5 Steps to Control Chronic Acne

Blog Series Part 1 of 2

Chronic acne though difficult to treat, isn’t impossible. With a few easy-to-use tips, you can learn to work with your chronic acne, and find some relief along your journey toward clear and healthy skin.

Chronic acne is a skin problem that affects people from all age groups across the world. Triggered due to excess androgen in the hormones, it makes the oil glands in the skin of the face, neck, back, shoulders and chest to enlarge and produce more oil (sebum). Bacteria that normally live on the skin surface digest the oil and by-products from this digestion irritate the skin, block the pores and produce blackheads, pimples and cysts.

In most cases, Acne tends to reduce with age, but for some, it could persist and become excessively severe through the years. This condition is referred to as Chronic acne. Now chronic acne can occur due to:

Excess oil production in your skin
Inflammation of the hair follicles, irregular skin cell shedding and bacteria build-up
Medications that triggers the symptoms causing acne

While chronic acne may be difficult to treat, it isn’t impossible. Advancements in the medical world today has opened countless opportunities to fight chronic acne. From off-the-shelf pills and skincare products, acne treatment creams and serum, to laser and acne spot reduction surgeries. But what we’re suggesting here are simple yet effective ways to counter chronic acne. In this 2-part series, we will not only look at ways to control acne, but also explore some of the treatments that are available to combat chronic acne. These are essential tricks and rules to help you work with your chronic acne, and find some relief along your journey towards a clear and healthy skin.

Don’t Pop that Pimple

When you pop a pimple or a white head, you’re doing more harm than good to your skin. This is especially the case when you have chronic acne. Severe acne is normally deep and not many pimples pop easily. You’ll need to push from deep down in the layers of skin, thereby damaging more layers. Popping also results in bright red spots and could take weeks for the whole area to heal. Usually, there is an open wound that is more likely to get bacteria in it again, increasing the chance of getting more acne. And with the bacteria build-up beneath the layers of the skin, you may get more pimples in the surrounding area. You’ll also have more scarring, which could be painful and permanent.

Stay Relaxed

While this is easier said than done. In this day and age, stress has become a way of life and therefore it’s hard to stay relaxed. But stress is also one of the main triggers of chronic acne. Finding a way to relax will not just help reduce acne formation, but it has numerous other health benefits as well. So how does relaxing help reduce chronic acne? Stress is one of the key reasons for hormonal imbalance, that triggers your skin to produce more sebum, which eventually blocks your pores, allowing bacteria to breed on your skin causing acne.

When you relax, your body releases neurotransmitters such as Serotonin , that regulates the mood, prevents depression, makes you feel happy and essentially have a happy skin. So, the secret for a perfect skin is to stay relaxed – because it shows on your skin

Get Adequate Sleep

Sleep deprivation is also a major concern that aggravates acne. If you’re struggling with sleep deprivation, it’s important to understand the cause as it requires immediate attention. Lack of proper sleep does not give time for your body to repair damaged cells, making you feel extremely tired. Lack of sleep also increases the cortisol levels in the body, which causes the skin to secrete more sebum, resulting in acne. Sleep deprivation also causes increased insulin resistance increasing the glucose levels in your body, which can further contribute to chronic acne. When you start to get more sleep, you will find your hormones are better balanced, you feel rejuvenated and active which eventually shows on your skin.

Add Protein to Your Diet

Protein isn’t just for your muscles, but it also produces collagen in your body that helps nurture and rebuild damaged skin. The more collagen you have, the less likely that chronic acne is going to damage your skin permanently. A protein-rich diet can do wonders to your body and most importantly your skin. Consider the likes of lean meat, legumes and nuts for a more complete and healthier diet. While protein forms a crucial part of your perfect meal, don’t forget vitamins and minerals, especially antioxidants. Antioxidants in food helps repair damaged skin cells, supporting their re-growth and formation. While you’re getting more protein and antioxidants, you’ll also need water to keep your collagen levels at a constant. Hydration also helps your skin glow and cleansed, keeping the pores open and free from harmful bacteria.

While acne is a common phenomenon that effects people across age groups, by merely altering your lifestyle, chronic acne can surely be contained. Watch out for Part 2 of this blog, where we will touch upon the various available treatments globally to control chronic acne.