Let’s face it, acne is one of the toughest skin issues to deal with. The appearance of acne can damage one’s self-esteem and cause unsightly scars or dark spots on the skin.

While teenagers are most commonly affected by acne, adults can get it too. But we’ve got good news for you: with proper lifestyle changes and professional treatment of acne, you can say hello to brighter and healthier skin!

What Are The Different Forms Of Acne?

Acne comes in various forms such as blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules. They don’t just appear on the face but on the back, chest, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and buttocks as well.  And as mentioned above, anyone can get it. Anyone.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology¹, a clogged pore in the skin causes the appearance of acne. The clog begins with dead skin cells that rise to the surface of the pore. The body produces sebum, which is oil that keeps the skin from drying out. Dead skin cells then stick together inside the pore and can be trapped inside. Bacteria, which thrive on the skin, can get inside the pore – the perfect environment for them to multiply quickly. This results in the skin being red and swollen. If the inflammation gets deeper, an acne cyst or nodule appears. The good news is that this can all be nipped in the bud by following some of these simple lifestyle changes:

Watch What You Eat

Certain food can cause a spike in blood sugar, boosting insulin. The overproduction of insulin in the bloodstream allows for changes that can lead to the growth of pore-clogging cells. Stick to whole grains, beans, and vegetables, and cut down on carbohydrates such as pasta, white rice, white bread, and sugar.

Get Out And Get Active

Stress is definitely one of the main causes of acne outbreaks! Good thing there’s exercise to help cut down on stress. Not only are you burning off unwanted fat, exercise can also increase blood circulation, which sends oxygen to your skin cells and carries waste away. Of course, remember to always take a nice shower after a workout as sweat can irritate skin – and lead to breakouts.

Inject Some Omega-3 Fatty Acids Into Your Diet

Leukotriene B4 is a molecule that can increase sebum and cause inflammatory acne. Good ol’ Omega-3 fatty acids can control its production; so make an effort to include this in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in food such as walnuts, avocados, flaxseed oil, and salmon.

Wash Your Face Properly

Daily exposure to makeup, sweat, smog, dust, and dirt clogs the pores. If you don’t wash properly, these build up on your skin and fill pores, resulting in unsightly blackheads and pimples. Double cleanse your face thoroughly with a cleansing oil and gentle cleanser twice a day.

Hydrate

Each bodily process depends on how hydrated you are. Water cleanses the liver and kidneys letting the body efficiently excrete hormones, so always drink the recommended eight glasses of water per day. Better hydration, better skin. It’s a win-win.

Acne Management Treatments At Amaris B. Clinic

Along with some lifestyle changes, taking care of the skin can be maintained with tailor-made acne management treatments by Dr. Ivan Puah at Amaris B. Clinic, for both men and women.

Depending on the severity of the condition, Dr. Puah can address your acne concerns – non-inflammatory acne (comedones) which includes blackheads and whiteheads; inflammatory acne such as papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts; and even acne scarring and marks. To control or treat acne spots, blemishes, scars, and the reduction of post-acne pigmentation, Dr. Ivan Puah can recommend oral medications or antibiotics, specialised medical-grade peels, dermabrasion, laser acne treatment, and acne care products.

No matter how severe the condition is for acne, chin up! It’s comforting to know that this can be managed through a few lifestyle changes and professional treatments made available at Amaris B. Clinic. Feeling positive about yourself is well within reach so you can pop a smile (but never a pimple!) whether at the beach, gym, or just about anywhere.

Visit the Amaris B. Clinic page to find out more about Dr. Ivan’s work.

^{Specialists in:  Liposcution, Breast Enhancement with ADR-C, Gynecomastia Surgery}

^{Sponsored by Amaris B. Clinic}

^{Edited by Amber Valencia
Image credit: Shutterstock}

_Sources:

^{https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/acne#causes}

^{http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/lifestyle#1
References:
1 https://www.aad.org/public/kids/skin/acne-pimples-zits/different-kinds-of-pimples}

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