1. Prompt Care:
It’s often said that it’s normal to have acne during puberty and that it will go away naturally after 30. However, this is not the case. While acne during puberty is common due to the surge of androgens, which cause excessive sebum production and follicular keratinization, each pimple is a small wound. If these small wounds are not actively treated and managed, the risk of infection, inflammation, and scarring increases. If there are more than three red, swollen pimples on the face at once, immediate care is necessary.
2. Avoid Inflammatory Reactions:
nflammation is the body's immune response fighting off external bacteria. It’s crucial to soothe the skin quickly, as prolonged or repeated inflammation can lead to adverse effects. Inflammation can also cause the rupture of the follicular wall, allowing the inflammation to spread to the dermis, creating deeper wounds that may easily form acne scars. The more severe the inflammation, the greater the chance of scarring.
3. Prioritize Care for Inflammatory Skin Damage:
If you have sensitive skin and acne, it’s important to tackle the sensitivity and acne issues together. Although both are chronic skin conditions, during acute flare-ups, resolving them should be your top priority. Balancing the skin’s protective barrier, reducing oil production, preventing infections, and maintaining a healthy skin microbiome are key to improving chronic inflammation.
4. Carefully Treat Skin Prone to Hyperpigmentation:
Skin prone to hyperpigmentation is more likely to develop post-acne marks. Age is also a significant factor affecting skin regeneration; acne scars that used to fade in a week in younger skin may now take much longer to heal. When dealing with acne scars, sun protection is crucial. Different strategies should be used for red and dark acne marks:
Red acne marks: Focus on calming and anti-inflammatory treatments to restore pigment.
Dark acne marks: Focus on inhibiting melanin transfer and enhancing skin metabolism.
5. Never Squeeze or Pick at Pimples: Many people find it hard to resist squeezing pimples, especially when they have whiteheads, thinking that doing so will make them better. However, improper squeezing can push the inflammation deeper into the follicle and dermis, spreading the infection and increasing the risk of scars and dark spots. In extreme cases, using a needle to puncture the pimple can cause permanent pigmentation scars. It’s also important not to touch acne-prone areas frequently, as it can lead to localized infections.
