Top 10 Ways to Avoid an Acne Breakout
1. Wash your face twice a day: Washing with a gentle cleanser helps to remove dirt and grime that builds up in the pores from makeup and environmental exposures. Patients with acne-prone skin can use a medicated cleanser containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide once a day.
2. Use a retinoid: Retinoids not only make the skin healthier, but they clean out the pores to prevent acne-causing bacteria from congregating in the area.
3. Avoid popping pimples: Popping pimples at home leads to more inflammation on the skin, which can attract acne-causing bacteria, resulting in future acne lesions.
4. Ask for a cleansing brush this holiday season: Cleansing brushes, such as the Clarisonic Mia, clean the pores up to six times more effectively than traditional facial cleansing alone. They are waterproof, so they can be left in the shower for back and chest treatments if necessary.
5. Maintenance treatments: After completing laser treatments for acne, some patients require maintenance treatments 2-4 times a year. Many patients find that having a quarterly Isolaz treatment helps to avoid an acne breakout when stress levels are high.
6. Buy travel size products: Just because you are traveling, doesn’t mean that you should forget about your regular acne regimen. Buy travel size products when possible and ask your dermatologist for samples of your topical acne medications for use while traveling.
7. Keep stress levels low: Managing your stress helps to prevent acne breakouts, because as stress levels increase, the hormone cortisol is released. This can result in more acne breakouts than usual.
8. Visit your dermatologist: Even after your skin is clear, it is advised to check in with your dermatologist once or twice yearly. As your skin changes, the needs of your skin may also change. It is important to make certain that you are using the best acne fighting regimen for the needs of your skin at any particular time.
9. Look for ‘non-comedogenic’ products: All moisturizers, sunscreens, and makeup should be labeled ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘non-acnegenic.’ These phrases indicate the the product has been scientifically proven not to contribute to the formation of acne.
