Self-care tips for acne

From time to time, it may seem like your skin is difficult to manage, particularly when you wake up with a huge zit on your face. A skincare routine is vital in order to maintain clear and healthy skin.

Self-care is a part of your acne skincare routine can not only work to improve acne but also help to develop healthier habits.

What is acne?

Are you wondering what acne is ? Acne is a skin condition that causes spots or blemishes. Acne happens when tiny pores on the surface of the skin become blocked. The pores can become plugged by substances on the surface of the skin.

Identifying the types of acne

Acne comes in various forms and sizes and the first step to making an effective skincare routine is recognizing which type of acne troubles you.

• Blackheads: Blackheads appear as small black dots on the skin. They usually occur on the face but can also be seen on the back, neck, chest, shoulders and arms.
• Whiteheads: Whiteheads appear as small white round bumps on the skin’s surface. They range in size from almost invisible to big, evident marks and can appear on the face or all over the body.
• When blocked pores become increasingly infected, they grow in size and go deeper into the skin. If pimples get trapped beneath the skin’s surface, they can form papules: red, sore spots which can’t be popped.
• Pustules: Pustules are very similar to papules. The difference is that pustules are filled with liquid pus, giving them a white or yellowish look similar to sores.
• Nodules: A nodule is an abnormal tissue growth that can either develop just below the skin’s surface or anywhere within the skin’s three layers. Nodules commonly form in regions such as the face, neck, armpits and groin, although they can also develop on internal organs such as the lungs, thyroid and lymph nodes.

Causes of Acne

Some of the most prevalent causes of acne or reasons for pimples are listed below.

Hormonal changes - Hormonal changes in men and women are one of the most common causes of acne on the face and other parts of the body. The excess oil produced by these hormones is responsible for blocking hair follicles. Hormonal changes in women occur throughout adolescence, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, birth control pill use, and menopause. Each of them can be responsible for the development of acne. Acne can also be caused by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Genetics - The persistence and causation of acne are both influenced by heredity. According to a study by The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), if both parents have acne, a child is more likely to get severe acne at a young age.

Drugs - Some medications can cause severe breakouts and are a leading cause of pimples on the face in some people.

Stress- The effects of stress on the body have been studied extensively for decades. Although it is unclear whether stress is a direct cause of acne on the face, it can aggravate existing acne.

Bacteria - Propionibacterium acnes is a bacteria that thrives in the oily part of the skin's pores. The bacterium can worsen an immune response, resulting in red, swollen lumps, and is a common cause of acne or pimples on the face.

Diet — certain foods, particularly carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, bagels, and chips, can induce acne or pimples.

Cosmetics - Certain cosmetics that have been worn for a long time can cause pimples on the face. Certain face creams, foundation creams, overnight creams, and moisturizers have been linked to pimples and acne.

Impact of Acne

Despite the fact that it is a skin issue, pimples are known to harm the patient's mental health more than the skin. A person's self-esteem is greatly enhanced by having clear, healthy skin. Because pimples can significantly alter a person's physical appearance, they have a huge impact on self-confidence and self-image.

Acne has a negative impact on adolescents' quality of life, according to a study conducted by the Brazilian Society of Dermatology with adolescents in Greece, according to the findings; the effect is related to the severity of acne.

More severe acne is linked to a lower quality of life, with implications for self-esteem, body image, and interpersonal relationships.