By Dr. Stacy Matthews
Acne is a condition of the skin affecting the hair follicles and oil glands. When these become blocked by sebum (medical term for waxy oil produced by glands in your skin), dead skin cells, and bacteria, typical lesions and inflammatory responses occur. Acne can be caused by hormonal changes, stress, or plain genetics. People often make some common mistakes when trying to effectively treat their acne, ultimately worsening the condition or making it difficult to clear. Some of these mistakes can be responsible for the permanent scarring or spots many end up having. Recognizing these 8 common skincare mistakes and treatments can help you obtain the best results in controlling acne.
#1 Over cleansing - Aggressive cleaning can make acne worse due to the skin irritation and over drying. Gentle cleansing and toning with a non-alcohol based product such as Cytotone Waterless Cleanser can be used on different skin types to provide pH-balanced skin cleansing.
#2 Popping pimples - This is a sure way to make healing difficult because bacteria can infect the skin, irritation can increase, and the chances of scaring are greater. Instead of popping pimples, use of MatrX B Response Gel can help to relieve inflammation from acne, sooth irritation, and reduce swelling.
#3 Not seeing a doctor - Being examined by your doctor can help you to avoid many self-treatment mistakes and determine if there is some underlying cause that needs to be addressed.
#4 Improper use of medication - Over or under applying a prescribed medical treatment can retard healing. Overuse of treatment enhances irritation and underuse fails to achieve desired effects. Stopping acne treatment too early will not give the process of healing sufficient time. Some do not realize that abruptly stopping the use of anti-acne medication as soon as pimples are gone can lead to a reappearance weeks later. It is best to taper down and continue using a product once or twice a week to keep acne from returning.
#5 Using too many products simultaneously - Multiple products can interfere with the efficacy of an individual product, cause more irritation, and increase the risk of scar formation. A two or three-step approach using Seaside's Cytotone Cleanser and Toner followed by The Response Gel and an oil-free moisturizer can simplify and streamline your daily regimen while providing effective acne control.
#6 Using incompatible skincare products - Lotions and cosmetics that are not designed for acne-prone skin adds insult to injury. Stick to products that are formulated for your type of skin. Avoidance of non-alcohol based toners, harsh cleansers, and antimicrobial washes on daily basis is sure way to prevent aggravation of blemishes.
#7 Failure to hydrate the skin - Stripping the natural moisture from the skin on a daily basis with harsh cleansers or antimicrobial washes is actually counterproductive. All skin must be moisturized. This will not make acne worse as long as an oil-based moisturizer is avoided.
#8 Forgetting overall self-care - Diet and hormonal status are important aspects of acne development. Your healthcare provider will help you to determine what to focus on regarding diet, life-style, and exposures that can provoke acne and delay healing.
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