Everyone will have to fight with acne. Nobody is born immune to it because all of our bodies excrete oil and all of us have pores with the potential to clog. The most common form of acne is called Acne Vulgaris and presents predominantly on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. Severe cases of acne may result in scarring, a small percentage of which can be permanent even with laser and other corrective treatments. To prevent such a situation from happening, it’s important to stay on top of Dermatology Associates of Atlanta’s do’s and don’ts when it comes to acne prevention.

There are several risk factors to be aware of when it comes to triggering an acne outbreak. Wearing oil-based cosmetics can clog pores quickly; if you wear makeup, be sure to remove it at night. If possible, try natural cosmetics instead of chemical-based products. Pricking pimples is difficult not to do, but it’s important to realize this action can worsen acne and even infect the pricked area. There are some triggers more difficult to control, like your level of emotional stress, pregnancy, the period preceding menstruation, or your level of testosterone. A few ways to prevent acne breakouts are available to everyone, though. Drinking 2 liters of water each day is enough to keep you hydrated and your pores from clogging. Making sure you’re eating a healthy diet is important not just for acne prevention, but your health overall. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, foods low in fat, and make sure you’re getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.

Prevention is not always enough. When acne does flare up, what are your options? Most people opt for skin cleansers, over-the-counter medications, or prescribed oral drugs. Skin cleansers contain the ingredient salicylic acid in varying concentrations which serves to unclog pores. Over-the-counter medications serve the same purpose, with benzoyl peroxide leading the pack in topical acne treatments. Oral drugs serve to reduce the production of oil, kill bacteria, and control inflammation. They range widely in potency with Accutane being the strongest.

Modern acne treatments bypass these three options by offering luxurious experiences like Microdermabrasion or Laser treatments. Microdermabrasion peels the top layer of skin off affected areas, resulting in open comedones (blackheads) and unclogged pores, eliminating acne. Laser treatments use a low-level beam to burn oil-producing glands, eliminating clogged pores and killing any bacterium. We also offer a variety of facials at our Skin Medics™ Medical Spa to cleanse the pores and give your skin a softer, smoother look.

With all this knowledge at your disposal, we hope you will come see us at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta for all your dermatological needs. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and are willing to give you the treatment you deserve.

Some of the tips provided in this post were derived from this website and we thank them for their ideas!