How to Know What Causes Your Acne Year-Round
You should be past the challenges that created teenage acne now that you’re older, right? Your sporadic breakouts throughout the year, on the other hand, would suggest differently. Hormones aren’t the only cause of those annoying pimples, though.
Blackheads, whiteheads, and tiny pustules are common features of mild acne. Acne can also comprise papules, which encompass one-fourth to three-fourths of the face or body in their moderate form. Adult acne with severe redness, swelling, irritation, and deep cysts is more common. Another disorder called “adult acne” is rosacea, which differs from classic acne in that the pimples are usually smaller and occur all at once, in cycles. Here’s why you may be getting acne year-round.
There are two main culprits of acne: hormones and changes in weather.
Common Causes of Acne
Hormones
Acne is primarily a hormonal disorder triggered by androgen hormones, which peak in activity between adolescence and early adulthood. Acne is caused by sensitivity to these hormones, which can be exacerbated by surface germs on the skin and fatty acids in the oil glands. Such is the case with menstruating and pregnant women. This is a time when your hormones are performing somersaults, which leads to breakouts. So regardless of the time of year, just being a woman in her prime gives you a higher chance of developing acne.
Changes in Weather
It’s no secret that our moods are influenced by the weather. However, it’s less well understood that your skin can be affected by the surrounding environment as well. Sure, we all know that sunburn is a possibility on hot, sunny days, but there’s more to it. As a result of the changing weather, the skin becomes vulnerable to everything Mother Nature may hurl at us. Each page flip on the calendar brings a different environmental shift that can influence our skin.
During the spring and summer months, the beating sun and resulting heat makes us sweat and expose our skin to higher levels of UV. The cold temperatures and strong wind speeds in the fall and winter are known to dry out skin like no other. Both hot and cold weather patterns create the perfect storm for breakouts.
Managing Acne
This tough-to-handle condition can be managed with the support of your healthcare practitioner or a board-certified dermatologist. Several drugs and treatments have been shown to be beneficial. They are designed to address the underlying causes of acne. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may consider any of the following solutions:
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are frequently used to treat acne that is mild to severe.
Birth Control
Breakouts caused by menstrual periods can be alleviated using oral contraceptives.
Lasers
Lasers are currently mostly used to treat acne scars. The body’s healing response is used to manufacture new, healthy collagen when a laser heats the scarred collagen beneath the skin. This promotes the formation of new skin to replace the old. Ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing are two forms of laser therapy. Your dermatologist will assess which type is appropriate for you based on your skin type and acne scarring severity.
Chemical Peels
This therapy removes the top layer of old skin with the help of specific chemicals. When the top layer is removed, the new skin that grows in is usually smoother and likely to fade old acne scars.
Regular Use of Sunscreen
Protect yourself from sun damage on skin, as it can trigger the onset of acne.
Moisturize and Cleanse Regularly
This will clear away dead skin, allowing your pores to breathe and preventing acne.
If you happen to be in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group can give you more insightful information. Book a consultation with us today to find out more about your skin’s health.