Stop Acne Reinfection

Acne is a skin condition that most often affects the face, but can also affect your back, chest, neck and occasionally your arms and ears. Acne is caused by blockages in your skin's pores. When bacteria is introduced to acne, often through picking at or touching pimples, it can lead to reinfection.Learn how to make sure your skin stays clear of bacteria, and give your skin a better chance of healing up and staying acne-free.

Steps

Developing a Skincare Routine

1. Keep your hands off your face. They can have oils, dirt, and bacteria that will clog your pores and set up the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
   • Even after you wash your hands, your skin still has these oils.
   • Don’t pick or squeeze the pimples as this will create a localized inflammatory response and will also contribute to scarring.
2. Wash your face with cleanser. Do this twice a day. If you tend to get acne around the hairline, shampoo every day as well. This will help to reduce the amount of sebum (the oily secretion from your glands) on your face. However, you will not want to use harsh products or wash vigorously, because this stimulation will increase the oil production and stimulate skin growth, both of which clog your follicles.
3. Avoid facial scrubs. Scrubs, astringents and some exfoliating masks can also irritate the skin and worsen your acne. People without serious acne or sensitive skin issues can exfoliate their face one to two times a week.
4. Use noncomedogenic products. Stop using creams, lotions, makeup, hair products, acne concealers, and sunscreen that are greasy or oily. Look for products that carry the label “noncomedogenic,” which means they are less likely to plug the follicles and cause acne. You should also look for products that are labeled "oil free."
5. Use salicylic acid. Over-the-counter preparations with salicylic acid help reduce the clogging of your pores and follicles. Salicylic acid does not have any effect on the bacteria on your skin or the production of sebum. Cleansers with salicylic acid are a good choice for people with acne.
   • Follow the directions on the product. Yo do not want to over-apply salicylic acid, because it can irritate your skin.
6. Use benzoyl peroxide. This chemical helps reduce bacteria on your skin when applied and can be found in many over-the-counter acne products. It will be listed as an active ingredient if in a product.
   • Benzoyl peroxide may bleach or stain some clothing, so don’t wear a headband or apply to an area with clothing. If you need, test a small area on cloth.

Changing Your Life Routine

1. Use clean linens. Change your pillowcase, sheets, and body and face towels frequently. This goes for anything that commonly is close to your body which may harbor bacteria. If your linens begin to smell funny, discolor, or have different textures, you definitely need to wash it.
   • Wash with hot water and disinfecting laundry soap.
   • If you cannot wash with water, dry clean.
2. Wear only clean clothes. Your clothes pick up and harbor oil from your body’s skin. Especially if you experience acne on other parts of your body, only wearing clean clothes can help combat acne.
   • Change clothes after sweating.
   • Especially change underwear, bras, and other clothing near the affected area.
3. Get some sun. Sun exposure for 10 – 20 minutes per day without sunscreen for light-skinned people and 20 – 30 minutes for dark-skinned people can help to reduce the inflammatory response and bacterial levels on your skin. Take care not to overexpose yourself because getting red or burning will cause greater irritation and create more acne problems, not to mention greatly increasing your risk of skin cancer and skin aging.
   • If you have sensitive or very fair skin, wear sunscreen and skip this step.
   • Everyone needs to wear sunscreen if they go out in the sun for longer than 10 – 30 minutes or are extra sensitive to the sun.
   • Sun exposure increases the amount of vitamin D your body produces naturally, which also has an effect on your sebaceous (oil) glands.
   • Sun also exposes your skin to ultraviolet and red light used in the treatment of acne in your doctor’s office. The light is believed to help reduce the produce of sebum and kill bacteria.
4. Consider maca root powder. Research has shown maca root powder to be effective in balancing hormone levels in menopausal and premenopausal women to reduce their symptoms. By balancing your normal hormone levels you can have an effect on the number of acne breakouts you experience.
   • Maca root powder is derived from the maca plant grown in central Peru for over 3000 years. It has been used for centuries in Peru and is gaining popularity across the world as a means of balancing your hormone levels.
   • Maca root powder may not be readily available to you; it is an optional treatment.
   • Talk to your doctor before trying maca root powder.
5. Control your stress. Stress is something that we all experience and it is healthy in small amounts. However, living a stressed out life means that your adrenal glands are over-producing cortisol, a hormone that can increase the amount of oil you produce on your skin and therefore your acne.
   • There are many techniques for controlling and managing your stress levels. Learning how to deal with stress and how to relieve stress can improve your ability to stay calm and unstressed.
   • Some people feel like their skin is in a downward spiral: they are stressed, so they get acne; so they get more stressed about the acne, and the acne gets worse; and so on.
   • Talk to your doctor or a therapist if you are having problems managing stress on your own
6. Consider over-the-counter retinoids. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A which will reduce the amount of hypertrophy to your sebaceous glands. You can find over-the-counter acne and anti-aging preparations which contain low doses of retinoids. Many people respond to the over-the-counter strength products well.
   • Retinoids are not for everyone. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor or the pharmacist at the drugstore with retinoids.
   • You can also get retinoids from a doctor's prescription. Over-the-counter forms have lower doses of retinoids.
   • Don't use retinoids if you are or may become pregnant.
7. Get vitamin D. Vitamin D is another option to help reduce the overgrowth of your sebaceous glands. You need 10 – 20 minutes of sun exposure a day for your body to make vitamin D. However, this is effective only when it is sunny. You may also want to consider a vitamin D3 supplement daily.
   • Most people are deficient in Vitamin D because of lack of exposure to the sun and because it is not naturally found in many foods.
   • If you take a supplement, 4,000 IU a day are safe for adults, 3,000 IU a day for children to age four to eight and 2,500 IU for children age one to three years.

