As teenagers, a common wish we have is that by the time you’re in your 20s and 30s, acne is no longer your pesky tenant. In a world where 85 % of people have experienced acne, we all can relate to that sinking moment when you wake up and a bright, new friend is staring back at you, squarely placed in the middle of your chin or the tip of your nose! Well, there’s good news and bad news. Bad news is acne can follow you into adulthood, good news is we know how to deal with it explains leading Dermatologist Dr Bhardwaj.
What’s going on with your skin?
Two words: Hormonal fluctuation.
“Due to an underlying cause, there is an increase in testosterone production, which in turn, increases the amount of oil pumping through your pores” explains Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj, a prominent dermatologist at Skin & Hair Clinic, New Delhi. “This extra oil clogs your pores, leading to that dreaded acne flare-up”
The reason for this hormone fluctuation depends on person to person. In some cases, daily factors such as lifestyle changes (diets, stress) are the culprit, other times is due to some underlying pathology (such as PCOS, PMS, pregnancy). If you’re getting a flare-up, go to your dermatologist to find what’s going on with your body’s biology.
Keeping your skin a pimple-free zone.
First and foremost, consult your dermatologist. Identifying and treating the underlying cause is the first step towards a pimple free life. Teenage acne is seen more on the forehead, cheeks and nose whereas adult acne is more likely to show up on the jawline and neck. It can range from small, red dots to clusters of cystic acne, along with whiteheads and blackheads. Once you understand what’s going on the inside, let’s try balancing it with the outside.
Tips for an acne free life:
• Decrease your stress: Be it yoga or going to therapy, find a way that helps you reduce the stress in your life. In fact, when women are stressed about getting a pimple, the chances of getting one increases, thus getting caught in a vicious cycle! De-cluttering your life helps clear your soul and your skin
• Eat well, look better: Know your body and its cravings. While a burger and fries may give you momentary happiness, the wreck they havoc is not worth it. Try eating fresh, healthy food while drinking a lot of liquid (2 liters/day) that make you shine from the inside out. Cut back on dairy products and meats to reduce hormonal intake. Research your food before eating it.
• Too much of a good thing is never recommended: You could be washing your face too often and too intensely. Wash your face twice a day with lukewarm water, wiping your face with a softer washcloth. If you feel to clean more often, use a gentle cleanser or salicylic acid to remove the dirt
• Do not pop that zit: There are several videos on the internet showing how to pop a pimple, but no matter how tempted you are, leave it to the professionals.
• Make sure you’re using the right products: Certain make ups and creams clog up your pores, leading to oily skin and acne flare ups. Make sure you’re letting your skin breathe by using hypoallergic makeup and cleaning your face soon after.
In my years as a dermatologist, I’ve seen people who have struggled with acne all their life to adults who haven’t had a blemish until they turned 20. No matter who it is, they all feel disheartened and bothered by the sudden appearance of an unwanted guest. It’s not uncommon to hear people cancelling their plans because their acne has plummeted their self-esteem.
Having a zit right before a party, an event or even everyday always bothers a person, but following a basic regimen can limit the surprise factor.
Exercise 30 minutes a day, aerobic medium-high intensity to open up your pores
Sprinkle some flaxseed or have a cup of probiotic curd at breakfast to help deal with inflammation. Limit your sugar intake to 25 grams of added sugar a day.
Get a stress ball or listen to your favourite music as counters to the stresses of the day.
Use a gentle scrub to exfoliate dead cells, dirt, blackheads and whiteheads.
Use a water-based moisturizer to reduce the oiliness of the skin. While most women start using anti-aging creams in their 20’s, the thick texture is not optimum for the thin skin for women.
Between getting the proper medications and tweaking your daily schedule, you can the clear, glowing skin you’ve always wanted. But if you still get a visit from the pimple fairy, don’t stress yourself and let it get you down. A few bumps in the road make for a more exciting journey.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is Honorary Dermatologist at President Estate Clinic in Rashtrapati Bhawan. New Delhi.