Acne is a disease that causes the skin’s fat glands to clog, forming inflammation and rashes, which are pimples. It is caused by the combination of several factors, which involve excess production of oil by the skin, accumulation of bacteria, tendency to inflammation, hormonal dysregulation and tendency to accumulation of dead cells and tissues.
The pimple can be either the external type, which is easier to identify, or the internal type, which happens because the sebaceous gland obstruction has not found an outlet outside the skin, getting trapped inside a cyst, which can be very painful, however, the treatment is the same. Better understand the different types of acne and what to do.
To avoid the appearance of pimples, it is important to keep the skin clean, use products that remove excess oil and dead cells, in addition to having a healthy diet that reduces skin inflammation, based on whole grains and foods rich in omega- 3, such as salmon and sardines.
Skin changes that facilitate the appearance of pimples are triggered by factors such as:
1. Adolescence
During adolescence, especially between 12 and 18 years of age, pimples form more commonly, as during this period there is an increase in the production of androgenic hormones by the body, such as testosterone, which stimulate the production of oil.
However, pimples can appear at any age, and it is not uncommon in women after 30 years of age, called tardive acne, which can be caused by changes in the amount of sebum or keratin produced on the skin or by a greater accumulation of bacteria, by example.
how to treat: it is necessary to consult with a dermatologist to assess the type of skin and prescribe medications such as lotions or creams that may improve the health of the skin and reduce the production of pimples.
2. Incorrect skin cleaning
Skin that is not well sanitized can build up oil, which clogs the pores and facilitates blackhead formation and pimple development.
how to treat: the face should be washed at least twice a day, when getting up and especially when sleeping, to remove excess dirt from the skin throughout the day. Very oily skin can be washed up to 3 to 4 times a day. Preferably, specific products for the type of skin should be used, guided after evaluation by the dermatologist.
3. Do not remove makeup
Makeup should be removed as soon as possible, as the build-up on the skin also causes clogging of pores and facilitates the formation of blackheads and pimples, especially low-quality products that are made from oils.
how to treat: for those who are prone to acne, it is recommended to use specific makeup for oily skin, water-based, however the ideal thing is to try to leave the skin as natural as possible, in addition to always removing all makeup with makeup remover when you get home.
4. Use very fatty products
The use of sunscreen or very oily or greasy moisturizing creams, not ideal for every type of skin, increases the formation of blackheads and pimples.
how to treat: one should always try to choose specific products for the type of skin, and which are called “non-comedogenic”, as they are the ones that cause the least tendency to clog the skin’s pores.
5. Consumption of some foods
Consuming inflammatory foods for the skin, such as milk, sweets, carbohydrates and fried foods, can increase the chances of acne, as they alter hormone production and stimulate skin inflammation and the appearance of blackheads and pimples.
how to treat: avoid a diet rich in carbohydrates, fats and prefer to focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, vegetables, omega-3s and water, as they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
6. Having a hormonal disease
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease that increases the production of androgens, which are male hormones that work by increasing the production of oil in the skin and making it more prone to the production of acne.
how to treat: the treatment for this syndrome can be done with the use of contraceptives or others capable of regulating hormones.
7. Reaction to medications
Certain medications can cause skin inflammation reactions as a side effect, with the formation of acne, and a common example is the use of steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs.
how to treat: when possible, talk to the doctor about the possibility of changing the medication, however, it is possible to take measures to reduce acne while using the medication, such as using cleansing lotions or creams that reduce acne formation, such as retinoic acid, for example.
8. Too much sun
Exposing yourself to the sun excessively can form pimples, as UV radiation can accelerate the skin’s inflammation and oil production, which facilitates the production of acne.
how to treat: avoid exposing yourself too much to the sun, preferring times with less incidence of UV radiation, such as before 10 am or after 4 pm. In addition to always protecting yourself with adequate sunscreen.
9. Genetic predisposition
Having favorable genetics is one of the main factors for the formation of acne, especially in those who have excessive or very large pimples, as these people have a greater tendency to have immune reactions and form inflammatory skin lesions.
how to treat: the treatment is done with topical products, prescribed by the dermatologist, and in more severe cases, such as grade II or IV acne, for example, it may be necessary to use medication in pills, such as antibiotics or isotretinoin, for example.
10. Pregnancy
Being pregnant can cause the production of pimples, which only happens in some women, due to the increase in progesterone, which increases oiliness.
how to treat: you are advised to choose to wash the skin with mild or mild soap twice a day and always apply a tonic lotion after washing and drying your face. Treatments with pills, acids or cosmetic procedures should be avoided during this period. Learn more about what to do in case of pimples during pregnancy.
How to avoid pimples
To avoid the appearance of pimples, you must take some precautions, such as:
- Avoid sweets and fried foods, as well as alcoholic and carbonated drinks, as they make digestion difficult and damage the skin;
- Have a diet rich in omega 3, zinc and antioxidants such as salmon, sunflower seeds, fruits and vegetables because they are rich in important substances to help reduce skin inflammation;
- Cleanse the skin with cosmetic products suitable for oily skin twice a day, morning and night, and soaps with acetylsalicylic acid are a good option;
- Put on a sunscreen oil free for the face before applying makeup, even if it already has some protection factor, to protect the skin against the harmful effects of the sun;
- Do a light exfoliation once a week to remove dead cells.
Check out more tips from the nutritionist for a diet that avoids this problem:
How is the treatment done
When acne cannot be avoided, treatment should preferably be done with the use of topical products, such as skin cleansing lotions or creams that prevent the formation of lesions, such as retinoic acid, salicylic acid, adapalene or benzoyl peroxide , for example, prescribed by a Dermatologist, and can be purchased or prepared in compounding pharmacies.
Other options, more used in resistant or more severe acne, are the use of antibiotics, such as Tetracycline or Erythromycin, or, as a last resort, the use of Isotretinoin, known as Roaccutane, as they have a more powerful effect in controlling the formation of pimples. . It is important that these remedies are only used under the guidance of a Dermatologist, due to the risk of side effects.
To avoid the use of medication, there are also radiofrequency techniques, phototherapy with special lights, laser and pulsed light that are very useful to reduce and deflate the acne region. Learn more about pimple treatment options.
