Top 5 Facts about Acne
#5: Your Phone Is Giving You Zits
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We know that stress, lifestyle choices, and hormonal changes can lead to acne, but there’s a more common cause of those annoying little bumps on our faces: our phones. Acne along our cheeks and jawline has been linked to mobile devices due to the bacteria and heat of the touch screens. Huh, maybe we really should stick to texting… But phones aren’t the only common products that have it in for your beautiful skin: hair care products, like those that give your locks that beautiful shine, end up on your forehead, which can block the pores. Also, having your hair rest against your forehead can cause irritation, so sorry to those of you who want to rock those bangs. To you baseball cap and beanie wearers, hats cause acne along the forehead as well.
#4: If You Get a Lot of Breakouts, Thank Your Parents
What did we do to deserve this facial suffering? Beyond what we’ve already covered, it turns out that you may not have done anything at all. Studies show that genetics have a surprisingly large part to play when it comes to acne. How large? Nearly 80% of acne is due to the presence of certain inherited genes. Unfortunately, that’s all we know at the moment: we don’t know which genes cause acne, because they kind of work outside the laws of genetics – or at least in a pattern we can’t see yet. This is especially tricky since it seems like EVERYONE has to deal with acne at some point in their lives. So, until further notice, keep a steady skincare regimen and pray to the gods and goddesses of Clearasil.
#3: You Really Should Not Pop Those Spots
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We’re sorry to break this to you, but acne doesn’t clear up instantly... even if your favorite TV stars are over it in one episode. That’s the magic of Hollywood, but the reality is that breakouts usually take between 6 to 8 weeks to clear up. A lot of people’s impulse is to take two fingers and pop that sucker, but that can do more harm than good. Popping zits will not only make them redder and more noticeable, but can actually harm your skin. Doing that will possibly lead to permanent discoloration marks or scarring. If you really want to remove that zit, your best bet is to get some salicylic acid and tackle that pesky pimple cleanly and efficiently. But if that or some good old toothpaste doesn’t work, go to a dermatologist.
#2: You Can Be TOO Clean
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Yes, there is such a thing as cleaning your face TOO much. Excessive cleaning not only stops your skin from naturally generating the oils it NEEDS; it also aggravates the skin, which can lead to even more pimples and make the problem worse. So, gently wash your face when it seems like it could use a good cleaning, like at night after you’ve had a long day wearing make-up, or after you’ve had a really sweaty workout. You can also use a light gel-based moisturizer or a retinoid product, which will clean up your pores, nip those black or whiteheads, and get rid of some of the redness. If, after all that, you’re still not satisfied – or just too impatient to wait out the weeks – it is possible to get steroid or cortisone injections to help flatten the zit within 72 hours, but this should ONLY be done by a dermatologist.
#1: Acne Doesn’t Necessarily Go Away as You Get Older
Whether they can be classified as blackheads or papules, these splotches on our faces are a NUISANCE. From the moment we braved the trials of being a teenager, we couldn’t wait until the day we’d have clear skin. Well, as it turns out being an adult doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. It’s called “adult onset acne,” and is most common in women – of course. And for ladies in their late 40s and early 50s, acne can come about for the same reasons it happens to teens, but instead of puberty, it’s the fluctuating hormones of menopause that cause it. There’s also stress, family history, the products we use, and even certain medications that affect our skin. Essentially, keep that skincare regimen in the back of your mind juuuuust in case. So did we clear things up? What acne tricks do you rely on to keep your skin feeling fresh? For more pimple-free top 10s and clean top 5s, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.
