8 Surprising Facts About Acne
1. It's the most common skin condition in the United States. According to the Academy of Dermatology, mild to moderate acne affects between 40 and 50 million Americans. And while acne usually begins in puberty and affects almost 100% of teenagers, acne is not restricted to any age group. In fact, acne affects 20% of adults between the ages of 25 and 44.
2. There's only one way to get a pimple. When your face's oil glands overproduce oil and combines with dead skin cells, it blocks your pores and hair follicles. Then, bacteria develop in those clogged follicles and pores, causing a breakout.
3. But outside triggers can make breakouts worse. Heredity, hormones, and environmental factors can determine how bad you break out. And stress, diet, exercise, and how you care for your skin also plays a part. Other hidden culprits? A dirty cell phone, used yoga mats, and pillowcases, all of which are full of dirt, bacteria, and oil.
4. There are six types of pimples. Blackheads and whiteheads are slightly raised bumps that are caused by oil, dead skin cell, and bacteria buildup that blocks your pores.
Papules and pustules are larger bumps that are caused when blocked pores become irritated. Papules are hard, raised bumps that might be tender to touch. Pustules (which are often confused with whiteheads) are topped with white or yellow pus-filled lesions and are red at the base.
Nodules and cysts are deeper pimples that should be treated by a dermatologist. They are usually very large, painful, and solid. (Cysts are pus-filled.)
5. Washing your face a lot won't clear up blemishes. Over exfoliating and over cleansing can exacerbate your acne problems. It irritates and dries your skin out, which makes you produce more oil. And overdoing it with acne treatments can have the same effect. So, stick to a morning and night regimen — cleanse, medicate, and moisturize.
6. Chocolate doesn't cause breakouts.
Neither does pizza or fries. Actually, there's little evidence that specific foods actually do cause acne. Although, staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet can help improve skin.
7. Makeup with mineral oil can aggravate acne. Actually, anything made with oil can. And that includes your moisturizer or hair products that might seep onto your face. Instead, look for products that are oil-free or that say "noncomedogenic" on the label.
8. Sun exposure can help minimize breakouts. Spending small amounts of time in the sun can be beneficial for acne — 10 to 20 minutes is ideal. But too much sun exposure can be a bad thing: It can cause more breakouts and darken existing acne scars. And no matter how long you're in the sun, wearing sunscreen or an oil-free moisturizer with SPF is a must.
If you or someone you know is suffering from acne and need to see a Dermatologist now, but an appointment isn’t available for MONTHS then give us a call. At DermDox Dermatology you don’t have to wait. Immediate appointments are available all our locations; Sugarloaf, Mechanicsburg, Leola & Camp Hill… Call now or click to schedule online.
