directly linked to acne. However, the fact is that a healthy diet has a positive impact on skin health.

4. Do not squeeze pimples!

Squeezing pimples is one of the most common mistakes when dealing with acne. It can have serious consequences, since it causes scars and aggravates the infection. Our hands are in contact with various surfaces throughout the day. Therefore, they are more likely to transmit diseases and increase the level of oilyness in the skin.

5. Consult a specialist

It is essential to consult a dermatologist to establish your acne level safely and to get a proper treatment. The use of inappropriate products can worsen the disease and even have unwanted side effects.

Follow these basic tips and, above all, do not worry too much. Acne is an uncomfortable but perfectly treatable problem. There are several therapies suitable to cure the disease and even new laser procedures to eliminate the scars.