As a teen I struggled with acne and was counting down the days to when I entered adulthood and all my acne nightmares would be behind me. Then all of sudden I’m 30 and to my surprise my acne is still haunting me! Evidently, I am one of the unlucky ones that will continue to get acne through adulthood BUT the type of acne I had has changed over time.
Type of acne? Aren’t they all the same? Well I can tell you, they are NOT and I would give my left pinky to go back to the so called “acne” I had as a teen compared to what I struggle with now!
Since this skin condition is sticking around, I decided to do some research. What exactly is acne? Well, acne occurs when a hair follicle gets clogged with dead skin cells, oil and bacteria but the different types of acne are not created equal. There are types worse than others and require the attention of a dermatologist.
Here are the 3 types of acne:
As far as acne prevention, it can come down to why you are getting this skin condition. Is it due to hormonal changes, using greasy make-up, taking certain medications or is it hereditary? Your dermatologist can help you determine the WHY but until you figure out the root of the problem, here are some basic things to try to help prevent the different types of acne:
– Wash your face regularly with a mild cleanser.
– Don’t touch your face! Don’t pop pimples, it can make you scar.
– Pay attention to the type of make-up you use. Look for the word non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog pores.
– Shampoo your hair and try to keep your hair away from your face. Especially if you use hair products.
Pretty simple, right? However, if you try at-home options and are unsuccessful at fighting your acne, CALL your dermatologist in Asheville, NC. They have many resources to offer that cannot be found at your local drug store. Options such as a retinoid cream to help with exfoliation and skin cell turnover, birth control that can help get your hormones under control and even procedures like lasers, peels and light therapy that can reach a little deeper! Trust me, it will save you a lot of frustration and tears if you are stressing about your acne!
Looking for an Asheville Dermatology office? Give us a call, 828.585.5489!
