Are you wondering how to know if you have acne-prone skin? Worry not; in this post, we will look at acne-prone skin, how to tell if you have acne-prone skin, the causes of acne-prone skin, and the possible ways to manage acne-prone skin.
You can tell if you have acne-prone skin if you repeatedly get breakouts. This implies that your pores clog easily, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples more than other kinds of skins. You may have dry or oily skin and still be prone to acne.
Therefore, acne is a skin illness when your hair follicles are plugged with dead skin cells and oil. It causes pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Skin prone to acne is most common to teenagers, but it affects individuals of all ages.
I have fought with acne for the past 2years. The worst feeling a woman can experience is a lack of confidence. I used to stay in my house most of the time since I avoided meeting with my friends to avoid questions like, what happened to your face?
Acne can be persistent, and therefore it needs a lot of patience. I remember I used to look myself in the mirror and cry a lot; thank God I had a supportive husband who was always there for me. The bumps and pimples healed slowly, I would look myself in the mirror to see which had begun to go away, but to my shock, I would see others crop up.
However, I managed to overcome the condition despite the struggle by starting treatment as early as possible.
What are the symptoms of acne prone skin?
The signs of acne can differ based on the condition’s severity.
- Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)
- Blackheads (open plugged pore)
- Tender bumps, small red(papules)
- Pimples (pustule) containing pus on the top
- A large, solid lump that is painful under the skin(nodule)
- Pus-filled limbs which are painful under the skin (cystic lesions)
Acne normally appears on the forehead, face, chest, shoulders, and upper back.
What causes acne-prone skin?
Four key factors cause acne:
- Excess oil (sebum) production
- Hair follicles clogged by dead skin cells and oil
- Bacterial
- Inflammation
The follicle wall may swell and remove a whitehead. The plug may sometimes be open to the surface, which may darken and cause a blackhead. A blackhead may appear like dirt stuck in the pores. However, the pore is filled with oil and bacteria, which would turn brownish once exposed to the air.
Pimples are red spots having a white center that is formed when blocked hair follicles are infected with bacteria or become inflamed. Inflammation and blockages inside the hair follicles develop cyst-like lumps under your skin surface.
What may worsen or trigger acne
Hormonal changes
Androgen is a hormone that increases in girls and boys in puberty, causing the sebaceous glands to expand and produce more sebum. Hormone changes in midlife, specifically in women, can lead to breakouts too.
Certain medications
Drugs containing testosterone, corticosteroids, or lithium may worsen acne.
Diet
Studies show that eating certain foods such as carbohydrate-rich foods (chips, bread, bagels) may worsen acne (But is Papaya good for acne prone skin?).
Stress
Stress does not cause acne. However, if you already have acne, stress may worsen it.
Tips to follow to prevent acne breakouts
Treating acne does not always involve trying different products. It comprises simple lifestyle changes and careful cleansing.
Effective preventions include:
- Ensuring that you wash your face at least twice a day and every time you sweat
- Being gentle on your skin by avoiding hard scrubs
- Do not pop or pick
- If you do it, make sure to use safe extraction ways with a specialized dermatologist
- Regularly wash the items that touch your skin
- Using non-comedogenic products
- Staying hydrated
When to visit a dermatologist
Mild acne can be cured with the assistance of over-counter medication; however, if it does not improve, it’s advisable to make an appointment with a specialized dermatologist.
This is in moderate or severe acne cases like cystic acne or the acne that scares your skin. This type of acne needs prescription medication.
Conclusion
How to know if you have acne-prone skin? If you get repeated breakouts, you can simply know if your skin is prone to acne. This implies that your pores clog easily, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples more than other kinds of skins. You may have dry or oily skin and still be prone to acne.
In the post, I have covered:
- What are the symptoms of acne-prone skin?
- What are the causes of acne-prone skin?
- What may worsen or trigger acne
- Tips to follow to prevent acne breakouts
- When to visit a dermatologist
The above information may be helpful to people who want to know if their skin is prone to acne and those who are already dealing with the acne condition.
