Acne: Tips for managing
10 skin care habits that can help clear acne
Are you faithfully treating your acne but still seeing new breakouts? Your skin care routine could be to blame. Here are 10 skin care habits that dermatologists recommend to help you get the best results from your acne treatment:
Wash twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, can make acne worse, so wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.
Use your fingertips to apply a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser. Using a washcloth, mesh sponge, or anything else can irritate the skin.
Be gentle with your skin. Use gentle products, such as those that are alcohol-free. Do not use products that irritate your skin, which may include astringents, toners and exfoliants. Dry, red skin makes acne appear worse.
Scrubbing your skin can make acne worse. Avoid the temptation to scrub your skin.
Rinse with lukewarm water
Shampoo regularly. If you have oily hair, shampoo daily.
Let your skin heal naturally. If you pick, pop, or squeeze your acne, your skin will take longer to clear and you increase the risk of getting acne scars.
Keep your hands off your face. Touching your skin throughout the day can cause flare-ups.
Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. Tanning damages your skin. In addition, some acne medications make the skin very sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, which you get from both the sun and indoor tanning devices.
Using tanning beds increases your risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75%.
Consult a dermatologist if:
Your acne makes you shy or embarrassed.
The products you've tried have not worked.
Your acne is leaving scars or darkening your skin.
Today, virtually every case of acne can be successfully treated. Dermatologists can help treat existing acne, prevent new breakouts, and reduce your chance of developing scars. If you have questions or concerns about caring for your skin, you should make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
How to treat a deep, painful pimple
Although acne comes in many forms, including blackheads and whiteheads, the most severe type of acne is a pimple that develops deep in the skin, causing a red, swollen, and painful bump.
To treat this type of pimple at home, follow these tips from dermatologists to alleviate pain and reduce the pimple’s size, swelling, and redness.
Related AAD resources
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