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Acne Risk Factors: Facing Facts
March 2, 2007Comments (0)Did you know that some of the acne treatments you use actually do more harm than good? Did you know that where you live has an effect on the condition of your skin? Did you know that playing some sports can contribute to the development of acne? All true.
More than 90% of people between the ages of 12 and 25 years old report experiencing acne, so you?re far from alone. Some report the occasional blemish; others severe acne that causes permanent scarring. Most people fall somewhere in between with flare-ups just a part of life. But there are certain conditions that increase your risk of acne problems and the severity and duration of those problems.
The fact is, there are lifestyle changes that can cut down on the number of blemishes you experience. Coupled with the appropriate medications, changes in your lifestyle can eliminate at least some of the problem ? even in severe cases. Then, there are those things about you that can?t be changed.
What You Can?t Do About Acne
You can?t choose your parents. Or grandparents. Though there?s still some debate among dermatologists, the evidence seems clear that the likelihood of developing an acne problem is partially hereditary. If your parents had acne problems, if your brothers and sisters have acne, you?re at higher risk of developing blemishes.
The other thing you can?t control is hormone levels. Hormones regulate body activities ? everything from stress to sex drive. In teen-agers, sex hormones such as testosterone and androsterone, increase significantly. The effect, of course, is a strong sex drive. One of the unwanted consequences of increased hormonal levels is wider pores. Pores are the small openings in your skin, some of which contain hair follicles. When a pore is clogged with grime or make-up, bacteria gets trapped within the pore and a pimple is the result.
What You Can Do About Acne
Believe it or not, many dermatologists believe that people who live in areas of high humidity are more prone to skin eruptions. So what do you do? Move to a drier climate? Not very practical. However, you can stay out of the heat and avoid exerting yourself on humid days.
Anti-Acne Cosmetics
Most cosmetics will also increase your risk for developing acne. Many cosmetics contain various oily substances. Avoid using make-up that contains: oleic acid, lanolin, lauryl alcohol, petrolatum, vegetable oils or butyl stearate. These ingredients are found in many cosmetics. They?re also found in skin moisturizers, suntan lotions and even over-the-counter acne treatments! That?s right. The very ingredients that can make an acne problem worse are contained in many of the products designed to improve skin health.
Before you buy any oil or alcohol-based skin care product, read the ingredients label to make sure you?re buying products that will actually help and not hurt an acne problem.
Another Acne Risk Factor: Fats and Oils
No, not in the food you eat.
There?s an old myth that eating greasy foods will contribute to the development of acne. Not true. It doesn?t, though there are plenty of good reasons to avoid French fries and other greasy foods to improve your overall good health.
However, fats and oils in the air definitely have a negative impact on an existing skin problem. People who work in fast food restaurants, auto repair shops and even people who live in crowded cities where grime is a part of the daily routine ? all of these individuals are more likely to develop acne. If you fall into one of these groups, it?s essential that you gently cleanse your skin throughout the day to prevent clogged pores that can lead to a flare-up.
Acne and Skin Irritation
If you wear a head band while playing tennis, or a helmet that requires a chin strap, you?ve upped your chances for developing acne.
Football players, wrestlers, lacrosse players ? any athlete who wears a helmet irritates the skin, chafing it with the chin strap. Same thing with a headband. It may keep the sweat out of your eyes but it irritates the skin. And irritated skin is weakened, making it more susceptible to the development of acne.
What Can I Do About These Acne Risk Factors?
No one wants to change his or her life because of acne so, if you enjoy football play football, even if the chin strap irritates your skin. In this case, just take better care of your chin.
If you live in New York City where you can see the air you breathe, wash your face often but avoid doing more skin damage with harsh abrasives. Be nice to your skin. Don?t irritate it even more.
Take breaks during the day to cleanse your face. Warm water and a gentle soap will clean out pores before blemishes can appear. Avoid most of the over-the-counter acne treatments which contain ingredients that actually irritate the skin ? ingredients like alcohol, which cleans pores but is pretty rough on sensitive skin.
Finally, don?t worry about it. You?re part of that 90% majority of teens and young adults who experience acne. It?s no fun, but do your best at keeping the problem under control and live your life.
No that?s good advice.
Labels: acne problem, acne problems, hormonal levels, unwanted consequences
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