One of the most common & one of the most annoying skin conditions is ACNE. Personally, I’ve been battling my acne since my 20’s and I know how tiring it is to deal with. Unsolicited advice from almost everyone you meet, everyone giving you that pity look, like acne is the first thing they notice. There were times I cried about it and it made a huge impact on my self-confidence. So this blog is close to my heart and I have covered almost everything and all the things I wish I knew before my acne treatment. First of all,
What is Acne
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and dead skin cells.
Acne is more common in older children and teenagers going through puberty when hormones cause the oil glands in the body to produce more oil. The breakouts usually appear on the face, although they can also arise on the back, chest, and shoulders. Blackheads, whiteheads, nodules, and other types of pimples are the result of these blockages.
Types of Acne
Acne can arise in a variety of forms. They include:
Blackheads
Blackheads are open bumps that are filled with Skin debris that mixes with sebum and clogged your pores. They look as if dirt has been deposited in the bump.
Treatment/Remedy:(There’s a procedure to use certain skin products. Kindly do your research before using them)
- Salicylic acid
- Oil-free non-comedogenic products
- Retinol
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are very much Blackheads, the only difference is that the clogged pore is covered by a layer of Skin, while Blackheads are open to the air. The whiteheads are also open bumps filled with Skin debris and sebum.
Treatment/Remedy:(There’s a procedure to use certain skin products. Kindly do your research before using them)
- Salicylic acid
- Oil-free non-comedogenic products
- Retinol
Papules
Papules are the bumps that are inflamed. When the walls around your pores break down due to severe inflammation it ends up as hard, clogged pores, and the skin around these pores are usually pink or red. These pores are soft to touch.
Treatment/Remedy:(There’s a procedure to use certain skin products. Kindly do your research before using them)
- The important thing is to avoid touching it. Avoid irritation. The more you touch it the more time it’s going to take to heal. Use warm water for cleansing.
- Avoid makeup on these pores. Air speeds up the healing process
- Salicylic Acid Cleanser
- Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser
Pustules
These are pimples with pus, unlike papules. These also occur when the walls around your pores break down. The skin around pustules is inflamed and red mostly and these leave scars if picked, popped, or scratched which is so… painful. These are caused due to bacterial growth in clogged pores.
Treatment/Remedy:
- Small ones usually go away without any treatments. But you can also use benzoyl peroxide or any sulfur-based face washes.
Fungal Acne
These types of acne occur due to excessive yeast development in hair follicles. These are often itchy and this itchiness on the bumps are one of the symptoms of fungal acne. But these are not painful. These can worsen with sweating. And moreover, these can end up as whiteheads.
Nodules
These pimples are Solid, Large, and Painful. These are quite deeper than papules and pustules. As usual, these occur due to clogged pores.
Treatment/Remedy:
- Unlike Other pimple types, you cannot treat nodules at home. You have to consult a doctor. If these are not treated at the right time they can develop into larger nodule cysts.
Cysts
The Cyst type occurs when pores get clogged by dead skin, sebum, and bacteria. These are painful and one of the largest forms of acne. These are the result of severe infection and leave scars. These are considered serious types of acne. They contain pus and are in red color.
Treatment/Remedy:
- Like Nodules, you cannot treat cysts at home. You have to consult a doctor.
Milia
A milium cyst is a tiny white bump that occurs on the nose or cheeks. Most of the time these are in groups. These occur when skin debris traps under the surface of the skin. They are white or pale yellow in color.
Treatment/Remedy:
- Avoid excessive exposure to the sun
- Avoid the use of thick creams or oil-based products
- Exfoliate between 2 and 3 times a week
Foods that cause Acne
Diet is one factor that might influence your skin. Although the link between nutrition and acne has been debated, a new study suggests that diet can play a significant influence in acne development. Some foods may worsen your condition, while others may aid in the maintenance of your skin’s health. More research is needed to understand how specific
meals affect the illness. They have, however, looked into a few potential triggers so far.
Refined Carbohydrates and Sugars
- White rice and rice noodles
- Pasta made with white flour
- Sweeteners
- Sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages
- Bread, crackers, cereal, or desserts made with white flour
You’re more likely to have acne if you consume meals and beverages such as soda, white bread, white rice, and cake. These foods’ sugar and carbs are quickly absorbed into your system. This indicates that they have a high glycemic index, a measure of how foods affect blood sugar levels. When your body generates more insulin to lower blood sugar, other hormones are affected, which can cause your skin to produce more oil.