Seeing a Dermatologist

1. Consider prescription retinoids. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A which will reduce the amount of hypertrophy to your sebaceous glands. You can find over-the-counter acne preparations with lower doses of retinoids than you’ll get from a prescription.
   • However, many people respond to the over-the-counter strength products well and do not need prescriptions.
   • Ask your doctor if you need a prescription or if over the counter is a better option for you.
2. Consider oral contraceptives. Women with bad acne have the option to use oral contraceptives to control their hormonal levels. This also has the advantage helping to balance other secondary effects of the hormones, such as irritability and water weight gain.
   • You need a prescription to get contraceptives that affect your hormones.
   • Don't use oral contraceptives if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
3. Ask about Accutane. Accutane is an anti-acne medication for treatment of severe acne and requires a prescription. If you have sebaceous gland hypertrophy or severe acne, ask your doctor if Accutane is right for you.
   • You will need to have your blood monitored every month while taking the medication and may experience side effects for several months after using it.
   • Do not use Accutane unless you fully understand the risks of the medication. Accutane can have long-term effects on your health and wellness.
   • You cannot take Accutane if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
4. Ask about phototherapy. Phototherapy is a treatment option you can perform at home by purchasing special equipment, or you can choose to ask your dermatologist.
   • Research supports this treatment, which is simple and easy to perform. Technically, exposure to sunlight is phototherapy. However, in climates where the sun doesn’t shine enough hours or you can’t get outside when the sun is out, you can purchase a phototherapy unit.
   • Use the unit to treat your acne as directed and using the safety precautions listed on the unit.
   • Possible side effects from using these units include skin that becomes red, peels or changes skin tone.
   • Your doctor may also perform photodynamic therapy in the office. This involves applying a medication to the skin, which is then activated by a special light. This is more effective than a light treatment alone.
5. Talk to your doctor about antibiotics. Oral and topical antibiotics may be used to treat acne, especially when reinfection is a concern. Topical antibiotics can be used long-term, usually along with benzoyl peroxide or retinoids. Oral antibiotics are usually used short-term to get a bad breakout under control.
   • Antibiotics are especially useful for inflammatory acne, which is acne with a lot of red bumps, pimples, or cysts.

Tips

• These substances do not cause acne at all, despite popular belief: chocolate; greasy food; sexual activity or masturbation
• If you are taking medication, ask your doctor if acne is a side effect.
• You might think greasy food in your diet is causing your acne if you eat greasy food with your hands and touch your face without washing your hands.

Warnings

• Do not use accutane unless you fully understand the risks of the medication. Accutane can have long-term effects on your health and wellness.
• Talk to your doctor before using acne products, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Care for Your Face (Males)
• Heal Raw Skin
• Use a Glycolic Acid Peel
• Know if Sunscreen Has Expired
• Heal over Exfoliated Skin
• Use Pore Strips
• Wear a Face Shield
• Stop Hard Water from Ruining Your Skin
• Choose a Natural Sunscreen
• Wear Makeup when You Have Eczema

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