Empower your acne treatment journey with 7 key insights. Get essential tips for clearer, healthier skin.

Empower Your Acne Treatment: 7 Key Insights for Success

Is acne giving you trouble? Learn the facts about acne and the best way to treat it. Many people experience acne: as many as 80 per cent of all people will have at least one outbreak in their lifetime! Because it affects so many of us, everyone has an opinion on how to treat it. Read on as this article will expand on 7 things you need to know about acne and the facts about the treatments available for it.

1. Adolescent Onset Acne

Acne typically begins at puberty (adolescent onset acne) with boys and girls alike experiencing skin breakouts associated with the hormonal upheavals of the teenage years. Androgens disrupt the follicular pore, enlarging the factory that creates sebum to then ultimately plug the pore.

2. Clothing and Itch

For adults, collared shirts can worsen acne. Some back-to-school breakouts can be explained by equipment, such as helmets or backpacks.

3. Genetics

A family history of acne makes you more susceptible and prone to severe acne. If your parents had acne as teens, they might have passed some genes on to you that could influence your acne.

4. Female-Specific Factors

Women’s hormones, often related to menstrual cycles, are a cause of acne outbreaks. The hormonal shifts of pregnancy and postpartum periods can likewise trigger acne.

5. Menopause

With age, many women experience menopause, which brings about changes to the hormones. Androgen imbalances can cause reactive acne in adult women. Heavy makeup application over blemishes clogs pores and makes the problem worse.

6. The Stress Connection

Stress, especially in adults, causes the body to release more cortisol, which aggravates acne. Manage stress with tension-relieving techniques and meditation.

7. Prevention and Treatment of Acne

Don’t pick or squeeze blemishes to avoid infection. Gently cleanse the skin without harsh products. Over-the-counter solutions contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur or salicylic acid. Moderately severe to serious cases require prescription topical or oral agents to limit bacterial growth and inflammation.

Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be empowered to beat acne. Visit to learn more about how to find the best treatment for your skin and lifestyle.

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Questions and answers:

What age group is most susceptible to developing acne?

The most common form, good old ‘pimples’, generally occurs during adolescence, between about 11 and 13 years old.

Can tight clothing aggravate acne in adults?

Yep, tight clothing, especially around the collar, can make matters worse for those who are acne-prone and lead to more breakouts.

Is there a genetic factor in the development of acne?

Yes, there are a number of studies showing that a family history of acne can lead to both an increased risk of acne and a more severe case of it.

How do hormonal fluctuations in women affect acne?

Hormonal shifts at all stages of a woman’s life – during menstruation, during pregnancy, and during menopause – have been shown to trigger acne.

Can stress contribute to acne breakouts?

Yes, because cortisol is released under stress and stress can aggravate pre-existing acne, and relaxation techniques can be a way of keeping acne breakouts under strain.

What are some effective over-the-counter acne treatments?

Available over-the-counter versions can contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid to target bacteria or reduce the amount of oil on the skin.

Of course, not everyone’s experience with acne and acne medication is the same, and it’s worth consulting a dermatologist before making decisions about treatment.