Dairy Products
Although frequent use of dairy products has been related to worsening acne, it is unclear whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship.
Two studies also discovered that young adults who consumed milk or ice cream on a regular basis were four times more likely to develop acne.
You’re more likely to get acne if you consume a lot of milk, especially if it’s skim milk. Scientists are still puzzled as to why this is, but it could be due to hormones produced by pregnant cows and found in their milk. Acne is more common in those who have higher levels of certain hormones in their blood.
Milk is known to increase insulin levels, independent of its effects on blood sugar, which may worsen acne severity.
Fast Food
Acne is closely linked to a Western-style diet that is high in calories, fat, and processed carbs.
Burgers, nuggets, hot dogs, french fries, drinks, and milkshakes are components of the average Western diet and may raise the risk of acne.
Foods Rich in Omega-6 Fats
Large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, such as those found in the average Western diet, have been associated with increased inflammation and acne. They use large amounts of corn and soy oils, which are rich in omega-6 fats.
Chocolate
Although some informal surveys have associated chocolate consumption with an increased chance of getting acne, this is insufficient evidence to conclude that chocolate is the cause of acne.
Although one study indicated that eating chocolate boosted the immune system’s responsiveness to acne-causing bacteria, which may help explain these findings, it’s unclear why chocolate can cause acne.
New evidence suggests a link between eating chocolate and the development of acne, but the reasons for this and the strength of the link are unknown.
Foods that Help treating Acne
Omega-3 fatty acids
- Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory, and studies have linked frequent consumption to a lower risk of acne.
Turmeric
- Turmeric contains the anti-inflammatory polyphenol curcumin, which can help manage blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce acne by preventing the production of acne-causing bacteria.
Green tea
- Green tea includes polyphenols, which have been linked to decreased inflammation and sebum production. When applied to the skin, green tea extracts have been reported to lessen the severity of acne.
Oysters
- They’re high in zinc, a vitamin that’s beneficial to your skin. It may, among other things, aid in the killing of germs that cause acne. It also appears to aid the body’s ability to prevent producing chemicals that might cause inflammation, which is connected to acne. However, too much zinc might be harmful to one’s health. Adults should not exceed 40 milligrams per day.
Other than the above, there are also other foods that might help treat acne which includes,
- tomatoes
- whole-wheat bread
- yellow and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apricots, and sweet potatoes
- brown rice
- spinach and other dark green and leafy vegetables
- blueberries
The key is to maintain balance. A proper healthy diet is going to result in a better version of yourself. But don’t forget that its okay to have cheat days when needed :)
Instant/Overnight solution for Acne
Like who doesn’t want one. Unfortunately, we don’t have one yet. But we do have a temporary solution and that is “The Pimple Patch”. I use this when I have an important event or a dinner date the next day. These were my lifesavers and you can definitely trust them when you have to remove a pimple instantly(And yeah I don’t recommend popping pimples. It might be instant or satisfying at the moment but they leave a scar and leave the skin irritated).
The extra fluids surrounding a pimple, such as pus or oil, are absorbed by an acne patch. This prevents your skin from collecting germs from your fingers’ pus, oil, or dirt. This creates a more clean environment for your pimple, which can help to avoid scarring and speed healing.
These patches are usually stickers that contain hydrocolloid gel, which is a wound-healing gel that can suck oil and germs away from pimples.
You have to just stick it on the pimple and leave it on for a few hours. Some products are acceptable for use throughout the day because they are hardly obvious, whereas others can be used before going to bed.
I’m leaving the link for the one that I have used. Click Here. Please note that there are plenty of so-called pimple patches, but honestly most of them don’t work. Do your own research before buying the product
Conclusion
Acne may usually be treated at home, while some cases are more serious. If you don’t notice an improvement after using proper skincare, making diet adjustments, and using over-the-counter therapies, you should consult your doctor. They may suggest that you see a dermatologist.
And most importantly Don’t forget that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL with or without Acne ❤
Disclaimer: This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
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