Tackle Acne Early

Tackle Acne Early

As if body odor, raging hormones, and general awkwardness aren’t enough, puberty usually comes with an unwelcome case of acne, too. Teens and pre-teens aren’t the only victims, though — dermatologists sometimes see patients as young as 7 exhibiting symptoms, and others battling acne well into adulthood. So, it’s no surprise that most doctors recommend patients begin treatment at the first signs of acne, helping build healthy habits against a condition they could end up fighting for decades. Read on for more “whys and ways” to treat acne early.

Whys

• Hooray for hygiene: Being the most obvious solution doesn’t make daily face-washing any less important! Gently washing your face twice a day with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap goes a long way toward preventing acne and recovering from breakouts faster. When you do notice acne symptoms, be particularly gentle — aggressive scrubbing can damage skin and make it more susceptible to acne.

• Stop scars and spots: Even those suffering from mild acne can experience scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), leaving visible evidence of acne long after a breakout has cleared. Treating acne early on may decrease the severity of your symptoms and help clear breakouts faster. This, in turn, reduces the opportunity to pick at pimples, which can cause lasting skin damage.

• Keep it under control: If mild acne goes untreated, it’s more likely to become severe acne. With severe acne, you can expect to battle breakouts more frequently and farther into the future than if you had started treatment in the early stages. Patients with severe acne are also more apt to experience permanent scarring and blemishes.

Ways

• Healthy habits: As mentioned above, starting treatment early gets acne sufferers used to a skincare regimen that can reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts. Making classic pimple-preventing tactics part of your daily routine ensures you’re getting (and staying) ahead of the problem.

• Be picky about your products: Chances are good that your skincare routine isn’t just about getting stuff off your skin, but includes putting products on it, as well. If you begin seeing signs of acne, take another look at the cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup you use — it might be time to switch things up. Avoid products that contain oils and fragrances, and seek out products labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means they won’t clog pores.

• Stop squeezing: As tempting as it can be, squeezing or popping pimples can actually drive some of the bacteria that are causing acne deeper into your skin. Instead, avoid touching, rubbing, and picking at pimples as much as possible. If a whitehead appears, you can gently encourage the natural “bursting” process by applying a hot towel to the area for a minute or two to soften the whitehead and wipe it away.

If you’re experiencing acne symptoms — regardless of your age — you’re not alone. Educate yourself on how to spot and treat acne early, and if your symptoms persist or worsen, contact your dermatologist for the appropriate treatment.