Not gonna lie, adulting is tough. But to top it all off, you realise that you are breaking out and your acne is like a recurring nightmare that comes back to haunt you. Can you relate? If so, this article will explore more about this issue and how you can overcome it using acne treatment in Singapore.
But before that, let’s shed some light on just what acne is and its various forms.
Types of Acne
Blackheads
One one of the most common types of acne, blackheads appear when oil and dead skin cells clog the pores. Despite being blocked, the top of the pores remain open, which results in the black appearance seen on its surface.
Whiteheads
Similar to blackheads, whiteheads form when the pores get clogged by a combination of oil and dead skin cells. The difference is that these pores are closed, resulting in a whitish appearance and look like small bumps protruding from the skin.
Papules
These are inflamed acne that appears as small red bumps that are solid, small, and rounded.
Pustules
These are papules that are filled with white or yellow pus and usually appear as white bumps surrounded by red skin.
Nodules
When clogged pores are further irritated, they result in small bumps called nodules that are embedded deep in the skin. Nodules can be painful and require prescription medication to clear them up.
Cysts
Cysts occur when oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells clog the pores and they develop deep within the skin—deeper than nodules—and is usually filled with pus.
Common Areas For Acne
Acne commonly develops in the following areas:
- Face
- Forehead
- Chest
- Upper back
- Shoulders
Reasons Acne Comes Back
Recurring acne in adulthood happens for a number of reasons, and these are some of the common ones:
Hormones
As our body undergoes hormonal changes, it increases the amount of oil, or sebum, our skin produces. Because acne is formed by a buildup of sebum and bacteria, this increased oil production then results in an outbreak of acne. Hormonal changes in the body could be due to PCOS, one’s menstrual cycle, starting, stopping, or changing birth control pills, increased testosterone levels, pregnancy and childbirth, nursing, menopause, perimenopause, and andropause.
Stress
Besides the natural reasons listed above, other factors can lead hormonal changes, and one of them could be stress. While stress does not directly affect acne outbreak, it does contribute to the production of acne, or the difficulty in clearing them.
Stress causes the body to produce excess cortisol and other hormones in response, and these chemicals trigger the overproduction of oil in our skin, hence leading to the increased chances of developing acne.
Research has also found that stress lowers our body’s efficiency in healing wounds, including acne. Hence it may seem like you are experiencing more acne because of your body’s inability to clear them up when under stress.
Diet
If you’re experiencing recurring acne in adulthood, you should relook your diet. It could be that your skin is reacting negatively to certain foods such as dairy products or certain carbohydrates as you age, hence resulting in an outbreak of acne.
Try readjusting your diet and cutting down on excessively sugary or processed foods. If you are an avid snacker, then it could be time to switch them up with healthier alternatives that are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or Omega 3 Fatty Acid.
Sleeping habits
Whether it’s Revenge Bedtime Procrastination or a busy schedule, if you’re not getting enough sleep, that could be a reason for your recurring acne. When we sleep, our body systems relax and our cells regenerate. A good night’s rest also helps lower stress levels and overactive hormones, which we know result in excess sebum that can promote acne growth.
Now let’s look at some areas of the face that acne commonly appear in and why.
Lower Face
Pimples in the lower part of the face such as the jaw and chin are often associated with hormonal changes such as when women are going through menstruation, and they are usually cystic acne.
Forehead
The T-zone, where the forehead lies, is the oiliest part of our face. So it’s no surprise that the T-zone always sees recurring acne, usually in the form of papules or pustules. Hence, it is important to keep this area clean and free of dirt to reduce bacteria and oil buildup.
Nose
The nose is also part of the T-zone, and one of the most common areas for acne to develop due to accumulation of oil in that area. However, nose acne usually appears in the form of blackheads, and cystic acne is not common.
How To Treat Acne
1. Spot Treatment and Medication
Different acne types call for different treatment methods. There are several over-the-counter creams and medicines that you can purchase at your local pharmacy.
These treatments include:
- hydroxy acids and other beneficial acids
- oral birth control pills
- antibiotics, including sarecycline (Seysara)
- retinol, or its prescription form, retin-A
- salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide
2. Removing Dirt From Face
It is vital to keep your face clean and free from dirty as much as possible, which means to avoid touching your face unnecessarily or placing anything on it. If you are wearing headbands or caps, make sure they are cleaned regularly. Wash your pillow cases regularly as well as we spend pretty much most of the nights with our cheeks touching the case.
3. Exfoliate
What do you do when you look in the mirror to find that blackheads have accumulated on our nose, or face? Most of us would be tempted to pick at them. But let’s make it a resolution to stop doing that this new year, but to try exfoliating instead. This step helps prevent breakouts as well as keep our pores clear by removing blockages. That said, do exfoliate moderately depending on your skin type, about one to three times a week, as doing this too often can irritate your skin, causing it to be dry and flaky.
4. Consulting Your Doctor
Now, many people may think that pimples are part and parcel of growing up and self-medicate without realising that doctors are actually able to help! So, if you think that an acne on your face is worrisome, it is worthwhile to make a trip to your doctor and find out how to treat it.
All in all, acne is a natural occurrence but it can definitely be treated or prevented. Our doctors at Eeva Medical Aesthetic Clinic are trained and equipped to help you with your acne troubles. Check out our website for more details on acne treatment in Singapore or contact us at +65 9457 9225 for more information! We are always happy to help!